UPDATE: Robert Stirm, the veteran captured in the iconic Vietnam War-era photograph reuniting with his family, has died at the age of 92. He passed away at an assisted living facility in Fairfield, California, on November 11, 2023, confirmed by his daughter, Lorrie Stirm Kitching.
Stirm’s photograph, famously known as “Burst of Joy,” captured a heartwarming moment in 1973 when his family rushed to embrace him after his release from nearly 2,000 days as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. The black-and-white image, taken by Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Sal Veder, became a symbol of hope and resilience at the end of the Vietnam War.
“It’s a moment I will never forget,” Kitching, now 68, shared with the Associated Press. “Every time I see that picture, I feel the same joy and relief that we had our dad back again. It was truly a moving reunion for our family.”
Robert Stirm, a decorated Air Force pilot, was shot down during a bombing mission over North Vietnam on October 27, 1967. Captured almost immediately upon parachuting from his damaged F-105 Thunderbird, he endured severe conditions in five different POW camps, including the notorious “Hanoi Hilton.” His experience connected him with other notable POWs, including the late U.S. Senator John McCain, with whom he shared a solitary confinement wall.
Kitching recounted a moment when McCain made her father laugh with a joke during their captivity. “I wish I knew what that joke was,” she said. “I’m sure it was something very ribald.”
Despite the joy captured in the famous photo, Stirm faced personal challenges upon his return home. He received a “Dear John” letter from his wife, Loretta, shortly after his release. The letter, handed to him by a chaplain, expressed her feelings about their changed circumstances. “Life is too short,” it read. Stirm’s marriage ended a year later, shortly after their divorce in 1974.
Stirm retired from the Air Force in 1977 after 25 years of service. He later joined his family’s business, Ferry Steel Products, in San Francisco, while also working as a corporate pilot.
In a poignant reflection, Kitching emphasized the lasting impact of her father’s return. “Every day, I am grateful that my father was one of the lucky ones,” she noted. “That was really a gift.”
As tributes pour in, this moment serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by veterans and their families. The emotional resonance of Stirm’s story continues to inspire and connect generations to the legacy of the Vietnam War.
For those who wish to honor Robert Stirm, sharing his story and the image that encapsulated a moment of pure joy can serve as a tribute to his life and legacy.
