Philip Witmer
Witmer was a Jehovah's Witness who was drafted but did not show for duty. When brought to court in 1955, he claimed that he was a CO but he was not exempted from service as they didn't find his claim "sincere." When he testified at the beginning though, he said he should be exempt because he was contributing to society agriculturaly and said that being a minister should not apply to him. Later, when he was denied exemption because of farming, he tried to say that by spreading the word of his religion he should count him as a minister and he should be exempt because of that. These contradictions led to the decision of agreement with the board that he was not a CO.
Sullivan Brothers
Joseph, Francis, Albert, Madison and George Sullivan were brothers on board the USS Juneau during WWII when, during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, a torpedo hit the boat twice and it sunk. All five were killed. The Sole Survivor Policy was made because of them. It says that if at least one person in your immediate family has been killed while in service you can't be drafted. Two ships named The Sullivans were made in their honor.
Sullivan Brothers
Mrs. Bixby
During the Civil War, Mrs. Bixby supposedly lost five sons. (It was found out later that only two were killed, one was honorably discharged, and one is unknown.) She wrote a letter to Abraham Lincoln, (now destroyed). He wrote her back in a famous letter. To read it, go here: Letter to Mrs. Bixby
Some believe this also started the idea of the Sole Survivor Policy.
Welsh
In 1970 there was a supreme court case Welsh v. United States. The case was similar to the Seeger case in that both men were COs. The Seeger case crosses out the lines "belief in a supreme being" from the qualifications of being a CO. The Welsh case simply says that your beliefs don't have to religious, reinforcing the Seeger case.
Muhammad Ali
Ali claimed CO status but was denied by the Local Draft Board and the State Appeal Board. His case was appealed all the way to the supreme court. The Supreme Court sided with Ali, saying that the Justice Department was wrong and that Ali was sincere. He proved with interviews of many family members that his Islam views were against violence. Guy Porter Gillette
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Significant People
Philip Witmer
Witmer was a Jehovah's Witness who was drafted but did not show for duty. When brought to court in 1955, he claimed that he was a CO but he was not exempted from service as they didn't find his claim "sincere." When he testified at the beginning though, he said he should be exempt because he was contributing to society agriculturaly and said that being a minister should not apply to him. Later, when he was denied exemption because of farming, he tried to say that by spreading the word of his religion he should count him as a minister and he should be exempt because of that. These contradictions led to the decision of agreement with the board that he was not a CO.
Sullivan Brothers
Joseph, Francis, Albert, Madison and George Sullivan were brothers on board the USS Juneau during WWII when, during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, a torpedo hit the boat twice and it sunk. All five were killed. The Sole Survivor Policy was made because of them. It says that if at least one person in your immediate family has been killed while in service you can't be drafted. Two ships named The Sullivans were made in their honor.
Mrs. Bixby
During the Civil War, Mrs. Bixby supposedly lost five sons. (It was found out later that only two were killed, one was honorably discharged, and one is unknown.) She wrote a letter to Abraham Lincoln, (now destroyed). He wrote her back in a famous letter. To read it, go here:
Letter to Mrs. Bixby
Some believe this also started the idea of the Sole Survivor Policy.
Welsh
In 1970 there was a supreme court case Welsh v. United States. The case was similar to the Seeger case in that both men were COs. The Seeger case crosses out the lines "belief in a supreme being" from the qualifications of being a CO. The Welsh case simply says that your beliefs don't have to religious, reinforcing the Seeger case.
Muhammad Ali
Ali claimed CO status but was denied by the Local Draft Board and the State Appeal Board. His case was appealed all the way to the supreme court. The Supreme Court sided with Ali, saying that the Justice Department was wrong and that Ali was sincere. He proved with interviews of many family members that his Islam views were against violence.
Guy Porter Gillette
Seeger
Note to parents and community members: If there is any information on which you would like to comment or provide feedback/insight, please click on the discussion tab above. You must have a wikispace account. Please click here for those directions.