In Alfred Eisenstaedt's V-J Day photo, who was the woman later identified as the dental assistant?

Greta Zimmer Friedman was the dental assistant later identified as the woman in Alfred Eisenstaedt’s V-J Day photograph.

Friedman was in Times Square on August 14, 1945, wearing a white uniform, when a sailor grabbed and kissed her during the celebrations. Eisenstaedt photographed the moment, but he did not obtain the names of either person because events were moving quickly.

For decades, several women claimed to be the subject. Friedman recognized herself in the photograph and contacted Life magazine. Later research, including comparisons with photographs and her account, supported her identification. She explained in a 2005 Library of Congress interview that the kiss was not her choice and described it as a jubilant act by the sailor.

The image is often popularly described as romantic, but Friedman’s own account emphasized that the moment was unexpected and nonconsensual. The sailor was later identified as George Mendonsa.