Military Service Record
Classifications given to those deemed unfit for military service
- 4-F: Physically, Mentally, or Morally unfit for military service. Those in this category were judged to be physically handicapped, mentally ill, or too immoral to serve in the military. The local draft board members had quite a bit of freedom to "award" the 4F classification. They could classify a man 4-F if he were handicapped. They could also classify "mental incompetents", convicted felons, or homosexuals 4-F as well. If a draft board member disliked someone, they might classify him 4F out of spite. The 4F classification carried quite a stigma. If a man classified as 4F didn’t have an obvious physical handicap, people often concluded that he was a coward or even worse.
- 4-C: Alien. Perversely, foreigners living in the US couldn’t enlist, but could be drafted. Enemy aliens were either detained or deported. As of February 19, 1942, executive order 9066 dictated that American residents of Japanese descent be interned as enemy aliens. The fact that many of these "aliens" were American citizens was considered irrelevant until the war had nearly ended.
- 4-A: Prior service in the Armed Forces. Anyone who had retired or been discharged from the service was in this category. They weren't Drafted, but could be recalled to active duty if needed.
- 3-A: Deferred due to dependents. Many thought this classification protected them from the draft, but they were wrong. As the war stretched on, 3As were called up as 1As and 1Bs began to run out.
- 2-A: Deferred for critical civilian position. Policemen, Firemen, and Defense workers fell into this category. They were exempt from the Draft, with one exception. Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, the Mayor of New York, was a member of the New York Draft board. He ensured that New York policemen and firemen were not given this exemption.
