David Donald Cline was born in Buffalo, New York, on January 8, 1947. Drafted in January 1967, Cline served as a rifleman with the 25th Infantry Division in Cu Chi Province of Vietnam from July 1967 until January 1968. Wounded three times, he received the Purple Heart with two oak leaf clusters and the Bronze Star for valor. Cline returned to the United States in 1968 and was assigned to Fort Hood, Texas, where he became involved in the anti-war movement within the Army. At Fort Hood he helped to establish the underground Fatigue Press. In March 1968 joined the Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW). After settling in Jersey City, New Jersey, he became a member of the New York-New Jersey chapter, serving as a regional coordinator, and eventually becoming a national coordinator of VVAW. After its formation in 1985, Cline also became a member of Veterans For Peace (VFP) and a charter member of the New Jersey chapter. He was elected national president of VFP in 2000 and served in that office until 2006. As president, Cline led a delegation of veterans to Vieques, Puerto Rico, and he co-founded the Agent Orange Relief and Responsibility Campaign. Most importantly, Cline's dedication, organizational skill, and ability as a public speaker brought the VFP to national prominence in the opposition to the Iraq War.
Cline returned from Vietnam with PTSD and a 40% physical disability. Over the years his disability increased, and he began to suffer from Hepatitis C, a disease caused by infected blood used to treat his wartime injuries. Eventually, Cline gave up his employment and his leadership in the Postal Workers and Transport Workers unions, and became a full time peace activist.
David Cline was the father of two children, Ellen and Daniel. He died on September 15, 2007 at age 60.
