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CLEVELAND, Ohio – John Cleary died on Oct. 25, his life shaped and forever marked by one of America’s most infamous moments: the Kent State shootings of May 4, 1970. Cleary, who was shot by Ohio National Guard troops during campus protests, was 74. That day, 13 people were shot. Four died: Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer and William Schroeder. Kent State posted a thorough remembrance of Cleary, a man who left behind a story that touches on trauma, resilience and the deep need to remember and learn from history. Here are seven things to know about Cleary: 1. The day that changed everything On that fateful 1970 day, Cleary was a 19-year-old freshman architecture student at Kent State from Scotia, New York, outside of Albany. He was not deeply involved in campus politics, more interested in his studies and taking photos to document student life. But that spring, as tensions rose over the Vietnam War and the presence of the Ohio National Guard on campus, Cleary’s path crossed tragedy. He took out his camera to photograph the scene and was shot in the chest. He later described the impact as feeling like “being hit in the chest with a sledgehammer,” knocking him to the ground and leaving him unconscious. 2. An iconic image The photograph of Cleary lying wounded near Taylor Hall, surrounded by students frantically trying to save his life, became an iconic image. Student photographer Howard Ruffner took the photograph, which was featured weeks later on the cover of Life magazine, spreading the shock and grief of the shootings into homes across the country. The haunting image linked Cleary’s story to the nation’s collective memory of May 4. 3. Cleary’s injuries and perseverance Despite suffering permanent damage to one lung and enduring a harrowing recovery that summer, Cleary’s determination to return to life and work never wavered. With help from his professors who sent him assignments through the mail, he kept up with classes and returned to Kent State in person, graduating on time in 1974 with a degree in architecture. He refused to let the events of May 4 define or limit his aspirations. 4. Healing For a long time, Cleary found it too painful to attend Kent State’s annual commemorations of May 4. But about 25 years later, he returned, especially when his own son attended Kent State. As years went by, he grew closer to the other wounded survivors, forming friendships and becoming part of the group known as the “Blood Brothers.” The process of gathering together, remembering and healing became central to his life. 5. Advocate for remembrance In his later years, Cleary was passionate about making sure May 4, 1970, was never forgotten. He spoke to students, participated in oral history projects at Kent State and became a thoughtful teacher of the lessons learned from the shootings. He warned repeatedly that “it could happen again,” pushing for kindness, respect and civil discourse as the true legacy of the tragedy. He believed honoring those who were lost was essential to prohibiting future violence. 6. Post-college life Cleary built a successful career as an architect in Pittsburgh, where he practiced for decades before retiring. He married his college sweetheart, Kathy. His son, Andy, who attended Kent State, connected the Cleary family deeply with the university that shaped their story. In 2019, John Cleary was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He had surgery on May 5, 2000 – one day after the 50th anniversary of the shooting. 7. A living legacy In his final years, Cleary returned to Kent State regularly to honor the slain and support educational commemorations. In 2025, he was honored to ring the university’s Victory Bell during the 55th annual May 4 commemoration, highlighting how deeply his commitment grew over time. His passing closes a chapter, but his legacy endures among those who remember May 4.
