Revisiting the Iconic Peace Symbol of the Vietnam War: A…

The Winchester Star featured Carmen Rio’s quest to honor Dave Jurkovich, a combat engineer who created a giant peace symbol during the Vietnam War. Rio’s efforts to acknowledge Jurkovich’s identity led to discovering photographer David Terry, who captured the emblematic photo in 1971. Despite being undercredited for his work, Terry’s narrative sheds light on the profound impact of the peace symbol as a representation of the war’s discontent.

On February 7, The Winchester Star featured Carmen Rio from Winchester, who was trying to locate Dave Jurkovich, a combat engineer who carved a large peace symbol in Vietnam during the war. Within hours, information about Jurkovich surfaced, revealing he was the subject of a famous photo published in several renowned publications. Rio had protected Jurkovich’s identity during the war but decided to acknowledge his contribution publicly.

Upon learning that Jurkovich passed away in 1999, likely due to Agent Orange exposure, Rio felt a sense of loss. A follow-up article in The Winchester Star discussed Jurkovich’s legacy, seemingly concluding this chapter. However, on February 9, David Terry, the photographer of the iconic peace symbol photo, discovered his name had been mentioned in the original story while waiting for a flight.

David Terry, who captured the peace symbol on May 8, 1971, near Camp Eagle, sold the photo to The Associated Press for a mere $15. His photograph gained significant recognition over the years, including appearances in a Vietnam-themed film and the Smithsonian collection, yet he received little acknowledgment from the AP.

After initial coverage credited the photo simply to AP, an editor suggested revisiting the credit issue. Subsequently, AP Media Relations Manager Nicole Meir found Terry’s name and communicated this information to The Star. Terry was pleasantly surprised by this acknowledgment and shared his experiences surrounding the photo, proving his identity with press passes and an unreleased second image.

Rio and Scott Straub, who aided in the search for Jurkovich, were thrilled to connect with Terry. They arranged a video chat for an exchange of experiences on February 20, culminating in their first meeting. The conversation included Terry signing a copy of the July 2, 1971, Life magazine edition featuring his photo, which meant a lot to Rio.

Rio, who led combat engineers using various heavy equipment in Vietnam, clarified the type of machinery that created the peace symbol. They reminisced about the peace symbol’s brief existence and its impact on the military and media. Terry discussed additional adventures during his time in Vietnam, notably regarding the dangerous role of journalists in the conflict.

During the discussion, Terry recounted how he took the peace symbol photo in transit. He had only a fleeting moment to capture it, resulting in two shots where one was exceptional. While he regretted the low payment, he initially thought that others would obtain similar images. However, no other photos emerged, raising the eyebrows of military officials concerned about the peace symbol’s implications.

Reflecting on the aftermath of the war, Terry emphasized how iconic the peace symbol became compared to the numerous other images he captured throughout the war. After his time in Vietnam, he continued his journalism career, working in Thailand and covering significant historical events. Now retired, he resides part-time in San Antonio and Colorado Springs, remaining connected to fellow war correspondents.

The story of the iconic peace symbol photo intertwines the lives of Carmen Rio, Dave Jurkovich, and David Terry, showcasing the lasting impact of a simple act during a turbulent time. Jurkovich’s brave gesture and Terry’s photographic skill together contributed to a significant symbol of the Vietnam War era. This narrative highlights the importance of acknowledgment and remembrance for those who shaped history through both actions and art.

Original Source: www.winchesterstar.com