Daniel Ellsberg: The Whistleblower Who Brought Down the Vietnam War

Daniel Ellsberg, the former military analyst who leaked the Pentagon Papers, a secret government study of the Vietnam War, died on Friday at his home in Kensington, Calif. He was 92.

The cause was pancreatic cancer, his wife, Patricia Ellsberg, said.

Mr. Ellsberg, a Harvard-trained economist, worked for the RAND Corporation, a think tank, during the Vietnam War. He was deeply troubled by the war and by the government's deceptions about it. In 1971, he photocopied the Pentagon Papers, a 7,000-page top-secret study of the war, and gave them to The New York Times and The Washington Post.

The Times published the first installment of the Pentagon Papers on June 13, 1971. The government immediately sought to block publication, but the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the newspapers in a landmark decision, The New York Times Co. v. United States.

The Pentagon Papers revealed that the government had known for years that the war was unwinnable, but had kept this information from the American people. The publication of the papers helped to turn public opinion against the war, and it led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon.

Mr. Ellsberg was charged with espionage and conspiracy, but the charges were dropped in 1973. He became a leading advocate for government transparency and nuclear disarmament. He was a recipient of the Right Livelihood Award, often called the “alternative Nobel Prize,” in 1973.

In a statement, his wife said that Mr. Ellsberg “lived a long and full life, and died peacefully at home.”

“He was a brilliant man, a loving husband and father, and a fierce advocate for peace and justice,” she said. “He will be deeply missed.”

About the Pentagon Papers

The Pentagon Papers were a top-secret study of the Vietnam War commissioned by the Department of Defense in 1967. The study was conducted by a team of historians and analysts led by Leslie Gelb, a former assistant secretary of defense.

The Pentagon Papers revealed that the government had known for years that the war was unwinnable, but had kept this information from the American people. The study also showed that the government had lied about the reasons for going to war, and that it had used military force to achieve political objectives.

The publication of the Pentagon Papers was a major turning point in the Vietnam War. It led to a decline in public support for the war, and it helped to bring about the end of American involvement in Vietnam.

The Legacy of Daniel Ellsberg

Daniel Ellsberg was a controversial figure, but he was also a courageous one. He risked his career and his freedom to expose the truth about the Vietnam War. His actions helped to turn public opinion against the war, and they led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon.

Mr. Ellsberg's legacy is one of courage and integrity. He was a man who was willing to stand up for what he believed in, even when it was unpopular. He was a true American hero.

Mr. Ellsberg's actions were controversial at the time, but he is now widely regarded as a hero. He risked his career and his freedom to expose the truth about the Vietnam War, and his actions helped to bring about the end of that conflict. He is a reminder that even in the face of great power, individuals can still make a difference.

Mr. Ellsberg's actions were a watershed moment in American history. They showed that even the most powerful institutions are not above the law, and that individuals can still make a difference, even when they are up against overwhelming odds. His legacy is a reminder that we must always fight for truth, justice, and freedom.

Do good,

Even when no one is looking.

And be kind,

Always.