The Man Behind the Iconic Vietnam Photo | Sacramento News

Sacramento News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 28, 2026 · 1m

The man behind the Pulitzer Prize-winning photo of a Vietnam POW reunited with his children has died at 99. Slava Veder captured that iconic, tear-jerking moment in 1973 — later titled “Burst of Joy” — that became a symbol of the war’s end, though for the soldier it held painful personal weight. A lifelong AP photographer who covered Reagan, assassinations, and protests, Veder lived his work with passion and humility, mentoring colleagues and leaving behind a legacy of powerful storytelling. He’s survived by three children, eight grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren — and his…