Biography
John E. Downey was a conscientious objector from Ohio imprisoned during World War I. Court-martialed for refusing military service, he was held at Fort Leavenworth; Fort Douglas. Sentenced to 20 years in prison - reduced to 3 years. (Documented in the Swarthmore College Peace Collection's World War I Conscientious Objectors database.) Archival note: registered for the draft on June 5, 1917 but not as a CO; interviewed by Special Board, on charge of disobedience of orders, in June 1918 at Camp Sherman, in Sept. 1918 at Ft. Riley, and on Jan. 15, 1919 at the Disciplinary Barracks ; sentenced to 20 years in prison - reduced to 3 years; …
Case
United States Disciplinary Barracks, Fort Leavenworth