Rudoph J. Vrana

Sent first to Governor’s Island, then to Camp Dix; court-martial trial took place at Camp Dix (NJ) on Nov. 15, 1917; charged with violation of the 64th Article of War for refusing on Oct. 20 to “sign a declaration of soldier, on the back of the National Army Enlistment and Assignment Card” and on Oct. 20 to “go upstairs and prepare for physical examination” -- he pled not guilty to both charges; wrote that he did not “believe [that] killing is proper”; interviewed by Board of Inquiry; court-martialed on Nov. 15, 1917; first U.S. conscript sentenced to be shot (of 17); an International Socialist.