What is conscientious objector status?

What is conscientious objector status?

A conscientious objector is one who is opposed to serving in the armed forces and/or bearing arms on the grounds of moral or religious principles.

How many conscientious objectors were there in Vietnam?

During the Vietnam War more than 170,000 men were officially recognized as conscientious objectors. Thousands of other young men resisted by burning their draft cards, serving jail sentences or leaving the country.

Why would someone be a conscientious objector?

A Soldier may submit a 1-A-0 conscientious objector application when the Soldier is sincerely opposed because of religious or deeply held moral or ethical (not political, philosophical or sociological) beliefs to participating as a combatant (including training in tactics or weapons) in war in any form.

Are Jehovah Witnesses conscientious objectors?

Many conscientious objectors cite religious reasons. Jehovah’s Witnesses and Christadelphians, refuse to participate in the armed services on the grounds that they believe they should be neutral in worldly conflicts and often cite the latter portion of Isaiah 2:4 which states, “…

Who was the most famous conscientious objector?

Desmond T. Doss
Private First Class Desmond T. Doss of Lynchburg, Virginia, is presented the Medal of Honor for outstanding bravery as a combat medic, the first conscientious objector in American history to receive the nation’s highest military award.

Are Jehovah’s Witnesses in China?

Jehovah’s Witness members have been imprisoned in many countries for their refusal of conscription or compulsory military service. Their religious activities are banned or restricted in some countries, including Singapore, China, Vietnam, Russia and many Muslim-majority countries.

Why do Jehovah Witnesses not serve in the military?

Jehovah’s Witnesses do not stand for national anthems, salute flags, vote or serve in the military. Followers believe their allegiance belongs to God alone, who runs an actual government in heaven.

Was Hacksaw Ridge accurate?

Hacksaw Ridge is based on the true story of Pfc. Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector who nevertheless chose to enlist in WWII and serve as an Army medic. Because of his courage, Doss was eventually awarded the Medal of Honor, becoming the first conscientious objector to be rewarded for bravery on the battlefield.

Why did people become COs during the Vietnam War?

The Vietnam War saw a marked increase of COs, largely because many young Americans were beginning to question the war’s whole “domino theory” rationale. I remember telling my family that I admired the men who fled to Canada or who became COs rather than participate in an immoral war.

What was the conscientious objection to the Vietnam War?

The number of conscientious objectors numbered in the thousands during the Vietnam War, with many objectors, and others, viewing the conflict as an unjust war. The Supreme Court was called on to interpret the exemption for conscientious objection and its relation to the First Amendment in Welsh v. United States (1970) and Gillette v.

What was the role of Ho Chi Minh in the Vietnam War?

The Vietnam War (also known as the Second Indochina War and the American War in Viet Nam) was an outgrowth of conflicts between the colonizing French forces in Vietnam supported by Bao Dai’s Vietnamese National Army (VNA) and the communist forces led by Ho Chi Minh (the Viet Minh) and Vo Nguyen Giap .

Who was in charge of US troops in Vietnam in 1968?

March 16, 1968: U.S. soldiers killed hundreds of Vietnamese civilians in the town of Mai Lai. July 1968: General William Westmoreland, who had been in charge of the U.S. troops in Vietnam, is replaced by General Creighton Abrams. December 1968: The number of U.S. troops in Vietnam reaches 540,000.