It is the photo that launched a thousand postcards. You know the one. A sailor in a dark uniform dips a woman in a white dress back, kissing her passionately in the middle of a crowded New York City street. Most people call it the kissing soldier and nurse statue, though technically, it depicts a sailor and a dental assistant. It’s an image that has become the universal shorthand for the end of World War II, a frozen moment of pure, unadulterated relief.
But when you stand beneath the massive, 25-foot-tall 3D recreations of this moment—specifically the famous Unconditional Surrender sculptures by J. Seward Johnson—the vibe changes. It’s big. It’s colorful. And honestly? It is incredibly controversial. What looks like a romantic embrace to one person looks like a problematic lack of consent to another.
If you’ve ever walked along the bayfront in Sarasota, Florida, or visited the USS Midway in San Diego, you’ve seen it. It’s impossible to miss. But the story of how that photo became a statue, and why some people want it torn down while others treat it like a shrine, is way more complicated than a simple "Welcome Home" greeting.
The Reality of V-J Day in Times Square
Let’s get the facts straight first because the internet loves to mess these up. The original photograph was taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt on August 14, 1945. This was V-J Day (Victory over Japan Day). People were literally pouring into the streets of Manhattan because the war was finally, actually over.
The man in the photo was George Mendonsa. He was a sailor on leave. The woman was Greta Zimmer Friedman. Here is the kicker: they didn't know each other. They weren't a couple. George was actually on a date with another woman—his future wife, Rita Petry—who is actually visible in the background of some of the other shots taken that day.
George had been drinking. He saw a woman in a white uniform, thought she was a nurse (she was actually a dental assistant), and in a moment of intoxicated euphoria, he grabbed her and kissed her.
Greta later said in interviews, specifically with the Veterans History Project in 2005, that it wasn't a choice. She said, "It wasn't my choice to be kissed. The guy just came over and grabbed!" She described him as having a "very strong grip." This wasn't a movie scene. It was a chaotic, spontaneous, and arguably aggressive reaction to the end of a global conflict that had killed millions.
Why the Unconditional Surrender Statue is Everywhere
The sculptor J. Seward Johnson didn't just make one of these. He made several, and he made them in different sizes. The most famous versions are the massive, "megasize" foam-and-aluminum or bronze statues.
🔗 Read more: Boavista Golf Resort: Why This Lagos Course Is Better Than the Hype
The most permanent and prominent one is in Sarasota, Florida. It’s a lightning rod for local politics. Some residents find it kitschy and "pop art" in a way that devalues the serious nature of the nearby war memorials. Others love it because it brings in tourists who want that classic Instagram shot.
The statues are technically based on a different photo of the same kiss, taken by Victor Jorgensen, which is in the public domain. This is a legal loophole that allowed Johnson to create the work without infringing on the copyright of the more famous Eisenstaedt photo owned by Life magazine.
The Controversy: Romance or Assault?
We have to talk about the "Vandalism" and the protests. In 2019, shortly after George Mendonsa died, the Sarasota statue was spray-painted with "#MeToo" in bright red letters.
This sparked a massive debate that is still happening today. For the older generation, the kissing soldier and nurse statue represents the "Greatest Generation" and the collective sigh of relief of a nation. It represents the end of the draft, the end of rationing, and the return of brothers and sons.
For many younger viewers and cultural critics, the statue depicts a non-consensual sexual encounter. When you scale that up to 25 feet, the power imbalance becomes literal. You are looking at a much larger man physically overpowering a woman who has her arms pinned to her sides.
💡 You might also like: One World Trade Center: Why This New York Icon Is More Than Just a Pretty Skyline
This isn't just "woke" revisionist history. It’s an acknowledgment of Greta's own testimony. She was clear that there was no romance involved. She didn't even see him coming. However, she also famously held no ill will toward George, stating she understood the context of the day. It’s a messy, human situation that doesn't fit neatly into a "good" or "bad" box.
Where Can You See the Statue Today?
If you want to see the kissing soldier and nurse statue in person, you have a few main options. Each location gives the sculpture a slightly different context.
- Sarasota, Florida: Located at Bayfront Park. This is the big one. It’s been there on-and-off (mostly on) since 2007. It stands near the "Spirit of 76" statue.
- San Diego, California: Situated near the USS Midway Museum. This version is bronze and is a permanent fixture of the Tuna Harbor Park. It feels very "Navy town" here, and it’s a massive draw for veterans.
- Hamilton, New Jersey: Grounds For Sculpture. This is where J. Seward Johnson’s works are often displayed or maintained.
- Pearl Harbor, Hawaii: A version was temporarily placed here, which sparked its own set of debates given the solemnity of the site.
Technical Details of the Sculpture
The 25-foot version isn't just a hunk of metal. It’s an engineering feat.
Building something that top-heavy—with a man leaning over a woman—requires a massive internal steel skeleton. Most versions are made of a composite material involving Styrofoam and a hard "poly-urea" coating, finished with high-quality paint to make it look like a plastic toy or a painted bronze.
The "Unconditional Surrender" series is part of Johnson's larger "Icons Revisited" collection. He liked taking 2D images that are burned into the American consciousness and making them 3D. He did the same thing with Marilyn Monroe’s "flying skirt" from The Seven Year Itch.
Why the "Nurse" Tag Sticks
Even though Greta Zimmer Friedman was a dental assistant, everyone calls her "the nurse."
Why? Because in 1945, a woman in a white dress and white shoes was a nurse in the public imagination. George Mendonsa himself said he grabbed her specifically because he had seen nurses caring for wounded sailors at sea and felt a debt of gratitude.
In his mind, he wasn't kissing a woman; he was kissing the concept of the healthcare workers who saved his friends. This adds a layer of psychological complexity. It doesn't negate the lack of consent, but it explains the motivation. It wasn't lust; it was a manic, distorted form of "thank you."
What to Do When Visiting
If you are planning a trip to see the kissing soldier and nurse statue, don't just take a selfie and leave.
🔗 Read more: Grand Hotel Scarborough: What Most People Get Wrong About This Victorian Icon
Check out the plaques. In Sarasota, there is often a push-pull of signage explaining the history. In San Diego, the proximity to the USS Midway allows you to see the scale of the ships these men lived on. It provides the "why" behind the desperation of that kiss.
Think about the perspective. Walk around the back of the statue. Look at the way the sailor’s hand is positioned. Look at the dental assistant’s feet—one is lifted off the ground.
Actionable Steps for the Curious Traveler
- Read the primary source: Look up the Library of Congress interview with Greta Zimmer Friedman. Hearing the story in her own voice changes how you see the bronze figures.
- Visit the San Diego location at sunset: The bronze reflects the light off the bay in a way that is genuinely beautiful, regardless of your stance on the sculpture's meaning.
- Check the local news before you go: These statues are frequently moved or undergo restoration. The Sarasota statue, for instance, has been hit by cars and moved for construction projects multiple times.
- Explore the USS Midway: If you're in San Diego, the statue is just the appetizer. The real history is on the flight deck of the carrier parked right next to it.