Vietnam Veterans Against the War

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Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) is a tax-exempt non-profit corporation, originally created to oppose the Vietnam War. VVAW currently describes itself as a national veterans' organization that campaigns for peace, justice, and the rights of all United States military veterans. It publishes a twice-yearly newsletter The Veteran, previously published more frequently as 1st Casualty (1971-2) and then as Winter Soldier (1973-5).

History

VVAW was founded by Mark Donnelly, David Braum, and coordinator Jan Crumb, in New York City in May 1967 after six Vietnam veterans marched together in an anti-war demonstration. As opposition to the war grew, membership in the VVAW grew from 600 members in 1970 to 11,000 in 1971. This was however a small proportion of returning combatants. At this time, VVAW is said to have received significant financial support from Jane Fonda and other celebrity peace activists. Fonda and Mark Lane had press appearances in July and August 1970 announcing the Washington, D.C., VVAW office.

Operation RAW

During September 4-7, 1970, Operation RAW ("Rapid American Withdrawal") involved a march from Morristown, NJ, to Valley Forge State Park. Mock search and destroy missions were planned during the march. Members of the Youth International Party (YIP) were invited to participate as blindfolded "Vietcong" prisoners, but decided not to participate because such a passive role would be a "bore" and a "drag". Sponsors included Senators George McGovern and Edmund Muskie, Rep. John D. Conyers, Jr., Paul O'Dwyer, Jane Fonda, Mark Lane, and Don Sutherland. Scheduled speakers were John Kerry, Joe Kennedy, Rev. James Bevel, Mark Lane, Jane Fonda, and Don Sutherland. Congressman Allard Lowenstein, Mike Lerner, and Army First Lt. Louis Font also spoke.

Winter Soldier Investigation

The VVAW helpfully put the FBI on its mailing list in January 1971, ostensibly in order to reduce the government's expenses so those could be put to better use. Membership was over 20,000 just after the WSI event. The first mailing was of the Winter Soldier Investigation invitation.

In January 1971, VVAW sponsored The Winter Soldier Investigation to gather testimony from soldiers about war crimes being committed in Southeast Asia as a result of American war policies. Intended as a public event, it was boycotted by much of the mainstream media, although the Detroit Free Press covered it daily and immediately began investigating what was being said.

Veterans applying for participation in the investigation were asked if they witnessed or participated in:

Search and Destroy Mission
Burning of Village
The destruction of crops or animals
The killing of villagers
Harassment & Interdiction Fire
Pacification program
Recon by fire
"Rat patrols"
Any chemical agents used
Any contact with deformed babies
Distribution of contaminated food
POW treatment
Medical treatment
Any torture used
Prisoners shot
Prisoners thrown from helicopters
Prisoners denied food, water, or medical treatment
Orders to not take prisoners or dispose of prisoners

Treatment of civilians and as prisoners

This event was financially supported by the efforts of several celebrity peace activists. Winter Soldier Investigation stories were read into the Congressional Record by Senator Hatfield. In 1972, VVAW continued antiwar protests, and released Winter Soldier, a 16mm black and white documentary movie showing participants in activities at the 1971 event.

Dewey Canyon III - Washington, D.C., April 1971

In terms of media coverage and Vietnam veteran participation, Dewey Canyon III transcended the Winter Soldier Investigation and any previous VVAW action. VVAW members defied orders that they not camp on The Mall, led by Gold Star mothers (mothers of soldiers killed in Vietnam) they placed wreaths in Arlington Cemetery, demonstrated at the Pentagon and Supreme Court, and threw their medals onto the steps of the Capitol Building. John Kerry, as VVAW spokesman and executive, testified against the war during hearings before a Senate Committee.

Kansas City meeting

During a meeting in Kansas City in mid November 1971, Scott Camil a radical key leader of Vietnam Veterans Against the War proposed the assassination of the most conservative members of Congress, as well as any other powerful opponents of the antiwar movement.

According to interviews with VVAW members who were present at the Kansas City meeting, Camil organized something he called “The Phoenix Project,” named after the original Phoenix Project operations during the Vietnam War used to destroy the Viet Cong leadership by targeted assassination. Mr. Camil’s Phoenix Project planned to execute the Southern senatorial leadership that was backing the war including John Tower, Strom Thurmond, and John Stennis. The assignations were to be executed during the Senate Christmas recess. The plan was voted down.

End of Vietnam war

By 1973, US combat involvement in Vietnam ended, and VVAW changed its emphasis, to advocate amnesty for draft resisters and dissenters. President Jimmy Carter eventually granted an amnesty in 1980.

Similarly-named different group

The relatively small group Vietnam Veterans Against the War Anti-Imperialist (VVAW-AI) is not a faction, caucus or part of VVAW. The VVAW web site describes VVAW-AI as "the creation of an obscure, ultra-left sect called the Revolutionary Communist Party ... designed to pimp off of VVAW's history of struggle."

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