Lauter, Paul wrote: (RE Bruce Franklin piece) I suspect he's also closer to the truth regarding how widespread GI opposition to the war became. JW reply: I can speak from personal experience in this area having been involved in the GI anti-war movement in Japan in 1970. Although we had help from US, Canadian and Japanese civilians, particularly in the churches, the movement at Iwakuni was spearheaded by GIs with an active core group and a large number of sympathizers among the ranks and even a number among the officers. The underground newspaper that we published frequently was circulated widely and drew national attention in Japan. The movement also received coverage in the national Japanese media, both newspapers and magazines. Stars and Stripes even had to run at least one rebuttal argument that I know of. Common activities among the troops was to carry out mock sabatoge of aircraft which caused delays in flight schedules. Stories came in from RVN about troops avoiding combat and otherwise not cooperating. There is no doubt in my mind that the war finally came to a halt when it was apparent to Washington that the troops were unreliable on top of all of the other problems that the administration was facing. Where I was stationed there was not significant participation by blacks in the anti-war movement per se, as they were more concerned with the racial issues of the time. However, there was communication between the two groups and the anti-war movement gave full support to the blacks. There was a huge riot at the Brig at MCAS Iwakuni on July 4, 1970 which involved both blacks and whites against the brass. This can not be attributed to anyone cause, however, as there were a variety of undercurrents at play. -- Jerry West Editor/publisher/janitor ---------------------------------------------------- THE RECORD On line news from Nootka Sound & Canada's West Coast An independent, progressive regional publication http://www.island.net/~record/
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