Expert: Keith H. Patton - 5/13/2006

Question
During WWII were married men with several children given draft deferments? If so, what was the criteria for issuing this type of deferments? Any other draft deferment related information would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Allen Carlisle
LTC (Ret), US Army

Answer
 In WWII, "Unless it suited the needs of the military, no one was deferred. Married men with children, brilliant graduate students, the children of the rich and famous -- all went. There were still inequities in the kinds of assignments people got and the pull that was sometimes used. But what made the World War II conscription system work well was that everyone was needed and everyone was called."  Source: https://www.stratfor.com/offers/061109-MCA/280234.php?


"If you were 1-A, you were fit for call-up right away; there were six other draft categories, down to 4-F, physically unfit. Men with dependents or jobs vital to national defense could get six-month deferments. Czillich, the South Trenton butcher who didn't believe in war, was one who got a deferment. But once you were in the Army, you were in for 12 months." Source: http://www.capitalcentury.com/1940.html