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

Chapter 8: Hershey and the End of Civilian Public Service, 1945–1946

Chapter 8´ ´ ´ ´ Hershey and the End of Civilian Public Service, 1945–1946 A s 1944 turned to 1945, much had changed for the U.S. forces fighting in Europe and the Pacific. Having staved off a last-ditch effort by the German Army in the Ardennes Forest, Allied forces advanced across the Rhine into Germany. In the Pacific theater, the Allies recaptured the Philippines and prepared to invade Iwo Jima. However, gains overseas meant little for conscientious objectors except the possibility of a quicker end to the war and the demobilization of Civilian Public Service. Though General Hershey dealt with other issues surrounding conscientious objection, ending CPS in a streamlined fashion occupied much of his time for CO matters. Demobilizing CPS turned out to be a thankless task. On one hand, COs and their Peace Church representatives wanted the quick and timely discharge of CPS assignees. On the other hand, Congress, veterans groups, and the War Department wanted to make sure that COs did not receive an “easy way out” of their national service obligations before the fighting men returned home from their overseas mission. Hershey once again led negotiations for matters concerning conscientious objection, and as always, his beliefs and ideals shaped his actions. In keeping with his vision of alternative service as comparable to service in the armed forces, his plans for demobilizing CPS initially mirrored plans for military demobilization, including a point system. However , resistance from Congress, veterans groups, and the War Department 134 135 End of Civilian Public Service and Hershey’s fears of negative public reaction led him to compromise on plans for discharging CPS assignees. Though wrought with controversy and frustration, the actual demobilization process worked, and it stood as yet another example of Lewis Hershey’s importance to conscientious objection in World War II, demonstrating his deft touch with political negotiation and his dedicated attempts to protect his vision for alternative service. The discussions for demobilizing CPS did not begin until the Euro‑ pean phase of the war ended with Germany’s unconditional surrender on May 7–8, 1945. Hershey, Kosch, and the Historic Peace Churches worked together on a plan to end CPS and discharge the assignees in a timely fashion. Hershey had tried to implement alternative service and CPS in a way that mirrored the armed forces in terms of an individual’s duty to serve. This ending phase was no different, as he wanted to implement a point system for CO discharges similar to the army’s. His initial plan involved one point earned for each month of service, twelve points for each child, and three points for a spouse. Men who had served less than one year could not be released, and an assignee lost one point for each day’s absence or refusal to work. Furthermore, no assignee could be released if he was subject to legal prosecution.1 Though this plan seemed perfectly reasonable to Hershey, it inspired strong opposition almost immediately. Thus, he had revised his plans considerably by the time the Selective Service began to send men home from CPS. Most of the initial discontent came from Congress, veterans groups, and servicemen. The main point of concern was the use of points in determining the discharge of CPS assignees. Many believed this system made it easier for COs to go home sooner than those who fought overseas . The process proved to be a source of frustration and disgruntlement for everyone--the Selective Service, Congress, the Peace Churches, and various veterans groups--throughout 1945. Hershey found himself caught between two groups with which he dealt on a regular basis. On one side were the veterans groups, such as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, who called for the CPS men to remain in camp until every draftee in the armed forces came home. On the other side were the Peace Churches, who wanted the men to be discharged as soon as possible.2 Though Hershey dealt with many other matters concerning conscientious objection, the demobilization of CPS was the most pressing and most important CO issue he administered during the final years of the war and immediately thereafter. Some early portions of Hershey’s plan quickly fell by the wayside, such as how CPS men received their points. Hershey initially thought 136 Lewis B. Hershey and Conscientious Objection that men involved in the firefighting (smoke-jumping) and the Guinea Pig Units...