I was a conscientious objector in the Air Force (1969-71). I now live
in Japan and teach at a university here. I refused my orders to go to
Southeast Asia (shortly after the killings at Kent State and Jackson
State) and was court-martialed. I was found not guilty of the original
charge of "willful disobedience to a direct, lawful order" because I
did not say a direct "no" to the order. The maximum punishment for my
"crime" could have been five years at hard labor and a dishonorable
discharge. When given my order, I kept repeating "I don't feel I'm
physically or mentally capable of going and killing another human
being." At the court martial I was found guilty of the lesser crime of
"negligent disobedience to a direct, lawful order." I was put in the
slammer for six months and given an "undesireable" discharge.
As I did not serve in Nam, I do not fit the criteria listed in Sally
Watt's posting. However, I have become acquainted with another
expatriate CO who might be of some help. His name in Paul Kohl. He
served as a non-combatant medic in Nam from '67 through Tet in '68.
Check out his home page at http://www2.gol.com/users/pkohl/
You can find his e-mail address there. While you're at it, read some
of his poetry. It'll knock your socks off.
Robert W. Norris
http://www2.gol.com/users/norris/
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