Slava “Sal” Veder of the Associated Press took the Pulitzer Prize-winning image Burst of Joy on March 17, 1973 at the Californian Travis Air Force Base.
After more than five years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam, Lieutenant Colonel Robert L. Stirm of the United States Air Force is shown in the picture being reunited with his family. Stirm, who was flying a flight of F-105s on a bombing mission when he was shot down over Hanoi on October 27, 1967, was not made available to the public until March 14, 1973. The 15-year-old daughter of Stirm, Lorrie, is the focus of the picture, eagerly extending her arms in his direction as the rest of the family comes up behind her.
Despite appearances, Stirm was dissatisfied throughout the reunion. On the day he was freed from captivity, three days prior to his arrival in the United States, Stirm received a Dear John letter from his wife Loretta informing him that their marriage was over.