Children flee a napalm attack in Tr?ng Bàng on June 8, 1972. Left to right: Phan Thanh Tam, who lost an eye, Phan Thanh Phouc, Kim Phuc, and Kim’s cousins Ho Van Bon, and Ho Thi Ting. The “Napalm Girl” photograph galvanized an anti-war movement in the United States.
Associated Press/AP

53 years ago today a photographer clicked his shutter and one of the world’s iconic images was created. Officially known as “The Terror of War”, until recently it has been attributed to AP photographer Nick Ut who won a Pulitzer Prize for this image.

But a debate has arisen and after an investigation, World Press Photo has removed Ut’s attribution and they gave credit to Nguyen Thanh Nghe who says he took the photo. AP investigated the issue and leaves the attribution with Nick Ut.

Selections from the NPR article:

“The Associated Press launched its own investigation, interviewing witnesses, examining film negatives and the known footage and still shots from that day. The AP did its own 3D analysis and researched the type of camera that shot the image.”

“In a report, the AP concluded there are still questions about who shot the image, but Nick Ut’s photo credit remains.”

“Kim Phuc insists that Ut shot the photo and also saved her life by taking her to the hospital. They have kept in touch all these years. Other eyewitnesses back up Ut’s account, including former The New York Times reporter Fox Butterfield, who wrote a declaration supporting the retired AP photographer.”

“And more than 400 photographers have signed an open letter supporting Ut. Acclaimed photojournalist David Burnett, who was also outside Tr?ng Bàng in 1972, photographing for The New York Times, co-wrote the letter that asks World Press Photo ‘to reconsider its decision and reinstate the authorship that it has maintained for over 50 years … until proven otherwise.’ ”

” ‘I have this very distinct memory looking down the road and seeing the kids finally run through the field and on to the road,’ Burnett told NPR. ‘Nick was the only one who was down the road far enough to make that picture.’ ”  (NPR – linked below)

Personally, I lean towards Nick Ut and the AP report.

Links

The ‘Napalm Girl’ photo shocked the world. Now, there are questions about who took it – NPR

Investigating claims around “The Terror of War” photograph – AP

‘Napalm Girl’ Was in the Photo. But Who Was Behind the Camera? – NYT