Carmen Rio sought to honor his fellow soldier, Dave Jurkovich, a combat engineer who created a peace symbol during the Vietnam War. The photograph of this symbol, taken by photographer David Terry, went largely uncredited until recently. Terry, who captured this iconic image, was acknowledged for his contribution after decades. Their stories intertwine as they reflect on the legacy of the Vietnam War and the enduring message of peace.
On February 7, The Winchester Star revealed Carmen Rio’s quest to locate Dave Jurkovich, a combat engineer under his command during the Vietnam War, who used heavy machinery to carve a huge peace symbol into the Vietnamese terrain amid the ongoing conflict. This peace symbol later became part of an iconic photograph featured in notable publications like Life magazine and the New York Times.
Despite keeping Jurkovich’s identity secret to avoid military repercussions during the war, Rio eventually decided to honor him publicly. Unfortunately, he learned that Jurkovich had passed away in July 1999, likely due to Agent Orange exposure.
A follow-up article on Jurkovich was published on February 10. On February 9, David Terry, the photographer behind the famed peace symbol photo, found himself alerted about the article during a flight from San Antonio to Colorado Springs. Terry sold this photograph to the Associated Press for only $15 during the Vietnam War, unaware that it would become a cultural icon.
Over the years, Terry’s contribution to the iconic image was largely unnoticed; he was not credited for his work initially, and when the photograph was later donated to the Smithsonian, his name remained omitted. Upon being contacted by The Winchester Star, Terry was surprised to find his name had finally been acknowledged, prompting him to share his story.
Terry’s email to the newspaper recounted his experience shooting the photograph and included personal proof, such as press passes from Vietnam. Excited to connect, Rio and Scott Straub organized a video chat with Terry on February 20, allowing them to swap stories for the first time. Rio expressed his gratitude by requesting Terry’s autograph on a magazine issue featuring the famous photograph.
During their conversation, Rio clarified that Jurkovich utilized an MR-5 bulldozer to create the peace symbol, emphasizing the machine’s immense size and weight. Rio, as a lieutenant, oversaw the operations of heavy equipment to construct various military infrastructures during the war.
Terry shared his recollection of taking the photograph while aboard a helicopter, describing how he managed to capture the moment in just two quick shots as they flew towards Camp Eagle. He considered the peace symbol photo to be unique and distinguished, leading to his agreement to sell it to the AP, albeit for a minuscule sum.
After Terry’s time in Vietnam, he continued his career as a photojournalist in Thailand, covering significant events in Southeast Asia until retirement. Today, he divides his time between San Antonio and Colorado Springs and is connected with The Vietnam Old Hacks, a group dedicated to journalists from that era.
Terry poignantly notes that despite the war’s devastation, the peace symbol image stands as a reminder of the sacrifices and protests against the Vietnam War, conveying the hope for peace amid conflict.
In summary, the article highlights the remarkable stories of Carmen Rio and David Terry, emphasizing the long-overdue recognition of Terry’s photography work during the Vietnam War. Rio’s desire to reconnect with Jurkovich brought forward important historical narratives, bringing to light the symbolism of peace amidst the backdrop of war. Ultimately, both stories serve as poignant reminders of the sacrifices made during a tumultuous era and how art can capture profound moments of humanity.
Original Source: www.winchesterstar.com
