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John Kos

Released
Gender:Male
Race:White
Era:1910s
State:Minnesota
Time Imprisoned:
3 Years 0 Days
Support
Anti-War Conscientious Objection
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Biography

John Kos was a conscientious objector from Minnesota imprisoned during World War I. Court-martialed for refusing military service, he was held at Fort Leavenworth. Sentenced to 5 years in prison - reduced to 2. (Documented in the Swarthmore College Peace Collection's World War I Conscientious Objectors database.) Archival note: registered for draft on June 5, 1917 but not as a CO; interviewed by Special Bd. re: 58th article of war at the Disciplinary Barracks on Feb. 14, 1919; sentenced to 5 years in prison - reduced to 2.5 years; was Russian, not a U.S. citizen; WAS HE A CO?

Case

United States Disciplinary Barracks, Fort Leavenworth
Charges: Disobeying orders; refusal of military service (World War I court-martial of a conscientious objector)
Incarcerated: 1917
Released: 1920
Sentence: Sentenced to 5 years in prison - reduced to 2. Held at Fort Leavenworth.
Convicted: Yes
Institution State: Kansas