John Cleary, Kent State shooting survivor and Vietnam War symbol, dies at 74
John Cleary, a former Kent State University student who became a symbol of the Vietnam era after being shot during an anti-war protest, has passed away. Cleary, who was 19 at the time, was one of four students killed and nine wounded in the Kent State shooting on May 4, 1970. His death on October 25, 2023, at the age of 74, has left behind a wife, son, daughter, and four grandchildren.
Cleary's journey began when he was a freshman architecture major at Kent State. On that fateful day in 1970, protests against the Vietnam War turned violent, leading to the tragic incident. A photo of Cleary being helped by students after being shot became a defining image of the era, gracing the cover of Life magazine.
After recovering from his injuries, Cleary returned to Kent State to resume his studies. He graduated in 1974 and married his college sweetheart, Kathy Bashaw. They settled near Pittsburgh. Cleary became a quiet yet powerful voice, warning about the dangers of poisonous political discourse and the suppression of free speech, especially after the birth of his son on May 4, 1981, a date that held profound significance for him.
In May 2023, Cleary returned to Kent State for anniversary events. He rang a campus bell to honor the victims, a poignant moment that underscored his enduring connection to the university and the tragic events that had unfolded there decades ago.
Cleary's legacy lives on through the impact he made as a symbol of the Vietnam era and his continued advocacy for free speech. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, and four grandchildren. The other members of the 'Blood Brothers', the nine students wounded alongside Cleary, also mourn his passing. Their shared experience had forged a lifelong bond, a testament to the enduring power of unity in the face of adversity.
