Johnny Boggs: The Killing Shot That Changed Everything

On May 4, 1970, at 11:13 a.m., a single shot rang out at Kent State University, killing four students and wounding nine others. The shooter was a member of the Ohio National Guard, and his name was Johnny Boggs.

The Killing Shot

by Johnny D. Boggs

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	903 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	320 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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The Kent State shootings were a watershed moment in the Vietnam War. They sparked nationwide protests and helped to turn public opinion against the war. Boggs became a symbol of the war's violence and brutality, and his name would forever be associated with the tragedy.

Early Life and Career

John Robert Boggs was born on October 23, 1946, in Akron, Ohio. He was the youngest of five children. His father was a steelworker, and his mother was a homemaker. Boggs grew up in a working-class neighborhood and attended public schools.

After graduating from high school, Boggs joined the Ohio National Guard. He served for six years, rising to the rank of sergeant. In 1968, Boggs was deployed to Vietnam. He served as a combat medic and was awarded the Bronze Star for his bravery.

The Kent State Shootings

In May 1970, Boggs was part of a unit of the Ohio National Guard that was sent to Kent State University to quell student protests against the Vietnam War. On May 4, the protesters gathered on campus and began to throw rocks and bottles at the guardsmen. Boggs and his fellow guardsmen responded by firing tear gas and rubber bullets.

As the situation escalated, Boggs and another guardsman were ordered to fire their rifles into the crowd. Boggs fired a single shot that killed Jeffrey Miller, a 20-year-old student. Three other students were also killed by gunfire, and nine were wounded.

Aftermath

The Kent State shootings were a national tragedy. They sparked nationwide protests and helped to turn public opinion against the Vietnam War. Boggs became a symbol of the war's violence and brutality, and his name would forever be associated with the tragedy.

Boggs was charged with murder, but he was acquitted by a jury in 1971. He went on to become a successful businessman and a motivational speaker. He died in 2016 at the age of 69.

Legacy

Johnny Boggs's legacy is a complex one. He was a soldier who followed orders, but he also took a life. He became a symbol of the Vietnam War's violence and brutality, and his name will forever be associated with the tragedy at Kent State.

Boggs's story is a reminder of the human cost of war. It is also a reminder of the importance of free speech and the right to protest. The Kent State shootings were a watershed moment in American history, and they continue to resonate today.

The Killing Shot

by Johnny D. Boggs

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	903 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	320 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE