The photograph of a nine-year-old girl fleeing a napalm strike in Trảng Bàng defined the career of Nick Ut, a Vietnamese-American photojournalist who spent over five decades documenting conflict and culture for the Associated Press. His work, frequently centered on the raw aftermath of war, eventually earned him international recognition and a place in the National Gallery of Art.
Early Career and Combat Reporting
Born Huỳnh Công Út on March 29, 1951, in Long An, he began working for the Associated Press at age 15. His entry into the field followed the death of his older brother, Huynh Thanh My, who was also a photographer for the organization. Ut operated in dangerous conditions throughout the Vietnam War, suffering injuries to his knee, arm, and stomach. He was eventually stationed in Tokyo before relocating to Los Angeles two years after the fall of Saigon in 1975.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →The Napalm Girl Controversy
On June 8, 1972, Ut captured the image known as The Terror of War, depicting a young girl, Phan Thi Kim Phuc, running naked toward the camera following a napalm attack. Despite internal AP debates regarding the publication of frontal nudity, the photograph was distributed and became a global symbol of the conflict. Ut personally transported Kim Phuc to a hospital after the shot. In 2025, a documentary titled The Stringer challenged his authorship, suggesting the image was taken by Nguyen Thanh Nghe. Both the Associated Press and World Press Photo conducted investigations, with the latter suspending its attribution of the work due to remaining uncertainty, while the Associated Press maintained its credit to Ut.
Later Work and Retirement
Ut continued his professional career for decades, covering domestic news in Los Angeles. In 2007, he photographed Paris Hilton in the back of a police cruiser, a series of images that achieved widespread circulation. After a 51-year tenure with the Associated Press, he retired in 2017. A retirement event held at The Perfect Exposure Gallery in Los Angeles commemorated his extensive body of work.
Awards and Recognition
His accolades include the 1972 George Polk Award, the 1973 Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Photography, and the 1972 World Press Photo of the Year. In 2012, he was inducted into the Leica Hall of Fame. In 2021, he became the first journalist to receive the National Medal of Arts. Shortly after receiving this honor in Washington, DC, he was physically assaulted by an unidentified individual, resulting in injuries to his ribs, back, and leg.
Fast facts
- Born: March 29, 1951, Long An, Vietnam
- Citizenship: United States; Vietnam
- Primary Employer: Associated Press
- Pulitzer Prize: 1973 (Spot News Photography)
- National Medal of Arts: 2021
- Retirement: 2017
- Leica Hall of Fame induction: 2012
Questions readers ask
Did Nick Ut stop taking photos to help Kim Phuc?
Yes, he set his camera aside to transport the girl to a hospital to receive life-saving medical treatment.
Is the authorship of the Napalm Girl photo disputed?
Yes, a 2025 documentary identified another photographer as the author, leading to further investigations by the AP and World Press Photo.
