(Sources: Peace Buttons, War Resisters League, and the Peace Center.)
June 30
1966
The first GIs, known as The Fort Hood Three–a trio of U.S. Army privates, James Johnson, Dennis Mora, and David Samas — refused to be sent to Vietnam. All were members of the 2nd Armored Division stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. The three were from working-class families, and they denounced the war as “immoral, illegal and unjust.” They were arrested, court-martialed and imprisoned. The Pentagon reported 503,926 “incidents of desertion” between 1966 and 1971.
Read their statement
Grass Roots Military Opposition to the Vietnam War
1971
The 29th Amendment to the US Constitution, lowering the voting age to 18 in all elections, was ratified
1974
The Selective Service law authorizing the draft expired, marking the official end of conscription in the U.S. and the beginning of the all-volunteer armed forces.
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 