Today in History 6-17-88 - Jane Fonda (Hanoi Jane) Issues Public Apology in Barbara Walters Interview

On June 17, 1988 Jane Fonda appeared on 20/20 with Barabara Walters issuing an apology to Vietnam Veterans 16 years after her historical visit to North Vietnam condemning US troops as war criminals and posing for press pictures with NVA gun crews.

Barbara Walters: "There are still people who ... I guess feel you have never apologized. Would you like to just say something to them now?"

Jane Fonda: "Well . . . it's not ... I would like to say something not just to ... the Vietnam veterans ... in New England ... but ... to ... to men who were in Vietnam who ... who I hurt ... or who's pain I caused to ... deepen because of things I said ... or did ... I ... I feel that I owe them an apology ... my intentions were never to hurt them ... or to make their situation worse, it was ... it was the contrary ... I was trying to help end the war ... but there were times when I was thoughtless and careless about it and I ... and I am very sorry
... that I hurt them ... and I want to apologize to them and to their families ...."

Though many in the media and Vietnam Veterans questioned the sincerity and the timing of the apology. At the time Mrs. Fonda was working on a film in New England where Vietnam Veterans were vigorously protesting her presence.