John Kerry’s Passionate Vietnam Veterans Against the War Speech

In April 1971, John Kerry, a former Navy Lieutenant who had served in Vietnam, spoke on behalf of The Vietnam Veterans Against the War before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. His testimony was part of the “Winter Soldier Investigation“, a media event sponsored by the VVAW intended to publicize war crimes and atrocities by American forces and their allies in Vietnam. The Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) was created by and for veterans, with the mission to give voice to the growing opposition among returning servicemen and women to the war in Vietnam. The VVAW staged protests, led awareness campaigns about the realities of the war, and lobbied for improved treatment of veterans. Kerry’s testimony was particularly impactful because he was articulate, a decorated war veteran and willing to speak frankly about the harsh realities of the Vietnam War. His remarks were critical of the Nixon administration’s Vietnam War policies, particularly the expansion of the war into neighboring countries. Kerry famously asked, “How do you ask a man to be the last man to die in Vietnam? How do you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake?“ He also discussed war crimes allegedly committed by U.S. forces in Vietnam and argued that these were not isolated incidents but stemmed from overall U.S. policy. The reaction to Kerry’s testimony was mixed. Some lauded him for his courage in speaking out against the war and for bringing attention to the plight of Vietnam veterans. Others, particularly those who supported the war or the Nixon administration, saw his testimony as an act of betrayal or as unpatriotic. This controversy followed Kerry throughout his later political career, becoming a contentious issue during his 2004 presidential campaign. In Congress, the reaction was also mixed. While the anti-war senators on the committee welcomed Kerry’s testimony, others were less enthusiastic. Some saw the event as a publicity stunt, while others criticized the committee for allowing a group of what they viewed as disgruntled veterans to air unverified allegations about American conduct in the war. Kerry’s testimony and the activities of the VVAW helped to shift public opinion about the war and highlighted the need for the U.S. government to address the issues facing Vietnam veterans. It was a seminal moment in the history of the anti-war movement.