His death was announced by “Vietnam Veterans Against the War” (VVAW-US), a group for which Mr. Romo served as a national coordinator for more than four decades.

During the height of the antiwar movement, Mr. Romo was a prominent voice among former military members who challenged the Pentagon and White House narratives of a conflict that was considered by the power-elite winnable and necessary. Mr. Romo and other veterans also added powerful symbolism to the wider protests by students, draft resisters, religious groups, and others. 

Romo enlisted in 1966 and was discharged in January 1969. He also played an active role in anti-war marches and joined hundreds of the veterans who attended an event in Detroit, Michigan in early 1971 to make allegations of military abuse and brutality by the US forces.