The New Soldier

New York: Collier Books, 1971. First Collier Books Edition [stated]. Presumed first printing. Trade paperback. Fair. Several early pages loose (but still attached). Sticker residue at back cover. Cover has some wear and soiling. Front edge has some curving.. 176 p. Illustrations Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) began inconspicuously in 1967 when six Vietnam veterans marched together in an anti-war demonstration in New York. The organization slowly grew until, in 1971, 150 anti-war veterans came together in Detroit to tell Americans what their country was really doing in Vietnam. Some of their anguished testimony appears in this volume. Then, in April 1971, 1, 000 Vietnam veterans set up camp near the Lincoln Memorial, Washington. The pictures here recount what happened to them during the remarkable week than ensued. VVAW identifies as anti-war, although not in the pacifistic sense. Membership has varied greatly, from almost 25, 000 veterans during the height of the war to fewer than 2, 000 since the late 20th century. The VVAW is widely considered to be among the most influential anti-war organizations of the American Vietnam War era. Kerry enlisted in the Naval Reserve in 1966, and during 1968 1969 served an abbreviated four-month tour of duty in South Vietnam as officer-in-charge (OIC) of a Swift Boat. For that service, he was awarded combat medals that include the Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and three Purple Heart Medals. Securing an early return to the United States, Kerry joined the Vietnam Veterans Against the War organization in which he served as a nationally recognized spokesman and as an outspoken opponent of the Vietnam War.