When 18 year old RON KOVIC enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1964, he couldn’t foresee that he would return from Vietnam paralyzed and in a wheelchair for life. His best-selling 1976 memoir Born on the Fourth of July became an antiwar classic and was adapted into an Oscar-winning film starring Tom Cruise as Kovic. His follow-up, Hurricane Street, chronicled his advocacy for Vietnam veterans’ rights. His follow-up, Hurricane Street, chronicled his advocacy for Vietnam veterans’ rights. His 2024 A Dangerous Country: An American Elegy completes Kovic’s Vietnam Trilogy, delving deep into his long and often agonizing journey home from war and eventual healing, forgiveness, and spiritual redemption.
Bruce Springsteen on A Dangerous Country: “Ron Kovic is one of America's great voices on war and what it does to the body and soul. His story is as timeless and tragic as the country itself.”
Watch Eva Haller's Salon with Ron Kovic
Ron Kovic presenting at the 20th MY HERO International FIlm Festival
Ron Kovic was honored at the MY HERO Art of Healing Gala April 2023.
Stories and more
Ron has been through a lot, but what's most important is that all of these things have made him a very determined man. Ron Kovic has devoted his life to fighting for peace and nonviolence.
MY HERO Suggested Video
"Shut Out the Light" (1985) by Bruce Springsteen
This song was inspired by Ron Kovic's book Born on the 4th of July, and is about the difficulties of a veteran returning home from war: “This song is about leaving home and not being able to find your way back (Bruce Springsteen).”
MY HERO Suggested Video
"Born in the USA" (1985) by Bruce Springsteen
This song was partly inspired by Ron Kovic.
With his friend and companion TerriAnn Ferren, Kovic has traveled the world, speaking before peace activists, presidents, and Nobel Prize winners.
Click on banner below to learn more about Kovic Peace Prize
Call to Action
Submit your film about peace and bring attention the need for peace building and the efforts of peace activists.
Ron Kovic annually awards a Peace Prize for the short film that most effectively addresses the issue of world peace. The prize is part of the MY HERO International Film Festival, and the $1000 cash prize supports the critical efforts of artists and peace activists.
Watch the Trailer for Ron Kovic's award winning feature film,
Born on the 4th of July
Ron Kovic Became an Artist as Part of His Creative Journey
In his journey, Ron also turned to art. He is a self-taught expressionist who paints with authority and with love.
According to Ron Kovic, a fiercely independent artist, "This [work] was done during the Winship cottage period. I felt very creative. I just didn't care what other people thought."
Ron places his self portrait in the midst of words inspired by author D.H. Lawrence's "Lady Chatterly's Lover."
This piece is about loneliness and turbulence in one's life. Kovic uses visual imagery to heal from the PTSD he suffered as a result of the war.
After Robert Shetterly met Ron Kovic in Los Angeles, he painted his portrait as part of the Americans Who Tell the Truth series: "There is nothing in the lives of human beings more Brutal and terrifying than war, and nothing more important than for those of us who have experienced it to share its awful truth."
Watch Short Films about Ron Kovic
Ron Kovic has inspired numerous works of art and film. This selection of short documentaries highlights his passion for peace in this troubled world.
Loretta Smith, a close friend of Ron Kovic, documents his amazing journey as a Vietnam war veteran and a world renowned activist. In this excerpt, Ron recalls how he got his start as a peace activist.
Learn more about Ron Kovic's multi-faceted life overcoming hardship and transforming into an author, painter, and activist. This film honors him and his tireless fight for world peace.
Listen to Ron Kovic
Please enjoy this BBC Interview of Ron Kovic.
Ron Kovic shares his passion for a better world.
Books by Ron Kovic
This latest edition of Ron Kovic's moving account of his experiences during and after the Vietnam War contains a new introduction in which Ron draws parallels to the war in Iraq.
A novel about a young man who hitches west around the world from his home town of Massapequa, Long Island, and meets an array of colorful characters, including a mad DJ--Doctor Twist.
As the last American troops were being pulled out of Vietnam, Kovic and a small group of other severely injured veterans in a VA hospital launched the American Veterans Movement.
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Hero Stories curated by MY HERO General Editors Deborah Neff and Abigail Richardson. |
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Audio curated by MY HERO Audio director Stu Pearlman. |
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Newswire stories curated by MY HERO Newswire director Betty Bailey. |
Organizer created on 10/25/2017 7:01:47 PM by Vincent
Last edited 12/4/2024 12:41:36 PM by Anthony Pouw
