Do average americans know the National Guards gunned down students in Kent State University in Ohio ?

Question

So many comments about soldiers opened fire at students in Burma , China and other places. Do americans really know their own history ............. the shooting of students in Kent State University in Ohio during a Vietnam war protest.

Answer 1

Yeah... those who were around them probably do...

But those of us who were around at the time also know that the National Guard was there to prevent destruction of property. The students were not peacefully protesting... sitting on the ground singing anti-war songs. They were advancing on I think it was the Administration Building. The National Guard warned them to disperse. The kept coming. How dumb can one be to advance on a guy holding a weapon?

They didn't have authorization to be there. Nobody had any reason to be there... except to do damage.

Some may question whether the a student's life is worth a few thousand dollars damage to a building. I think that's a question a student needs to ask himself or herself before he or she plans to break the law and tries to damage a building that tax-payer dollars built.

Answer 2

I would say most do but the main difference is that some young, untrained, National Guard panicked and shot some students while being pelted by rocks and bricks by the "peaceful" students protesters; yes, that is an often forgotten part of the Kent State shootings,while in the actions in Burma it was ordered and done on purpose. My Lai was also an action precipitated by a young, inexperienced officer and he was punished for it; maybe not as much as you would have liked or thought correct but he was punished more then the North Vietnamese officers who tortured American POW's or Viet Cong and NVA troops who massacred villages for being pro-American.

Answer 3

Maybe those who where old enough to remember this should have their memories checked because the person shot was a spectator not a participant. Not an advancing mob but a guy on the side of the road.

Not someone throwing a rock or even breaking the law. Wow...that is strange how this spectator turned into an advancing mob throwing rocks. the drugs must have been good back then.

The idea of having Authorization to protest should be protested.

Answer 4

I believe most Americans do know. The better question might be whether or not most Americans understand the environment we lived in then, which was a factor. When military men who may have been drafted are spit on by fellow citizens just for wearing the uniform, it can be tough to maintain control in some situations. Both sides erred.

Answer 5

I can't imagine that many Americans are unaware of it.

Of course, that tragedy has been acknowledged for what it was, a terrible mistake. It is not indicative of a current policy of shooting protestors. As the myriad protestors who go un-shot while protesting the Iraq War, clearly show.

Answer 6

The hippies did burn down buildings and throw stones before they were fired on (because the unit had no crowd control equipment)

I don't put all the blame on the military.

Had the unit been trying to kill them they would have killed many more, they were for the most part shooting the ground.

Answer 7

"Tin soldiers and Nixon coming,
We're finally on our own.
This summer I hear the drumming,
Four dead in Ohio."

Ohio, written by Neil Young.

The four students killed on May 4, 1970 are:
Allison Krause, age 19, fatal left chest wound.
Jeffrey Glen Miller, age 20, shot through the mouth - killed instantly.
Sandra Lee Scheuer, age 20, fatal neck wound.
William Knox Schroeder, age 19, fatal chest wound.

Answer 8

An error of judgement and poor leadership resulted in this tragic event and we Americans suffer our failures very bit as we embrace our victories. Perhaps everybody should read an objective view of the event.

Answer 9

Its covered in American History...which is a required class in most states.

Answer 10

Yes, it is taught in history class. I remember discussing Kent State when I was in high school in the late 70's. My son and I discussed it when he covered it in history class a few years ago.