Conscientious objection in the United States
[5] The term "religious training and belief" does not include essentially political, sociological, or philosophical views, or a merely personal moral code.
Pennsylvania required conscientious objectors who would not join companies of voluntary soldiers, called Associations, to pay a fine roughly equal to the time they would have spent in military drill.
Although conscientious objection was not initially part of the draft law, individuals could provide a substitute or pay a commutation fee of $300 ($4,674.34 in 2017[8]) to hire one.
Responses included moving to northern states, hiding in the mountains, joining the army but refusing to use a weapon, or being imprisoned.
They drew blood in several places.In the United States during World War I, conscientious objectors were permitted to serve in noncombatant military roles.
Some were subjected to treatment such as short rations, solitary confinement and physical abuse severe enough as to cause the deaths of two Hutterite draftees.
A limited number performed alternative service as fire fighters in the Cascade Range in the vicinity of Camp Lewis, Washington[7]: 147 and in a Virginia psychiatric hospital.
[7]: 213 During World War II, all registrants were sent a questionnaire covering basic facts about their identification, physical condition, history and also provided a checkoff to indicate opposition to military service because of religious training or belief.
From 1941 to 1947 nearly 12,000 draftees,[7]: 452 unwilling to do any type of military service, performed work of national importance in 152 CPS camps throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.
[13]: 260–269 Paul French met with Paul Donovan in April 1945 to discuss the possibility of letting members of the CPS serve with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) with the two reaching the conclusion they should be work in the research division and "studying the food needs of liberated areas and former enemy countries and the repatriation of displaced persons" but this proposal did not go through since conscientious objectors could only serve domestically.
[18] Desmond T. Doss, a Virginia native and Seventh-day Adventist, desired to perform military service after the start of World War II.
While enlisting with the intention of becoming a combat medic, Doss tried to claim noncombatant status but was told that the military did not recognize the designation.
Doss personally preferred to be called a "conscientious cooperator" because he would willingly serve his country, wear a uniform, salute the flag, and help with the war effort.
[19] Nevertheless, Doss accepted the designation "conscientious objector" in order to join the army and avoid a Section 8 discharge on account of his religious convictions.
[20] On October 12, 1945, Desmond Doss received the Medal of Honor from President Harry S. Truman for saving the lives of 75 wounded soldiers despite heavy gunfire during the Battle of Okinawa.
Other conscientious objectors who have been awarded the Medal of Honor are Thomas W. Bennett and Joseph G. LaPointe, both medics who served during the Vietnam War.
[3] The Navy,[23] the Marine Corps,[24] the Army,[25] the Air Force,[26] and the Coast Guard[27][28] each provide their own policies on conscientious objection.
[citation needed] A person who is already enlisted can file for classification as a 1-A-O conscientious objector to be assigned to two years of noncombatant service or civilian work "contributing to the maintenance of the national health, safety, or interest".
[29] Conscientious objector applications for enlisted soldiers are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the individual's respective branch of the military.
