Ron Kovic

Ron Kovic

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Ron Kovic served two tours of duty as a U.S. Marine in the Vietnam War and was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. In combat on Jan. 20, 1968, he suffered a...

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In the Presence of My Enemy: A Reflection on War and Forgiveness

Jan 21, 2011
As this, the 43rd anniversary of my wounding in Vietnam approaches, and I once again try to find meaning in that day and the days which were to follow, my thoughts return to the northern bank of the Cua Viet River on Jan. 20, 1968. It is a day that will change my life forever. In the years that have passed, I have often thought about those days on the intensive care ward and about that young Vietnamese man.

Raise Your Voices, Protest, Stop These Wars

Jan 1, 2011
As a former United States Marine Corps infantry sergeant who was shot and paralyzed from the mid-chest down on Jan. 20, 1968, during my second tour of duty in Vietnam, and as someone who has lived with the wounds of that war for over 40 years, I am writing this letter to ask you to join me as we begin a critical new phase in the growing anti-war movement.Change does not come easily, and opposing one's government during a time of war is often very difficult.

In Pictures: Ron Kovic Today

Jan 26, 2006
Paralyzed from the chest down by Vietnam War wounds, and confined to a wheelchair for almost 40 years, Ron Kovic stands as a symbol of the brutality of war. He also exemplifies a man's ability to transform such tragedy into a lifelong pursuit of peace -- for himself and his country. Listen to the audio, then come view the site's Kovic photo gallery.

The Forgotten Wounded of Iraq

Jan 18, 2006
Ron Kovic, veteran of the Vietnam War and author of the reissued classic "Born on the Fourth of July," writes a compelling and empathetic piece on his personal experiences and concerns for a new generation of veterans returning from war. Ron Kovic provides a personal account of his wounding in war, a plea for peace, and expresses his concerns for a new generation of veterans returning from Iraq.