Explore the experiences of American soldiers in the Vietnam War, the anti-war demonstrations organized by GIs and veterans, the outrage and rebellion at the Presidio Stockade, Keith Mather's stand against the war, the boycott and repression faced by activists, the Meilai massacre and Winter Soldier investigation, nonviolent actions taken by sailors and airmen, the moral implications of bombing North Vietnam, and questioning the origins of stories about activists spitting on Vietnam veterans.
The GI movement during the Vietnam War involved acts of resistance, underground GI press, and support from famous personalities, contributing to the anti-war sentiment.
Soldiers in Vietnam faced moral dilemmas as they witnessed war atrocities and realized the discrepancy between official narratives and the truth on the ground.
The speaker's experience in Vietnam led to a shift in perspective, as they questioned the purpose of the war and joined the symbolic protest of wearing black armbands.
Deep dives
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The Vietnam War and the GI Movement
During the Vietnam War, the GI movement gained momentum as soldiers began questioning the war and staging protests. The movement included acts of resistance such as refusing orders, going AWOL, and organizing demonstrations against the war. Anti-war coffeehouses were established near military bases to provide a space for soldiers to gather, discuss, and organize. The GI movement was fueled by the underground GI press, which published numerous anti-war newspapers across different military bases. The movement also gained support from famous personalities like Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland, who used their platform to oppose the war. As the war escalated and the military faced issues with morale, fragging incidents - where soldiers attacked their own officers - became more common. Through their collective efforts, the GI movement helped in shaping public opinion and contributing to the anti-war sentiment.
War Crimes and Moral Dilemmas
As soldiers served in Vietnam, they witnessed the harsh realities of the war and grappled with moral dilemmas. Soldiers were exposed to the brutalities of war, such as indiscriminate bombings and the mistreatment of Vietnamese civilians. They realized that the official narrative of the war did not align with the truth on the ground. Many soldiers experienced a crisis of conscience as they questioned the purpose and justification of their actions, realizing that they were part of an unjust endeavor. The awareness of war crimes committed by fellow soldiers, the discrepancy between official accounts and their own experiences, and the unethical nature of their actions pushed some soldiers to join the GI movement and actively resist their involvement in the war.
Resistance to combat operations and the discovery of the GI movement
During his tour in Vietnam, the speaker experienced a shift in his perspective on the military. He realized that he, along with other soldiers, didn't know why they were killing people. Refusing to participate in combat operations, he and two others faced charges of mutiny. However, they discovered a New York Times advertisement signed by 1,400 active duty soldiers opposing the war. Encouraged by this, they decided to wear black armbands on November 15th as a form of symbolic protest. The growing awareness of the GI movement among soldiers led to discussions about black power and unity, raising questions about the purpose of the war.
Challenging military authority and the Winter Soldier Investigation
The speaker witnessed acts of violence and racial discrimination within the military, which further fueled their dissent. They shared stories of a woman's brutal murder by a fellow soldier and the significance of unique handshakes among black soldiers. Prison experiences and rebellion within the military were also discussed. The Winter Soldier Investigation, organized by Vietnam veterans against the war, aimed to expose the impact of military policies, such as the My Lai massacre. By shedding light on the reality of soldiers' actions, the movement aimed to challenge the narrative that such atrocities were isolated incidents and to convey the collective responsibility for these crimes.
