cutiger83 Posted October 2, 2015 Share #1 Posted October 2, 2015 Last night, I was reading a magazine article about a gunner on a B-17. He said he trained stateside with a B-24 crew. Before he shipped overseas with the B-24, he was reassigned as a replacement for a gunner on a B-17 and shipped overseas with the new crew. He said the original gunner refused to go overseas so he replaced the soldier. My question is regarding the soldier who refused to go overseas. What would the Army have done with him? Would he be dishonorably discharged? Would he be reassigned stateside? Would he be court-martialed for desertion? What would the Army have done to the soldier during WWII? ...Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor996 Posted October 9, 2015 Share #2 Posted October 9, 2015 I didn't think they got a choice- maybe the other soldier was Conscientious objector and was reassigned to non-combat duty- I am pretty sure during WW1 the CO's were jailed///////but I believe that some during WW2 were reassigned to non combat/medical and I even think some could stay home so long as they were in a job of national importance......... ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutiger83 Posted October 9, 2015 Author Share #3 Posted October 9, 2015 I wasn't sure because this guy obviously went thru all of the training then decided just before shipping overseas to refuse to go. I would think that a conscientious objector would have declared so long before going thru any training. I have never heard of someone going all the way thru the training then refusing. This is why I asked the question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor996 Posted October 9, 2015 Share #4 Posted October 9, 2015 maybe during training he suddenly decided to become one.........? or maybe they did decide to just jail the guy for refusing to go? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted October 9, 2015 Share #5 Posted October 9, 2015 Probaby stripped of his rank and rating and shipped to the infantry.......or court-martialled and sent to the stockade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutiger83 Posted October 9, 2015 Author Share #6 Posted October 9, 2015 Bob, If he refused to go overseas, then I think they would not have put him in the infantry. I am thinking he would have been court-martialed but not sure. ...Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyCanteen Posted October 9, 2015 Share #7 Posted October 9, 2015 Kat, I'm sure you have already heard of it, but if you are not acquainted with the story of Eddie Slovik, it might prove to be interesting to your question. RC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor996 Posted October 9, 2015 Share #8 Posted October 9, 2015 Eddie Slovik saw the movie bout him...........forgot bout him RC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILL THE PATCH Posted October 9, 2015 Share #9 Posted October 9, 2015 He was the only us soldier shot for cowardice during the war. There was an epidemic of desertions , ike simply made a example out of him. Played by Martin sheen. Good movie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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