S. Brian Willson

About the Author

S. Brian Willson is a renowned activist, author, and veteran whose life has been defined by a relentless pursuit of peace and justice. Born in 1939, Willson served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War era, an experience that profoundly shaped his anti-war activism. In 1987, he became a global symbol of nonviolent protest when he lost both legs in a dramatic encounter with a U.S. military train at the Concord Naval Weapons Station in California, protesting arms shipments to Central America. Through his writings and speeches, Willson critiques militarism, imperialism, and the human cost of endless wars, drawing from decades of grassroots organizing and personal sacrifice. His memoir, Blood on the Tracks: The Life and Times of S. Brian Willson, offers an unflinching look at his transformative journey from soldier to peace advocate, inspiring readers to confront the shadows of American foreign policy.