Finding Aid

This collection contains materials related to the case of Gordon Oehser, who attempted to claim conscientious objector status in opposition to serving in the Korean War. His official hearing was heard by the lawyer Lewis F.Powell, Jr. (a future Supreme Court Justice). Gordon’s appeal was denied because he did not invoke a specific religious motivation. He still refused induction, was arrested and spent a year in federal penitentiary. The collection contains both material specific to his case and material about the process of becoming a conscientious objector. Of great historical interest, this material,drawn from various organizations, explains the thoughts and processes of people in the 50s who were opposed to war and used their religious beliefs to stay out of the army. This material also describes the induction process at the time and the Selective Service standards for classification, from I-A (available for military service) to all the classifications of people who would not be inducted, including conscientious objectors.

Formats include correspondence, government documents, pamphlets, and newsletters.

*Before there was a volunteer army (1973), one option for not fighting in a war was to claim conscientious objector status. There were a number of options for this – the most important were to be labeled IAO (Non-Combatant,willing to serve in a non – fighting position) or IV-E (opposed to all military service). In order to be legally accepted by the Selective Service as a conscientious objector, you had to prove that your beliefs were based on a specific religious training and a clear belief in a Supreme Being. Legally speaking, having a personal philosophical belief that war/fighting is wrong, was insufficient.

Collection Contents:

Folder 1: Oehser Material

Folder 2: Communications from Federal departments

Folder 3: Oehser Draft File

Folder 4: Communications from/about lawyers

Folder 5: Letters of support

Folder 6: Communications from Lewis F. Powell, Jr

Folder 7: Conscientious Objector process

Folder 8: Random