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Twenty Year Anniversary of Dewey Canyon III

By Bill Davis

Veterans Unite For Peace and Justice!

Twenty years ago as the war raged on in Southeast Asia, Richard Nixon had unveiled his "secret plan" to end the war — unmerciful bombing of North Vietnam and the expansion of the war to Cambodia and Laos. The expansion, a massive bombing and subversion campaign, was indeed so secret, it was carried forth without the knowledge or support of the American people, except perhaps the CIA.

As the Anti-war movement planned its own spring "peace offensive," the veterans of that same war in Vietnam would that spring on April 18-25 initiate a campaign of their own named Operation Dewey Canyon III — A Limited Incursion into Washington D.C. and the Halls of Congress. DCIII, as it came to be known, was named after Dewey Canyon I and II, which were two separate invasions of Laos. The first was in January and February of 1969 by elements of the 3rd Marine Division and the subsequent invasion of the first seven days of the 1970 South Vietnamese invasion of Laos.

Organized by Vietnam Veterans Against the War, the actions of over 1,000 Vietnam vets from across the country would capture the imagination of the American people as the VVAW emblem became a nightly fixture of National network news.

Headlines of the nations papers reported the marches of the Vets on Congress, the Pentagon, the White House, and the occupation of Supreme Court steps. The nation cried with the vets locked out of Arlington National Cemetery and held its breath as over 1,500 Vietnam Veterans returned their medals from that war, an event unparalleled in history. These powerful events, led by VVAW, served as catalyst that propelled the events of that Spring of 1971 into the most massive protests yet seen against the war in Southeast Asia.

Vietnam Veterans Against the War grew to an organization of 50,000 plus members with chapters in every state, most cities and many overseas locations. Twenty years later we look back proudly with the certain knowledge that our efforts helped galvanize a nation to come forward and put an end to U.S. involvement in Vietnam. Twenty years later the power and depth of that broad peace movement still sends shudders down the corridors of the segment of the veterans community that refuses to bow to a seemingly endless parade of war and military intervention. The Reagan-Bush administration have brought us to and over the brink of war, as if war is our only foreign policy, aimed directly at the heart of all third world countries.

On April 19-20, 1991, VVAW will mark the Twentieth Anniversary of Operation Dewy Canyon III in Washington D.C. Scheduled are marches to the V.A and the Capital, a dedication ceremony on the mall, a vigil at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and numerous cultural and social events. One focus of this event will be the furthering of discussions for diplomatic recognition with Vietnam. We're not returning to D.C. just for a reunion. Veterans and their families need medical care, jobs, and education now more than ever. Twenty years ago VVAW awoke the American public to the reality of Vietnam. Today, we must speak about a decent life for all veterans and a world without war for our children. Yellow ribbons won't pay the rent. Medals won't ease the pain of psychological problems. And George Bush won't give us anything without a fight. We'll be marching in D.C. demanding justice for all vets.

Members and supporters of VVAW are encouraged to join us for any and all events in Washington D.C. April 19-20. Information and timetables of the planned events and accommodations are available from the National Office of VVAW, address and numbers listed in this publication.

Chronology: Operation Dewey Canyon III

Operation Dewey Canyon I took place during January and February 1969. During a five-day period in February, elements of the Third Marine Division invaded Laos. Operation Dewey Canyon II was the name given to the first seven days of the South Vietnamese invasion of Laos in February 1971. The name of the operation was subsequently changed. Operation Dewey Canyon III took place in Washington, D.C., April 19 through April 23, 1971. It was called "A limited incursion into the country of Congress."

Sunday/April 18, 1971

Anti-war Vietnam veterans from nearly every state begin filtering into West Potomac Park.

Monday/April 19, 1971

About 1,100 veterans move across the Lincoln Memorial Bridge to Arlington Cemetery, some in wheelchairs, some on crutches. Mothers who lost their sons in Vietnam (Gold Star Mothers) head the procession.

A brief ceremony for the war dead on both sides is conducted by Reverend Jackson Day on the small plot of grass outside the Cemetery beneath the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the grave of John F. Kennedy. (Reverend Day had resigned his military chaplainship a few days before.)

After the ceremony, a small delegation of mothers and veterans is barred from entering the Cemetery and lays two memorial wreaths at the entrance. The march re-forms and makes its way to the Capitol.

The march reaches the Capitol steps. Congressman Paul McCloskey, who joined the march en route, and Representatives Bella Abzug, Donald Edwards, and Ogden Reid address the crowd. Jan Crumb, member of the executive committee of VVAW, formally presents sixteen demands to Congress.

The veterans march to the Mall and establish a campsite on a small grassy quadrangle.

Some veterans go directly into the halls of Congress to lobby against the war.

Washington District Court of Appeals lifts an injunction barring veterans from camping on the Mall. The injunction had been requested by the Justice Department.

Tuesday/April 20, 1971

Veterans lobby all day in Congress.

A contingent of 200 veterans, feeling that the affront of the day before cannot be overlooked, marches from the Mall back to Arlington Cemetery. They march single file across the Lincoln Memorial Bridge. The Superintendent tries to stop the veterans at the gates but then backs down.

Wednesday/April 21, 1971

Lobbying on Capitol Hill continues all day.

Washington Park Police state they have no intention of inspecting the campsite during the night. The cast of the musical Hair entertains the troops.

Thursday/April 22, 1971

A large group of veterans march to the steps of the Supreme Court to ask the Court why it has not ruled on the constitutionality of the war. They sing God Bless America. One hundred and ten are arrested for disturbing the peace and are led off the steps with their hands clasped behind their heads.

John Kerry testifies before a special session of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for two hours.

Veterans stage a candlelight march around the White House. A huge American flag is carried upside down as a signal of distress. The march ends back at the camp when the flag carriers mount the stage.

Friday/April 23, 1971

Veterans cast down their medals and ribbons on the steps of the Capitol.

Congressman Jonathan Bingham holds hearings with former intelligence and public information officers over distortion of news and information concerning the war.

The quadrangle of the Mall is vacant. Not one act of violence has been committed. They came in peace.