A June 5 letter writer denies Mitt Romney's draft record.
I am quite familiar with the draft system, having been drafted into the Army in 1968.
Romney's draft record was made clear in a Freedom of Information release by the Selective Service in 2007. In 1965, he first had a 1-SH, then a 2-S deferment. In 1966, he got a 4-D deferment as a "minister of religion or divinity student" for his Mormon mission, which lasted until 1969, when he regained his 2-S deferment. This lasted until December 1970, when he was reclassified 1-A (eligible).
However, that year, the draft changed to a lottery system based on birth date. His birth date was 300 of 365. Selective Service never got to that number so, in January 1972, he was reclassified 1-H (no longer subject to induction).
Had Romney been so injured in a car crash he could not serve, he would have been classified as 4-F (medically unfit.)
Romney has not specifically denied his draft record. However, he protested against those who protested the war and the draft then. He has indicated that he supported the Vietnam War and his spirit was there. He never volunteered. He got defer-ments that kept him from being drafted when it was likely. This seems hypocritical.
Many were drafted, served and died in Vietnam because they did not enjoy similar deferments.
Robert Faux
Makawao
