Al Hubbard (VVAW)

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For other individuals with this name, see Al Hubbard.

Alfred H. Hubbard was a U.S. Air Force veteran, anti-war and civil rights activist, Black Panther, executive secretary of Vietnam Veterans Against the War and poet.

Hubbard enlisted in the United States Air Force in October 1952, reinlisted twice and was honorably discharged after 14 years of service. At the time of his discharge, he was an Instructor Flight Engineer on C-124 Globemaster with the 7th Air Transport Squadron, McCord Air Force Base, Tacoma, Washington. Hubbard was awarded a Korean Service Medal, United Nations Medal, National Defense Medal, four Good Conduct Medals, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Air Force Unit Award and Air Force Expeditionary Medal.

The National Review quoted a Defense Department news release: "Alfred H. Hubbard entered the Air Force in October 1952, re-enlisted twice and was honorably discharged in October 1966, when his enlistment expired. At the time of his discharge he was an instructor flight engineer on C-123 aircraft with the 7th Air Transport Squadron, McCord Air Force Base, Tacoma, Washington. There is no record of any service in Vietnam, but since he was an air crew member he could have been in Vietnam for brief periods during cargo loading, unloading operations or for crew rest purposes. His highest grade held was Staff Sergeant."^[1]

Hubbard was registered with the VA with a service-connected disability rating of 60 per cent.

During the publicity generated by the April, 1971 anti-war protest march on Washington DC, Hubbard made claims during an interview that were later shown to be false. He was introduced on Meet the Press as a decorated Air Force captain who had spent two years in Vietnam. After receiving a tip that Hubbard was a sergeant and not a captain, NBC contacted Hubbard about the discrepancy. Hubbard admitted to lying about being an officer, and appeared on the Today Show the following morning. Frank Jordan, then Washington Bureau Chief of NBC News, recalls Hubbard's explanation that "He was convinced no one would listen to a black man who was also an enlisted man.

he was a flight engineer with the 22nd Troop Carrier Squadron at Tachikawa Air Force Base, Japan and made frequent flights into and within South Vietnam.