By 1958, a successful candy manufacturer had come to realize over a period of years that something was very wrong with the actions of the Federal government.
He chose to do something about it. At a weekend meeting in Indianapolis, Robert Welch launched the John Birch Society as a plan for education and action
in the cause to preserve our uniquely American traditions. Mr. Welch chose John Birch to be the icon of his efforts.

John Birch was a Baptist missonary in China at the outbreak of World War II, and became an officer in the Army's intelligence corps. He distinguished himself
in the service of his country and was universally respected by all who knew him, even the Japanese enemy who called him the "Phantom Mandarin."
Captain Birch was murdered ten days after the end of the war by Chinese communists, so he can properly be considered "the first casualty of the Cold War."