22 Facts About Andy Stapp

Andrew Dean Stapp was an American activist known for forming the American Servicemen's Union, an unofficial union for the US military, in opposition to the Vietnam War.

Andy Stapp began as a student activist until he was drafted into the US Army in 1966.

Andy Stapp was married to Deirdre Griswold; both were members of the Workers World Party.

Andy Stapp was born March 25,1944, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to a military nurse.

Andy Stapp was adopted from an orphanage by William and Martha Stapp.

Andy Stapp grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia with his older brother William.

Andy Stapp began questioning the Vietnam War during an archaeology expedition in Egypt, where he learned about the country's colonial history under British rule.

Andy Stapp participated in a sit-in on Hiroshima Day in 1965, where he was arrested for disorderly conduct and accused police of throwing tear gas into locked vans of arrestees.

Andy Stapp became involved with the anti-Vietnam War movement on campus and served as president of SENSE, Students for Peace.

Frustrated by difficulties building draft resistance among other students, Andy Stapp decided to build resistance within the military.

Andy Stapp had trouble enlisting because of his arrest record and destroyed draft card but convinced his local draft board that he had had a change of heart.

Andy Stapp formed an informal group with whom he collected leftist literature and engaged in minor annoyance actions.

Andy Stapp was charged with disobeying an order and requested a court-martial for what was a minor offense so that he could use the opportunity to broadcast his beliefs.

Nevertheless, Andy Stapp was convicted and served 45 days of hard labor.

Youth Against War and Fascism sent several sympathizers to the trial, and Andy Stapp began spending time with one of the activists, Deirdre Griswold.

Andy Stapp was widely popular at the base and his acquittal was cheered by fellow soldiers.

Andy Stapp took over publication of The Bond, an early GI underground press publication that amassed a readership of over 20,000 over the course of its publication.

Andy Stapp advocated for a right to refuse orders, racial equality, freedom of association, a right to trial by jury, election of officers, and a federal minimum wage.

Andy Stapp was arrested and released at Fort Lewis in 1969 for holding an unauthorized meeting.

Andy Stapp began organizing with the Workers World Party and the affiliated Youth Against War and Fascism.

Andy Stapp published the autobiography Up Against the Brass in 1970.

Andy Stapp worked at the Hudson School in Hoboken, New Jersey, teaching history from 1982 until his death in 2014.