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Walter Cronkite, 1916-2009

Walter Cronkite, who as one of America's most trusted TV newsmen informed CBS viewers about the Kennedy assassination, the moon landing, Vietnam and more, died Friday July 17, 2009.

Walter Cronkite, who led "CBS Evening News" for nearly 20 years, died Friday July 17, 2009.

Walter Cronkite, who led "CBS Evening News" for nearly 20 years, died Friday July 17, 2009.

AP

Cronkite, right, with B-17 crew as it prepared for a 1943 raid over Germany. He covered World War II for United Press.

Cronkite, right, with B-17 crew as it prepared for a 1943 raid over Germany. He covered World War II for United Press.

File Photo via PBS

President Truman speaks with Cronkite in 1952. In a 1973 poll, Cronkite was called the most trusted public figure in the United States.

President Truman speaks with Cronkite in 1952. In a 1973 poll, Cronkite was called the most trusted public figure in the United States.

AP

Cronkite was born Nov. 4, 1916, in St. Joseph, Mo. Here, he watches his daughters Mary Kathleen and Nancy at the piano with his wife, Mary Elizabeth Simmons Maxwell.

Cronkite was born Nov. 4, 1916, in St. Joseph, Mo. Here, he watches his daughters Mary Kathleen and Nancy at the piano with his wife, Mary Elizabeth Simmons Maxwell.

File Photo

Cronkite in 1960. He decided to be a journalist in high school after reading a story about a foreign correspondent; he left college after two years to become a full-time reporter.

Cronkite in 1960. He decided to be a journalist in high school after reading a story about a foreign correspondent; he left college after two years to become a full-time reporter.

CBS Photo Archive via Getty Images

President Kennedy with Cronkite in 1963. This taped interview was the first half-hour edition of "CBS Evening News"; it came at a time when most broadcasts were much shorter, and ushered in the half-hour era.

President Kennedy with Cronkite in 1963. This taped interview was the first half-hour edition of "CBS Evening News"; it came at a time when most broadcasts were much shorter, and ushered in the half-hour era.

AP

Cronkite at he news desk during coverage of the Gemini 6 space mission in 1965. His generally measured coverage of news events could turn emotional when covering space missions.

Cronkite at he news desk during coverage of the Gemini 6 space mission in 1965. His generally measured coverage of news events could turn emotional when covering space missions.

CBS News Photo

Cronkite and a CBS camera crew use a jeep as a dolly for an interview with a commanding officer during the battle of Hue City, Vietnam, in 1968.

Cronkite and a CBS camera crew use a jeep as a dolly for an interview with a commanding officer during the battle of Hue City, Vietnam, in 1968.

National Archives-AFP

Cronkite covers the aftermath of the Tet offensive during the Vietnam War in 1968. A month after the offensive, Cronkite editorialized against the war, prompting President Lyndon Johnson to say "if I've lost Cronkite, I've lost Middle America."

Cronkite covers the aftermath of the Tet offensive during the Vietnam War in 1968. A month after the offensive, Cronkite editorialized against the war, prompting President Lyndon Johnson to say "if I've lost Cronkite, I've lost Middle America."

CBS Photo Archive-Getty Images

Cronkite with President Ford. Cronkite found his success became a hindrance in covering politics. "I have no desire to be a pundit," he said. "Just a journeyman editor-reporter really after the facts."

Cronkite with President Ford. Cronkite found his success became a hindrance in covering politics. "I have no desire to be a pundit," he said. "Just a journeyman editor-reporter really after the facts."

File Photo

Cronkite at a 1980 news conference after he said he would turn over his post as anchorman and managing editor of the CBS Evening News to Dan Rather. In retirement, he served on the CBS board of directors and continued to do a variety of news and features specials for CBS.

Cronkite at a 1980 news conference after he said he would turn over his post as anchorman and managing editor of the CBS Evening News to Dan Rather. In retirement, he served on the CBS board of directors and continued to do a variety of news and features specials for CBS.

UPI

Cronkite testifies before the U.S. Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs concerning the Pentagon rules on media access to the Persian Gulf War in 1991. He said military escorts were having a chilling effect on the work of the media.

Cronkite testifies before the U.S. Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs concerning the Pentagon rules on media access to the Persian Gulf War in 1991. He said military escorts were having a chilling effect on the work of the media.

Luke Frazza-AFP/Getty Images

Cronkite was fiercely competitive about the quality and content of his broadcasts. "I not only want to win," he said. "I want to be the best."

Cronkite was fiercely competitive about the quality and content of his broadcasts. "I not only want to win," he said. "I want to be the best."

Heinz Kluetmeir-CBS

Cronkite in 1998 pilots a boat bearing President Clinton, Hillary Rodham Clinton and her daughter Chelsea off Martha's Vineyard, Mass., where the First Family was vacationing and where Cronkite had a home.

Cronkite in 1998 pilots a boat bearing President Clinton, Hillary Rodham Clinton and her daughter Chelsea off Martha's Vineyard, Mass., where the First Family was vacationing and where Cronkite had a home.

Charles Krupa-AP

Cronkite and his wife pose backstage during the Emmy Awards in 2003. He anchored his last "CBS Evening News" broadcast on March 6, 1981, but he continued to be involved in the show, even recording the introduction for current anchor Katie Couric that is heard at the top of each broadcast.

Cronkite and his wife pose backstage during the Emmy Awards in 2003. He anchored his last "CBS Evening News" broadcast on March 6, 1981, but he continued to be involved in the show, even recording the introduction for current anchor Katie Couric that is heard at the top of each broadcast.

Carlo Allegri-Getty Images

Cronkite was known for his television signoff: "And that's the way it is."

Cronkite was known for his television signoff: "And that's the way it is."

Timothy Day

Gallery Credits:
Producer, Photo Editor Stephen Cook Text Editor David Marino-Nachison

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This Story Whom Can We Trust Now? Article \| Even in 1972, when the Oliver Quayle polling organization declared Walter Cronkite the most trusted public figure in America, the concept of trust was in decline -- shaken by social upheaval, assassinations, the war in Vietnam and the emerging scandal of Watergate. To have faith in a man who tran... If Not Cronkite, Whom? A Few Notables Weigh In on Whom (or What) They Trust. WALTER CRONKITE 1916-2009: America's Iconic TV News Anchor Shaped the Medium and the Nation Who Do You Trust? America's Newsman Was Last of a Broadcast Breed And That's the Way Cronkite Was . . . Tom Brokaw: The Avuncular Cronkite Walter Cronkite: An Anchor Who Earned a Nation's Trust Walter Cronkite, 1916-2009 RePosted: Anchor's Away: The Life of Walter RePosted: And That's the Way It Is -- Or Is It? RePosted: Camera's Political Role Isn't a Supernatural One Video: Three Classic Cronkite Broadcasts 44: Obama Statement on Cronkite's Death		Network News X Profile View More Activity TOOLBOX E-Mail This Reprints		More on washingtonpost.com • More Photo News » washingtonpost.com
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