Controversial V-E Day Announcement: The Story of Edward Kennedy’s Career-Defining Scoop

Amid the celebrations of the end of World War II, a controversial incident emerged surrounding the V-E Day announcement by Associated Press war correspondent Edward Kennedy, which forever altered his career trajectory. Tom Curley, the former president of Associated Press, recounted how Kennedy’s scoop on Germany’s surrender in Reims, France, turned into a double-edged sword.

Kennedy, one of the 17 war correspondents present during the official German surrender, swiftly dictated the news of Germany’s unconditional surrender. However, military authorities imposed an embargo on the news, extending it inexplicably as Russian leader Joseph Stalin sought his own signing ceremony. This move frustrated Kennedy, prompting him to defy the embargo and report the news.

Despite facing swift retribution for breaking the embargo, Kennedy stood by his controversial decision. His defiance led to a public rebuke from General Dwight D. Eisenhower and a subsequent suspension by the Associated Press board. Eventually, Kennedy parted ways with AP, leading to a new chapter in his career as a managing editor in Santa-Barbara News-Press.

Decades after the incident, the Associated Press issued a formal apology for their mishandling of the situation, acknowledging the significance and impact of Kennedy’s actions. While the veteran war correspondent passed away in 1963 without witnessing his vindication, a monument dedicated to him in Laguna Grande Park, Seaside, California, stands as a testament to his role in shaping the narrative of V-E Day.