Days of Decision : An Oral History of Conscientious Objectors in the Military during the Vietnam War

DAYS OF DECISION presents a unique view of the Vietnam era--personal vignettes from 24 antiwar soldiers that are both historical and sociological in temper and tone. Chapter 1 details the development of a personal belief system that led these men to oppose war. Chapter 2 presents memories from basic and advanced military training. Chapter 3 captures visions of Vietnam from the unique perspective of the conscientious objector. Chapter 4 reports on resistance and antiwar activity, including court-martial and imprisonment. Chapter 5 discusses life after the military, including adjustment problems and current attitudes on issues of war, peace and conscientious objection. Chapter 6 features the stories of two men who did not quite meet the "operational definition" of a conscientious objector used for this book. That is, they either did not formally file for CO status, or after doing so, found other ways to express their opposition to the war. Their stories help us to understand the feelings of confusion and desperation felt by many servicemen of that era; further, they offer insight into the more generalized resistance that occurred in the military during that time. The Afterword outlines some common themes presented by the COs, and briefly discusses some of the other forms of GI resistance to the war.

DAYS OF DECISION is recommended for:
-teachers seeking supplementary reading for courses in the social sciences and history;
-Vietnam veterans, antiwar GIs and peace activists--key actors in the events of that troubled time;
-school, public and military libraries;
-members of the armed forces and young people who still confront difficult choices of duty and conscience, and;
-those who struggle to make our world a more peaceful place.
DAYS OF DECISION. 338 pages, Introduction, Oral History, Glossary, Bibliography

Gerald R. Gioglio was discharged from the Army in 1969 for opposition to the war in Vietnam. Upon discharge he trained as a draft counselor and became actively involved in the peace movement. He is a member of Vietnam Veterans of America and Veterans for Peace.

Mr. Gioglio is a graduate of Livingston College, and holds a Masters degree from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University. He has also done considerable postgraduate study in sociology.

Mr. Gioglio works as a researcher for the State of New Jersey. He has conducted several studies and has published many papers on a variety of issues that include: homelessness, adult protective services and child welfare. Mr. Gioglio has also served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Sociology at Rider University and an Adjunct Instructor at Trenton State College.