Joseph Beginsky

Joseph Beginsky was a conscientious objector from Pennsylvania imprisoned during World War I. Court-martialed for refusing military service, he was held at Fort Leavenworth Fort Douglas. Sentenced to 30 years in prison, reduced to 1. (Documented in the Swarthmore College Peace Collection's World War I Conscientious Objectors database.) Archival note: did not register on June 5, 1917; interviewed by Bd. in Feb. 1919 at Leavenworth; charged with Disobedience of Orders and with Disloyalty; sentenced to 30 years in prison, reduced to 1.5 years; was an “International Socialist”; not a member of any political party