Vietnam War

ANTHONY J. RUSSO, 71 Leaked Pentagon Papers Anthony J. Russo, a shaggy-haired, countercultural, unemployed policy wonk when he teamed up with Daniel Ellsberg, a more button-down anti-war figure, to leak the voluminous, top-secret government history of the Vietnam War called the Pentagon Papers, died Wednesday in Suffolk, Va. Mr. Ellsberg announced Mr. Russo's death on the Web site antiwar.com. Mr. Russo suffered from heart trouble. Mr. Russo chafed at being called the "Xerox aide" because of his role in finding a copying machine and working long nights to reproduce the 7,000-page study.

Lt. Col. Raymond F. Latall, a decorated fighter pilot who flew both the Korean and Vietnam wars, died of cancer July 22 at his Highland home. He was 79. Raymond Frank Latall was born and raised in Chicago. He was a 1947 graduate of Amundsen High School and attended Wright Junior College in Chicago for two years. He was a 1967 graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College in Quantico, Va. Colonel Latall joined the Marine Corps Reserve in 1950. After completing flight training, he received his wings in 1953 and was sent to Korea.

Max Obuszewski is a graying veteran of war protests. In his life, he estimated yesterday, he's been arrested about 70 times for struggling to make a point about critical issues, including the Vietnam War, homelessness in Baltimore and the war in Iraq. He also is one who knows history - and he believes in the potential for an unchecked government to spy on people, particularly during times of war. He and others in a local, loose-knit network of peace activists and advocates had often wondered if their open gatherings had been infiltrated by law enforcement.

Now that the Barack Obama-Hillary Clinton battle is over, the Democrats face another fight that could split the party. In July, when the 186 members of the platform committee meet, they'll have to write a plank on the war in Iraq. The argument for a strong anti-war position - "bring 'em all home now" - is compelling, but it could well be politically fatal. The Democrats learned that in 1972. That's when anti-war forces took control of the party and nominated Sen. George S. McGovern. Richard Nixon won re-election in a landslide.

The dress blues that Marine Lance Cpl. Norman W. Anderson III wore to his wedding still hang in a bedroom at his parents' Parkton home. Like most of his other belongings, they've gone untouched since the day the 21-year-old was killed in Iraq almost three years ago. "I cleaned out two drawers and I couldn't do it anymore," said his mother, Robyn Anderson. "It's almost like then admitting it's real. This way I can still pretend he's just still away." Anderson is one of 77 Marylanders, including 45 from the Baltimore area, who have fallen in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan since the Sept.

Forty years ago tomorrow, nine committed followers of Christ entered the Selective Service Office in Catonsville. They moved past three surprised office workers, who questioned what they were doing but did not stop them. The nine quickly gathered 378 1-A draft files in wire baskets, then took them to the parking lot and immolated them with a homemade version of napalm. They prayed quietly over the burning papers until the police arrested them 15 minutes later. So began one of the most celebrated - or infamous - acts of civil disobedience in the nation's history.

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - "624787." In his first national campaign ad for president, Sen. John McCain is shown reciting his rank and serial number as he lies in a Vietnamese hospital bed as a prisoner of war. The ad describes him as "a real hero." Let's be clear: Senator McCain is running for president as a war hero who plans to win the campaign based on character and honor. On the surface, it seems churlish to critique the idea of a war hero. And criticizing a tribute to courageous and self-sacrificing soldiers would be disrespectful.

Forty years ago next month, Tom Lewis and eight other Vietnam War protesters strode into the offices of U.S. Selective Service Board 33 in Catonsville and left a mark on history. The "Catonsville Nine" emptied file cabinets, hauled 600 draft records into the parking lot and burned them with homemade napalm. Then they prayed and waited to be arrested. That act of civil disobedience on May 17, 1968, inspired headlines - and more than 200 protests at draft board offices across the country.

John Moncure Robinson "Monte" Mordecai, a budget analyst for Baltimore County public schools and Vietnam War veteran, died of esophageal cancer Thursday at his Pikesville home. He was 63. Mr. Mordecai was born and raised on Penhurst Avenue in Northwest Baltimore. He was a 1962 graduate of Friends School and earned a degree in graphic design from Michigan State University in 1967. Mr. Mordecai served in naval intelligence as a lieutenant from 1967 to 1971 - including a tour of duty in Vietnam - for which he was awarded the Bronze Star for valor in combat.

Kenneth E. Schnepf Jr., a retired postal worker and Vietnam War veteran died of lung and brain cancer Monday at his Joppatowne home. He was 57. Mr. Schnepf was born in Baltimore and raised in Frederick and Middle River. After graduating from Kenwood High School in 1968, he enlisted in the Navy and served as a cryptologist aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk . After being honorably discharged in 1972, he went to work for the Post Office as a letter carrier. "He worked at the Middle River, Essex and Parkville post offices and enjoyed walking a route as well as a mounted route," said his wife of 34 years, the former Donna Jean Hannan.