Court Opinion

ID: 9453243
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-04 18:07:51.942737+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:33:34.767906
License: Public Domain

ENOCH, Circuit Judge
(dissenting).
Regretfully, I find myself in disagreement with the conclusion that the Local Board was compelled to reopen the defendant’s classification in 1961 on the ground that he had presented new information in his 1961 SSS Form 150, which, if true, would have entitled him to reclassification.
Judge Eiley summarizes that information as follows:
Freeman stated in his Special Form for Conscientious Objector that he believed in a supreme being, that he was a member of the Islam religion, and that by reason of his religious beliefs he was opposed to participation in war in any form.
Most of this data comes from statements appearing in the printed form which were adopted by the defendant by check mark or signature. When the whole form is considered, including his own added comments, no such clear-cut statement is presented.
For example, Question No. 2 in Series II on Religious Training and Belief, asks:
Describe the nature of your belief which is the basis of your claim made *251in Series I above, and state whether or not your belief in a Supreme Being involves duties which to you are superior to those arising from any human relation.
The defendant had signed a printed statement in Series I which read:
I am, by reason of my religious training and belief, conscientiously opposed to participation in war in any form and I am further conscientiously opposed to participation in noncombatant training and service in the Armed Forces. I, therefore, claim exemption from both combatant and noncombatant training and service in the Armed Forces.
When asked to describe the nature of this belief in Question No. 2, the defendant said merely:
“Islam I am not a citizen of United States.”
Question No. 5 asked “Under what circumstances, if any, do you believe in the use of force ?” Defendant answered: “If someone attack me, I will fight back.”
When asked to describe the actions and behavior in his life which in his opinion most conspicuously demonstrated the consistency and depth of his religious con-convictions, in Question No. 6 defendant put in one word only: “Peace.” In answer to Question No. 7, on whether he had ever given public expression, written or oral, to the views expressed as the basis for his claim, he said “no.” Then in Series IV, Question No. 2, “Are you a member of a religious sect or organization?” defendant said “no.”
I cannot agree that on this meager information the Board was obliged to reopen its case particularly in view of the fact that the defendant did not request the form for Conscientious Objector until 10 days after an order issued in November, 1961, directing him to report for a physical examination, having ignored notice of his right to appeal his initial classification of 1-A, notice of which was sent to him in February, 1961. I would affirm the decision of the District Court.