General Lewis B. Hershey and Conscientious Objection during World War II

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74 Lewis B. Hershey and Conscientious Objection Brigadier General Lewis B. Hershey in 1942 (National Archives). 75 Early Agents of Objection and Conscription Hershey seated at his desk dressed in a familiar style—civilian clothing (National Archives). 76 Lewis B. Hershey and Conscientious Objection Selective Service national headquarters staff. Hershey appears on the second row from the bottom, fifth from the left. Note his rather casual demeanor compared to that of most of his military subordinates (National Archives). Hershey receiving the Distinguished Service Medal from President Harry S. Truman in January 1946 (Harry S. Truman Library). 77 Early Agents of Objection and Conscription As the executive secretary of the National Service Board for Religious Objectors, Paul Comly French met frequently with Hershey, Lewis Kosch, and representatives from the Historic Peace Churches as part of his work in representing the interests of conscientious objectors (Mennonite Church USA Archives: IX-13-2-3, Box 2, Folder 3, photo 1342). The World War II era’s first Director of Selective Service, Clarence A. Dykstra. Dykstra, with Hershey’s extensive help, provided some assistance to conscientious objectors during the creation of Civilian Public Service (Franklin D. Roosevelt Library). 78 Lewis B. Hershey and Conscientious Objection Director of Selective Service Clarence Dykstra (leaning on podium) and Assistant Director Hershey (center, with hand in fishbowl) selecting draft number capsules (National Archives). CO representatives meeting with Colonel Lewis Kosch and General Hershey. Kosch appears at the head of the table facing the camera. General Hershey is at his left, but only his ear is visible. At the end of the table opposite Kosch are M. R. Zigler on the right and Paul Comly French on the left (Brethren Historical Library and Archives [CPS 10-21]). 79 Early Agents of Objection and Conscription The National Service Board for Religious Objectors (back row, right to left): M. R. Zigler, Orie O. Miller, Leroy Dakin, Paul Furnas, Charles Boss, and Arthur Swift; (front row, right to left) Paul Comly French, Harold Row, and Albert Gaeddert (Mennonite Church USA Archives: IX-13-2-2, Box 1, Folder 2, Photo 6). Clarence Pickett (right) of the American Friends Service Committee with his family in 1954. Pickett worked tirelessly for the AFSC during World War II, but his attempts to gain more administrative control for the churches irritated Hershey (Franklin D. Roosevelt Library). ...