Washington, June 9 (ANI): The chilling photograph that came to symbolize the horrors of Vietnam War and, ultimately, helped end it, also helped save the life of a woman.

Kim Phuc, who was just 9-years-old when the image was taken, was wailing in pain as her naked skin blistered from a fiery napalm attack on her village on June 8, 1972, her arms were outstretched.

Phuc, who now lives near Toronto with her family, honoured the journalists, the nurse, the immigration officer and others who helped her survive the attack, by hosting a dinner on Friday to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the iconic photograph.

The photographer Huynh Cong Nick Ut, who was 21 at the time, heard Phuc's screams as she ran down the road to escape her burning village, and snapped the photo that became famous around the world, and earned him a Pulitzer Prize.

The 21-year-old Vietnamese photographer then drove the badly burned child to a small hospital, where he was told she was too far-gone to help.

He flashed his American press badge, demanded that doctors treat the girl and left assured that she would not be forgotten.

I'm so grateful he was there, Fox News quoted Phuc as saying.

He helped me and rushed me to the nearest hospital. He saved my life. He's my hero. This opportunity tonight I want to honor all of my personal heroes, she added. (ANI)