Have you ever seen a photograph so powerful it stays with you for life? I first saw one as a teenager—a naked girl, running, screaming, her skin burning from napalm. I didn’t know her name… until I met her years later.

A Photograph That Changed the World

As a teenager, I saw a photograph that would haunt me for years—a naked girl running down a road, her skin burned by napalm. I didn’t know her name at the time, but I never forgot the raw terror and pain captured in that single image. Years later, I had the extraordinary opportunity to hear from that girl in person—Kim Phúc, whose life story is far more inspiring than any photograph could convey.

The photograph itself is one of the most well-known images of this era. It captures a little girl fleeing the horror—running naked on a road after being severely burned by a South Vietnamese napalm attack. On June 8, 1972, Kim’s village of Trang Bang came under attack by South Vietnamese planes, which mistakenly dropped napalm on a Buddhist pagoda in an area where the North Vietnamese were infiltrating. The photo was featured on the front page of The New York Times the next day. (Feature image credit: AP Photographer Nick Ut)

Historical Context

The Vietnam War was a conflict marked by devastation, with civilians often caught in the crossfire. Napalm, a jellied incendiary weapon, caused excruciating burns and permanent scars. The attack on Kim Phúc’s village was one of many tragic incidents, but her photograph became a symbol of the human cost of war and a catalyst for global awareness.

Meeting Kim Phúc in Person

I got to hear Kim Phúc at a speaking engagement at my daughter’s high school, Père-René-de-Galinée, in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. Phan Thi Kim Phúc stood on stage, at the front of the audience, near a projection screen, and spoke to an intimate group of high schoolers and parents who came to hear her story of survival, tragedy, strength, and perseverance. After hearing her saga, I was so impressed by her courage and determination.

The Children in the Photo

Kim spoke candidly about her struggle—the physical and emotional pain she endured—and the power of forgiveness that helped her heal. She told us that the other children in the photo running with her were her brothers and cousins: Phan Thanh Tam, her younger brother, who lost an eye; Phan Thanh Phúc, her youngest brother; and her cousins Ho Van Bon and Ho Thi Ting. Behind them in the photo are soldiers of the Vietnam Army 25th Division.

The Global Impact of the Photograph

Nick Ut’s photograph not only captured a moment of horror but also changed the world. It appeared on the front page of newspapers around the globe, helping shift public opinion about the Vietnam War and becoming an enduring symbol of civilian suffering and the urgency of peace.

The Horror of Napalm

She described the horrific moment of the napalm attack: she thought her clothes were burning off her body, only to realize it was her flesh separating from her back, arms, and legs as she ran. She spoke of the heat as blinding, the smell as sharp and suffocating, and the pain as a force that made her pass out repeatedly. “The pain was unbelievable. I would pass out,” she said. Napalm burns at 800 to 1,200 degrees Celsius and penetrates deep under the skin, leaving permanent scars. She described the unbearable tightness of her burned skin, the constant stinging, and the only small relief she could find in the cool water of the shower. She also shared the small, painful losses—she wanted to wear short-sleeve blouses like other girls and thought she would never have a boyfriend.

Life Under Control

Kim recalled being accepted to medical school in Saigon. However, the government viewed her as a war symbol and tried to control her life. She went to Cuba in 1986 to study medicine and remained there for six years under constant watch, never truly free. She compared herself to “a bird in a cage who longed for freedom.”

Having known war I know the value of peace. Having lived under government control I know the value of freedom. Having lived with hatred, terror and corruption I know the value of faith and forgiveness

~ Kim Phuc

Freedom and Asylum

While studying in Cuba, she met Bui Huy Toan (Tom). In 1992, they married and honeymooned in Moscow. They secretly planned to defect on the return flight to Cuba. During a routine refueling stop in Gander, Newfoundland, they hid in the bathroom, and they were granted political asylum to remain in Canada. They arrived with almost nothing—just a purse and a camera—but they were finally free.

The Power of Forgiveness

Throughout her talk, Kim emphasized forgiveness and releasing anger. In the article The Story Of Kim Phuc, Napalm and Vietnam by Roy Berger (October 25, 2015), she is quoted as saying:

“…before you can have hope, you have to forgive. Love your enemies. Bless them.”
“I cannot hold hatred in my heart. Free from hatred. I forgive. I do not forget.”

Her words resonated deeply with the audience. She spoke of having lived through war and knowing the value of peace, of living under government control and knowing the value of freedom, and of having survived hatred and terror to understand the value of faith and forgiveness. The audience could feel the depth of her suffering, yet also the extraordinary grace with which she carries herself today.

A Standing Ovation

The crowd rose to its feet in applause. What an amazing story, and what an amazing woman! I am so happy that I got to hear and meet this most courageous woman. Her story was truly inspiring.

Giving Back: The Kim Phúc Foundation

Kim also started the Kim Phúc Foundation International, a way to give back for all the help she received and to promote peace and forgiveness worldwide. Her life is a testament to the human capacity for resilience, courage, and love, even in the face of unimaginable suffering.

Takeaway

Kim’s story reminds us that even in the darkest circumstances, the human spirit can heal and forgive. To learn more or support her work promoting peace, visit the Kim Phúc Foundation International: https://www.kimfoundation.org/

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