Eyewitness Photographer Reaffirms Nick Ut as the True Creator of the Iconic 'Napalm Girl' Image

David Burnett, a distinguished photojournalist, has weighed in on the contentious debate surrounding the authorship of the globally recognized "Napalm Girl" photograph. In a recent commentary for The Washington Post, Burnett adamantly asserts his conviction that Nick Ut is indeed the photographer behind the iconic image, dispelling doubts raised by the film "The Stringer."

Affirming the Lens: Burnett's Unwavering Account of the 'Napalm Girl' Photograph

The Unforgettable Day: June 8, 1972, in Trang Bang

The veteran photojournalist, who once contributed to Time and Life magazines, vividly recalls standing alongside Nick Ut during the tragic incident on June 8, 1972. This was the day South Vietnamese forces mistakenly dropped napalm on their own populace in the village of Trang Bang. Burnett's memory of the event remains sharp and detailed, etched into his mind.

A Moment of Chaos: Film Change and Fleeing Children

Burnett recounts the chaotic scene, moments after the napalm strike. He, Ut, and freelance reporter Alex Shimkin observed children desperately fleeing towards the road, emerging from a cemetery. At this crucial juncture, Burnett was preoccupied with the demanding task of reloading his Leica camera with film, a process he describes as challenging. However, he clearly remembers Ut swiftly moving towards the victims, and has always maintained that Ut captured the photograph within the subsequent minutes.

Questioning the Alternative Narrative: Burnett's Stance on 'The Stringer' Film

While Burnett admits he did not directly witness Ut operating the camera, he strongly refutes the claims made by "The Stringer" film, which attributes the photograph to Nguyen Thanh Nghe. Burnett asserts that he never saw Nghe at the forefront of the assembled journalists, where Ut was prominently positioned during the unfolding events. This observation reinforces his belief in Ut's role.

Declining Participation: Burnett's Skepticism Towards the Documentary

Burnett's recent public statement holds considerable weight, particularly because he had largely remained silent since the announcement of "The Stringer" earlier in the year, despite being a crucial eyewitness. He explains his refusal to participate in the documentary stemmed from his apprehension that the filmmakers were predetermined to validate their own conclusions, rather than pursue an objective truth. He also noted that some of his images were used in the film without his consent, inadvertently suggesting his agreement with its perspective.

Challenging the Allegations: Doubts on Photo Credit Manipulation

Furthermore, Burnett expresses skepticism regarding Carl Robinson's account, an AP photo editor featured in "The Stringer," who alleged that he was instructed by Horst Faas to alter the photo credit. Burnett dismisses this claim as largely improbable, emphasizing that in his experience, such a wild assertion has a minimal chance of being true. He vividly recalls Faas's unequivocal commendation to Ut after the photograph's publication, stating, "You do good work today, Nick Ut," delivered in Faas's distinctive German accent, a statement he recalls verbatim.