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Just one kiss

In this 2007 photo, Glenn McDuffie holds a portrait of himself as a young man, left, and a copy of Alfred Eisenstaedt’s iconic Life magazine shot of a sailor, who McDuffie claims is him, embracing a nurse in a white uniform in New York’s Times Square. (Associated Press)
Catherine Johnston
In this 2007 photo, Glenn McDuffie holds a portrait of himself as a young man, left, and a copy of Alfred Eisenstaedt’s iconic Life magazine shot of a sailor, who McDuffie claims is him, embracing a nurse in a white uniform in New York’s Times Square. (Associated Press)
In this 2007 photo, Glenn McDuffie holds a portrait of himself as a young man, left, and a copy of Alfred Eisenstaedt’s iconic Life magazine shot of a sailor, who McDuffie claims is him, embracing a nurse in a white uniform in New York’s Times Square. (Associated Press)

Glenn McDuffie has died. The 86-year-old man passed away in Houston. Remember him?  You know his kiss .

In 1945, the 18-year-old sailor was changing trains in New York when he learned Japan had surrendered.  World War II had ended. He felt ecstatic and saw a nurse in Times Square who noticed him hollering with joy; he simply grabbed her and kissed her – no words were spoken. The kiss was enough. Then McDuffie left her and caught his train to Brooklyn.

A Life magazine photographer caught the moment on camera and immortalized the kiss – and the joy of that historical day.

Glenn McDuffie wanted to prove he was the man in the photo. Six years ago he sought the assistance of a forensic artist who worked with him and the photo – matching muscles, ear and other features.  A perfect match, claimed the artist.

McDuffie enjoyed the next years of celebrity as he told his story at parties and local events. Women even paid him $10 to kiss him on the cheek.

Each of us has a special moment forever in our hearts – Glenn McDuffie was lucky enough to share his passionate kiss with one woman and their moment with the world - immortalized for Life.

(S-R photo: In this 2007 photo, Glenn McDuffie holds a portrait of himself as a young man, left, and a copy of Alfred Eisenstaedt’s iconic Life magazine shot of a sailor, who McDuffie claims is him, embracing a nurse in a white uniform in New York’s Times Square.)

* This story was originally published as a post from the blog "EndNotes." Read all stories from this blog