Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) is a United States organization founded in 1967 by a group of military veterans who served in the Vietnam War and who opposed U.S. involvement in that conflict. The group has been active in anti‑war demonstrations, veteran‑rights advocacy, and public education about the war’s impact on service members and civilians.
Founding and Early History
- The organization originated in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1967, initially as a loosely organized network of veterans sharing anti‑war sentiments.
- Early prominent members included Ron Kovic (later the author of Born on the Fourth of July), John Kerry (then a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserve), and other former servicemen.
- By 1970 the group had adopted the name “Vietnam Veterans Against the War” and began coordinating nationwide activities.
Major Activities and Campaigns
| Year | Event / Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | First National Demonstration | Organized a march in Washington, D.C., drawing several thousand participants and raising public awareness of veterans’ opposition to the war. |
| 1971 | Winter Soldier Investigation | Convened in Detroit, Michigan, where 109 veterans gave testimonies about alleged war crimes and misconduct by U.S. forces. The proceedings were recorded and later released to the public. |
| 1971 | Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam | Coordinated a massive nationwide protest on October 15, 1971, involving hundreds of thousands of participants, many of whom were veterans. |
| 1971 | Pentagon Protest (“Dawn Raids”) | On October 22, 1971, a group of VVAW members entered the Pentagon to protest the war; the action resulted in arrests and extensive media coverage. |
| 1972 | Senate Testimony | John Kerry, representing VVAW, testified before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, providing a veteran perspective on the war’s conduct and consequences. |
| 1973‑present | Veterans’ Benefits Advocacy | Lobbied for improved health care, disability compensation, and counseling services for Vietnam‑era veterans, especially those exposed to Agent Orange and psychological trauma. |
| 1979 | Legal Action Against the IRS | Successfully challenged a 1978 IRS revocation of its tax‑exempt status, establishing a precedent for political advocacy by nonprofit organizations. |
| 1990s‑present | Educational Programs | Conducted public speaking tours, school‑based presentations, and oral‑history projects to preserve veterans’ accounts and promote anti‑war education. |
Organizational Structure
- VVAW operates as a nonprofit corporation registered under Section 501(c)(4) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, allowing it to engage in lobbying and political advocacy.
- The organization maintains a national headquarters, regional chapters, and a network of local volunteer groups. Leadership positions are elected by membership at biennial conventions.
Legacy and Influence
- VVAW played a pivotal role in shaping public opinion against the Vietnam War during the early 1970s, providing a credible veteran voice that countered official government narratives.
- The group’s documentation of alleged war crimes contributed to subsequent investigations and historical scholarship on the conflict.
- Former members have transitioned into political and public service roles; most notably, John Kerry served as U.S. Senator and later as Secretary of State.
- Contemporary veterans’ organizations often cite VVAW’s model of combining anti‑war activism with veteran‑support services.
Current Activities (as of the latest publicly available information)
- Continuing advocacy for veteran health care, especially for PTSD and chemical‑exposure related conditions.
- Supporting peace initiatives and opposing subsequent U.S. military engagements perceived as unjust.
- Preserving oral histories through a digital archive accessible to researchers and educators.
References
- Primary sources include the Winter Soldier Investigation transcripts, Senate hearing records (1972), and VVAW’s published newsletters.
- Secondary analyses appear in academic works on anti‑war movements, such as The Antiwar Movement in America (Cambridge University Press, 2010) and Veterans and Protest (University of Illinois Press, 2015).
All information presented is based on documented historical records and publicly available organizational materials.
