The Incredible Stories Pulitzer Prize-Winning Photos

Homecoming - Pulitzer Prize in 1944

In 1943, Earle Bunker of the Omaha World-Herald waited at a station for the return of Lt. Col. Robert Moore, who had been away for 16 months fighting in North Africa. Bunker captured the reunion of Moore with his wife and young daughter, symbolizing the return of every soldier.

Lt. Col. Robert Moore was returning from North Africa and he was met by his wife, Dorothy Dee Moore, his 6-year-old daughter, Nancy, and his 2-year-old nephew named Michael Croxdale. None of the faces of the subjects are visible in the image.

Bunker said the flash bulb on his camera had failed on his first attempt to take a photo. He tossed the bulb under the train and he had to reset his camera, which was a 9-pound (4.1 kg) Speed Graphic camera. He then had to rush the next shot and hope that the timing was right. He spun around and pressed the button just in time to capture the scene and his flash worked. The image was described as a father returning from a 16-month deployment as his young daughter falls into his arms.

Bunker later said that he waited almost 24 hours to photograph the moment.

The photo, which shows Moore’s family embracing him, earned Bunker the Pulitzer Prize.