Their options were to serve, find war work, or end up in jail if they refused induction. There were pacifists and those whose political beliefs kept them from service. Some simply feared combat or felt they could better help their families by staying home and staying whole. Every man had his own reasons for preferring not to serve. In contrast, over 10 million (more than 60 percent) were drafted. Of the roughly 16 million in service throughout World War II, voluntary enlistments accounted for less than 40 percent of the total manpower. With all of the stories of sacrifice and duty, and those who went against the wishes of their family or odds stacked against them to don a uniform, it’s not inconceivable that a persistent misconception is that every young man rushed out at the first opportunity to answer Uncle Sam’s call.Īvoiding military service is usually considered draft dodging, which is more commonly associated with the Vietnam War than World War II. One common misconception about the men who served in America’s armed forces in World War II involves enlistment and the draft. Retrospect tends to paint a rosier picture in the collective memory than the oftentimes uncomfortable truth. As with any major historical event, the memory of World War II is marred by misconceptions.
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