10. I became curious about Ward and googled his name. It’s the type of stuff you’d expect--letters to the editor of free “alt” weeklies, etc., plus some mentions by lefty groups like Not In Our Name.
I finally found a piece that listed his specific service--"Ward Reilly, 81mm Mortar Gunner, Weapons Platoon, Co C 1st Bn 16th Inf. First Infantry Division 1971-1974, Veterans For Peace, New Orleans”. Note the dates.
Now, from the webpage of the 16th Infantry, First Infantry Division (the legendary ‘Big Red One’)--
http://www.16thinfantry-regiment.org/sir/go/3340/Default.aspx
The following: “March 3, 1970 saw the cessation of combat activities in the Republic of Viet Nam for the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry. The battalion stood down and the personnel headed home. The battalion remained nominally active as the colors and records were shipped to Augsburg, Germany where it was reorganized at full strength as part of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division in April 1970. The battalion remained there until its participation in Desert Storm in 1991, after which it returned to Fort Riley, Kansas where it remains today, the only active element of the 16th Infantry Regiment.”
http://timblair.net/ee/index.php/weblog/comments/nam_vet_knows_truth/#56544
This guy runs with VVAW with Cindy Sheehan.
Whatcha think?