From the outset, this project knew no greater friend than Capt. Gerald O’Donnell, USN (Ret.). He is a selfless champion of the truth. His stewardship, support, and watchful eye made this book possible.
Early on Dr. John Walsh, Lynda Tisdell, Denise Arsenault, Brigitte Martino, Maryann Vollaro, and Jacques Arsenault provided constructive criticism, but more important, energetic encouragement for a work in its infancy. Their influence can be detected even in the final manuscript. Stephen Power, senior editor at John Wiley Publishing, provided early enthusiasm for this project and gentle coaching along the way. Dr. Helen Anderson-Cruz’s superlative efforts editing this book’s final manuscript cannot be overstated. And at the end of the long journey, copy editor Wendy Bolton’s concluding look and commentary of our work proved most helpful.
We are indebted to Brown University librarian Carina Cournoyer, Anne Clifford and her team at the Coronado Public Library, Cheryl Stein and staff members at Rogers Free Library in Bristol, Rhode Island, and the librarians at the Providence Public Library and the New York Public Library. Your tolerance for two patrons who collectively made use of almost every research service you offered is most appreciated.
Russell Burrows and Rob Silviera shared their expertise and exercised great patience while preparing the book’s photographs.
Norman Polmar offered insightful advice regarding the best way to share this engaging story with the U.S. Naval Institute’s readers.
Marcel Arsenault, development coordinator at Sharp Enterprise, saved the authors several long-distance trips to New York by double- and triple-checking Times Square’s configuration and landmarks.
Without the generous assistance of Professor Richard Benson; Baback Moghadam, PhD; Hanspeter Pfister, PhD; and Dr. Norman Sauer, we never could have proven the real kissing sailor’s identity. Each of you made a significant contribution to history.
While Lois Gibson and Chris Palmer recognize a different kissing sailor than did the authors of this work, their worthy challenge and generous sharing of evidence informed our work. Glenn McDuffie and Ken McNeel, both good men, were fortunate to have Gibson and Palmer in their respective corners.
John Silbersack, our superb agent at Trident Media Group, demonstrated infinite patience and above-and-beyond efforts to enable this book to reach fruition and ultimate publication.
Even with all the evidence and arguments in support of this book’s conclusion, closure could not have been realized without the cooperation of Bobbi Baker Burrows at LIFE. Her skillful eye, principled conscience, and courageous voice raised our work to new heights.
This book may never have been written if it were not for Anthony Restivo, a wisecracking student who always gravitated to the back of his U.S. history class. He knew the kissing sailor all along.