Veterans Affairs reverses decision to ban iconic WWII Victory Day photo after outcry

"The photograph, which depicts a non-consensual act, is inconsistent with the VA's no-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment and assault," the agency stated.

By Madeleine Hubbard

Published: March 6, 2024 9:42am

The Veterans Affairs secretary reversed his agency's decision to ban displays of the iconic "V-J Day in Times Square" photograph of a Navy sailor kissing a nurse he did not know in New York City as the U.S. celebrated victory over Japan in World War II.

Secretary Denis McDonough on Tuesday posted a photo of the iconic image on X, formerly Twitter, and said: "Let me be clear: This image is not banned from VA facilities - and we will keep it in VA facilities."

The decision came hours after a memo from a VA Assistant Under Secretary, RimaAnn Nelson, went viral online. The memo, dated Feb. 29, 2024, is titled: "Removal and Replacement of 'V-J Day in Times Square' Photographs."

The memo requests all VA facilities to remove the image taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt on Aug. 14, 1945, the day Japan surrendered to the Allies in World War II. "The photograph, which depicts a non-consensual act, is inconsistent with the VA's no-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment and assault," the agency stated.

The goal of removing the picture was to "foster a more trauma-informed environment that promotes the psychological safety of our employees and the Veterans we serve," the memo also said.

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