Army GI, Pacifist CO: The World War II Letters of Frank Dietrich and Albert Dietrich (World War II: the Global, Human, and Ethical Dimension)

Frank and Albert Dietrich were identical twins whose lives took very different directions during World War II. Drafted into the Army Air Corps and trained as a radio operator, Frank was shipped to the Philippines in 1945, where as a sergeant in the Fifth Air Force he prepared for the invasion of Japan. Albert, a pacifist, struggled mightily to become a conscientious objector and spent two years building dams, saving farmland, and helping the poor at Civilian Service Camps in South Dakota, Iowa, and Florida. Raised in a close, religious, Pittsburgh family, Frank and Albert were inseparable as boys, sharing a strong social conscience. Divided by war, they kept in touch by writing hundreds of letters to each other. The correspondence concerns everything from the daily drudgery of service--loneliness, lousy food--to heartfelt debates about war, peace, and patriotism. This absorbing selection of letters offers fresh perspectives on the American experience during World War II. The first published correspondence between GI and CO brothers, the letters are an uncommonly articulate chronicle of military service and life on the home front, including GI marriage and parenthood. Back and forth, Frank and Albert also argued about the uses of armed force and pacifist nonviolence in the face of fascism and Nazism. Frank Dietrich's letters from Manila are vivid descriptions of a liberated city under an uneasy occupation. Albert provides an insider's view of the pacifist experience, especially the protracted efforts pacifists often had to wage to obtain CO status. Together, the letters bring to life different ways Americans chose to serve their country during one of its most dangerous and demanding times. Frank And Albert Dietrich Were Identical Twins Whose Lives Took Very Different Directions During World War Ii. Drafted In The Army Air Forces And Trained As A Radio Operator, Frank Was Shipped To The Philippines In 1945, Where As A Sergeant In The Fifth Air Force He Prepared For The Invasion Of Japan. Albert, A Pacifist, Struggled To Persuade The Government To Recognize His Conscientious Objection And Grant Him Co Status. He Spent Two Years Building Dams, Working On Hookworm Eradication Projects, Performing Emergency Farm Labor, And Training Cos For Overseas Relief Work At Civilian Public Service Camps. This Absorbing Selection Of Letters - The First Published Correspondence Between Gi And Co Brothers - Offers Fresh Perspectives On The American Experience During World War Ii. These Letters Enrich Our Understanding Of The War By Documenting The Different Ways That Americans Honored Their Conscience And Served Their Country During An Era Of Global Conflict. Raised In A Close Pittsburgh Family, Frank And Albert Were Inseparable As Boys, Sharing A Love For Music And A Strong Social Conscience. Divided By War, They Kept In Touch By Writing Hundreds Of Letters To Each Other. Back And Forth, Frank And Albert Argued About The Use Of Military Force And Pacifist Nonviolence In The Face Of Nazi Germany And Expansionist Japan. They Also Discussed War, Peace, Patriotism, And Daily Life In The Army And Civilian Public Service. Frank's Letters From The Philippines Offer Fascinating Accounts Of His Adventures And Vivid Descriptions Of Liberated Manila, Which Was Devastated In The Battle Of Manila. Albert Provides An Intimate View Of The Pacifist Co Experience, Especially The Protracted Efforts That Pacifists Often Had To Wage To Obtain Co Status. This Volume Also Includes Letters Exchanged Between Frank And Christine (who Married In 1943); These Letters Capture The Challenges Of Gi Wartime Marriages And Parenthood. Scott Bennett, In An Exceptionally Valuable Introduction, Provides A Capsule Biography Of The Dietrichs, Discusses The Role That Noncombatant Gis Played In The U.s. Military Effort, And Offers A Neglected Perspective On Conscription, Pacifism, Conscientious Objection, And Dissent During The Good War.--jacket. 1939-42, Aren't We Faced With The Choice Of A Lesser Of Two Evils? -- 1943, Crimes Against Humanity? -- 1944, Camp Life -- 1945, The Devastation And Destruction Is Positively Staggering -- 1946, The For ... Is Realistic And Activist. Edited By Scott H. Bennett. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 365-371) And Index.