Barry Romo (July 24, 1947 – May 1, 2024) was an American antiwar activist. He joined the US military as a second lieutenant in 1967 and was initially a strong support of the Vietnam War, but within four years had become a leader of Vietnam Veterans Against the War.
Biography
Romo earned a Bronze Star medal for his role in a battle in Tam Ky Province. At a demonstration in Washington in 1971 that he had helped organize, he joined about 700 soldiers in throwing away their medals in protest, hurling them over a fence in front of the Capitol.
In December 1972, Romo returned to Vietnam with Telford Taylor, a Nuremberg War Trials prosecutor, and the pacifist singer Joan Baez, delivering Christmas packages for 535 prisoners of war.
Romo worked for the veterans effected by Agent Orange, homeless veterans, and for veterans' post-traumatic stress disorder treatment, supporting Iraq Veterans Against the War, and Chicago Homeless Veterans Standdown.
Romo died from a heart attack on May 1, 2024, at the age of 76.
References
- ^ Murphy, Brian (2024-05-08). "Barry Romo, Vietnam veteran who then fought against the war, dies at 76". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
- "Barry Romo, Vietnam War veteran and antiwar activist, dies at 76". Chicago Sun-Times. May 10, 2024.
- Sandomir, Richard (May 15, 2024). "Barry Romo, Decorated Vet Who Turned Against the Vietnam War, Dies at 76". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
- "Vietnam Veterans Against the War: Commentary: Vietnam Veterans Against the War Mourns the Passing of Long-Time Member and National Leader Barry Romo". www.vvaw.org. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
- Sandomir, Richard (2024-05-15). "Barry Romo, Decorated Vet Who Turned Against the VietnamWar, Dies at 76". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
- "Vietnam Veterans Against the War: Commentary: Vietnam Veterans Against the War Mourns the Passing of Long-Time Member and National Leader Barry Romo". www.vvaw.org. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
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