The American Conscientious Objectors of
World War II

“Some of the men who registered as ‘conchies’ with their local selective service boards have been deferred because they are working in essential jobs. About 6,890 conchies have been interned and assigned to Civilian Public Service camps in the States. A handful, just 47, live and work in camps on Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, the only places outside the continental limits of the States where they may serve. By act of Congress, conscientious objectors may not be sent to foreign lands, but Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, although overseas, are territories of the U.S.”

“Largest of the three Civilian Public Service camps is one called Castener Project…The typical conchy at Castener is somewhere between 21 and 32 years old. He may come from Indiana, Michigan, Kansas, Ohio, Pennsylvania or Massachusetts and he probably has a better than average education. Although unwilling to kill, he is ready for any kind of work, and in most cases well trained.”

Click here to read about one of the most famous “conchies” of W.W. II

Click here to read about the British conscientious objectors of World War I.

To read an article about American draft dodgers of W.W. II, click here.