J. Michael Orange
J. Michael Orange served in the United States Marine Corps from 1968 to 1970, including a one year tour of duty in Vietnam. He experienced combat in numerous patrols, search-and-destroy missions, and other major operations. Following his discharge, Mr. Orange witnessed the events leading up to the shootings at Kent State University, where he was a student. He actively participated in the peace movement until the War's end in 1975, including the famed veterans' march on Washington in 1971, when veterans protested against the war they fought by throwing their medals over the Capitol fence.
Michael has studied the Vietnam War since 1984, and he volunteers as a guest lecturer for history and social studies classes, speaking on the issues of war and the peace movement.
Michael earned his B.A. degree from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, and his M.A. in Urban and Regional Studies from Minnesota State University — Mankato. For the past twenty-seven years he has worked as principal planner with the Minneapolis Planning Department. He lives with his wife, Cynthia, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Their daughter, Jessica, teaches literature and poetry and lives in Boulder, Colorado.
Michael Orange is the author of "Fire in the Hole: A Mortarman in Vietnam" (Writers Club Press, 2001)