Who founded Vietnam Veterans Against the War?
John Kerry was not involved in the founding of VVAW. Kerry had not returned from Vietnam at the time that VVAW was founded. Jan Barry Crumb (later Jan Barry) who served in Vietnam in 1962-1963 and enrolled in and then resigned from West Point after his Vietnam service is the best known of the veterans who founded VVAW. About six Vietnam veterans, including Barry marched under an improvised “Vietnam Veterans Against the War” banner in an April 1967 peace demonstration in New York City. On June 1, 1967, six Vietnam veterans gathered in Barry’s apartment to form VVAW. Another vet associated with the early days of VVAW is Carl Rogers. Rogers held a press conference upon his return from his Vietnam service as a chaplain’s assistant announcing his opposition to the war. Barry recruited him and at some point he became “vice president” of VVAW. Other early influential members who are mentioned are David Braum, John Talbot, and Art Blank. Jan Barry also lists Steve Greene and Frank (Rocky) Rock
