The WWII Army was 93% draftee.
The government had just witnessed this in WWI, when enlistments had instantly died out, we saw this after 9/11.
Posted on 09/02/2014 11:58:48 AM PDT by Borges
That would be a great trip! I would love to do it when I go to Nashville again sometime.
I just can’t believe someone would rather go on a cruise. Ha! :)
No to your context, FDR had to go to a draft to fill the ground forces.
Enlistments weren’t cutting it.
Priceless!
“We don’t “celebrate” a death...it’s certainly no cause for celebration.”
I beg to differ with you, my FRiend. There are a few in DC whose death’s will be cause for celebration! I ain’t gonna start a list, naming names, here, but I suspect many who might read this could come up with some of the same names I would, if I had a mind to do so!
That is a great line. If I am not mistaken, he said “when I’m fixing to do some shooting.”
As a Southerner, I still say I’m “fixing” to do things. Anyone who takes exception to that...well, bless their hearts.
Too bad he was also a Democrat.
commemorated, not celebrated
That doesn’t explain him cutting off enlistments entirely.
Near as I can tell, WWII was the only US war in which voluntary enlistments were cut off. Civil War, Spanish-American War, WWI, Korea, Viet Nam all accepted both draftees and volunteers for the duration of the war. At no time during these wars was voluntary enlistment cut off. Again, enlistment was CUT OFF in Dec 1942. My context (regarding WWII) is precisely correct. WWII was fought primarily under the unique circumstances of neither the War Department nor the Navy Department accepting voluntary enlistment.
Again, this does not apply to WWI and SGT York.
“Now there are tens thousands of Sgt. York’s in America. Both M/F ...”
They are like the rifles behind every blade of grass....
I fired expert with the M-16A2 at age 61 just before I retired (warrant officer). Just got my CCW. Guess I can still shoot a rifle.
Sergeant York tried to re-enlist after Pearl Harbor but was too old for combat. Instead, he was commissioned a major in the army signal corps & traveled the country supporting the war effort.
The WWII Army was 93% draftee.
The government had just witnessed this in WWI, when enlistments had instantly died out, we saw this after 9/11.
Your response should have begun with "Yes".
Beyond that, I'm not sure what you're trying to argue about.
You have not denied (nor can you) that FDR cut off voluntary enlistment on 1942-12-05.
You have not denied (nor can you) that his cut-off of voluntary enlistment was unique to WWII.
I find your unattributed link mildly amusing, however:
"By February 1943 intake at Marine recruit depots had reduced to a trickle ..."
Well, of course they were reduced to a trickle. In Dec, 1942 the PRESIDENT himself had ended voluntary enlistment. What did your unattributed author expect? Hordes of men showing up to be told "No! We don't accept volunteers!"?
Nice.
My uncle, a WWII vet, told me that from 1943 on their were no more enlistments. If you tried to enlist you were told that you would go into the service when you were told to report. My uncle wanted to join the navy, but he was drafted into the army.
Thank you.
That’s what I’ve been saying (with reference to original sources).
Thanks for that link and info on the end of voluntary enlistment. Recent research on Ancestry.com gave me my dad’s enlistment info from 1940 into the US Army Air Corps. I believe all of his older brothers, save one, went in around the same time, just ahead of the draft that began in that same year.
One of my all time favorites.
One night when I was about 12 I was bullied at a party, my Mom came and picked me up and to help dry my tears, said “Sgt York” is on later tonight.
Very funny! I can just hear it.
Indeed, he was a hero. Sgt. York was the last of the two living heroes in my life. I no longer have any living heroes.
Desmond Doss was the last.
May God bless them.
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