What was Greta Zimmer Friedman’s occupation in Alfred Eisenstaedt’s V-J Day photograph?

Greta Zimmer Friedman was a dental assistant in Alfred Eisenstaedt’s V-J Day photograph.

The image is often described as showing a sailor kissing a nurse, largely because Friedman wore a white uniform. Friedman later explained that she was a dental assistant, not a nurse, and that the sailor suddenly grabbed and kissed her during the celebration in Times Square.

Friedman was born in Austria and came to the United States as a Jewish refugee. She worked as a dental assistant in New York City. Her account helped clarify that the moment was a spontaneous act of celebration rather than a planned pose between two people who knew each other.

The photograph’s sailor remained uncertain for many years, while several men claimed the role. The picture was also captured from a different angle by Victor Jorgensen. These details explain why the scene is famous but also why popular retellings often contain mistakes about the woman’s identity and occupation.