Peter Arnett, the renowned war correspondent who brought vivid accounts of conflict from the rice paddies of Vietnam to the deserts of Iraq, has died at the age of 91. His son, Andrew Arnett, confirmed that the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist passed away on October 25, 2023, in Newport Beach, California, surrounded by family and friends after a battle with prostate cancer.
Arnett’s career, marked by bravery and compelling storytelling, earned him the 1966 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting for his coverage of the Vietnam War while working for The Associated Press. Edith Lederer, a colleague and fellow war correspondent, praised him as “one of the greatest war correspondents of his generation,” highlighting the enduring impact of his work for aspiring journalists and historians alike.
Reporting from the Frontlines
Arnett first gained recognition during the Vietnam War, reporting from 1962 until the conflict’s conclusion in 1975. He was a familiar figure in the AP’s Saigon bureau, collaborating with notable journalists such as Malcolm Browne and Horst Faas. His ability to navigate danger became a hallmark of his career; he recounted harrowing experiences, including a close encounter with sniper fire that claimed the life of a battalion commander.
In 1991, Arnett became a household name during the first Gulf War when he reported live from Baghdad for CNN. While many Western journalists evacuated the city ahead of the U.S.-led invasion, he remained behind, delivering gripping accounts even as air raids commenced. His calm demeanor during the chaos was evident when he noted the sounds of explosions and air-raid sirens while broadcasting from his hotel room.
A Legacy of Controversy and Courage
Throughout his career, Arnett faced several controversies. In 1999, he resigned from CNN after the network retracted a report he narrated, which alleged the use of deadly Sarin gas on U.S. soldiers in Laos. Later, while covering the second Gulf War for NBC in 2003, he was dismissed for granting an interview to Iraqi state television, where he criticized U.S. military strategies.
Despite these challenges, Arnett’s influence persisted. He continued to report on conflicts worldwide, including exclusive interviews with significant figures such as Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden. His memoir, “Live From the Battlefield: From Vietnam to Baghdad, 35 Years in the World’s War Zones,” published in 1995, encapsulated his extensive experiences in war-torn regions.
Born on November 13, 1934, in Riverton, New Zealand, Arnett’s journey into journalism began at the Southland Times shortly after high school. His early career took him to larger publications in London and eventually to Asia, where he built essential connections that would lead him to The Associated Press.
Arnett’s contributions to journalism and war reporting have left an indelible mark on the field. He is survived by his wife, Nina Nguyen, and their children, Elsa and Andrew. Retired AP photographer Nick Ut, who covered combat alongside Arnett, expressed the profound loss felt by those who knew him: “His death will leave a big hole in my life.”
