Penn State New Kensington Art Gallery will open "Eddie Adams: Vietnam" on May 8, featuring over 50 photographs by the late Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist. The exhibit includes his iconic "Saigon Execution" (1968) and "Boat of No Smiles" (1979), with a reception on May 28 featuring Adams' widow Alyssa Adams and former Associated Press photo editor Hal Buell. The free show runs through August 27.
The exhibit matters because Adams' Vietnam War photography profoundly shaped American public opinion and policy. "Saigon Execution" helped fuel anti-war protests, while "Boat of No Smiles" directly influenced President Jimmy Carter and Congress to admit over 200,000 Vietnamese refugees. The display at a local Pennsylvania gallery underscores how historic photojournalism continues to resonate in community settings, connecting regional audiences with pivotal moments in history.