“The Good War”: An Oral History of World War II

During the war, John was a conscientious objector who acted on nonreligious grounds. Like many conscientious objectors, he was sent to support the war effort in a work camp. However, he believed this too constituted a violation of his moral objection to the war and tried to defect. As a result, John’s experience of the war was rounds of imprisonment and being assaulted for his beliefs. He notes that, in the wake of the Vietnam War, public attitudes toward noncompliance are much more tolerant.

Roger Tuttrup lied about his age to enlist in the military. Eventually, he was sent to be part of the military defense of China. Roger admits that he held racist attitudes toward both the Chinese and the Japanese, noting, “The last image that comes to my mind is what we were taught about the Japanese. The Marine Corps taught us that, too. That the Japs are lousy, sneaky, treacherous—watch out for them…Who’s brainwashin’ you on all this?” (178).

A columnist for the Chicago paper Gay Life, Ted Allenby discusses his experience as a gay man fighting in World War II. He signed up for the marines because it had the reputation as the most masculine branch of the military.