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On January 21, 1977, President Jimmy Carter pardoned almost all Vietnam War draft evaders. From the article:
"Carter pardons draft dodgers
On this day in 1977, President Jimmy Carter pardons all Vietnam War draft dodgers.
During his presidential campaign, Carter had announced his intention to pardon those who had failed to register for the draft or left the country to avoid service. In a televised debate with incumbent President Gerald Ford, Carter proposed to implement a blanket pardon, in contrast to Ford’s more selective clemency plan. Carter interpreted pardon as meaning that what you did, whether it’s right or wrong, you’re forgiven for it. And I do advocate a pardon for draft evaders.to bring about an end to the divisiveness that has occurred in our country as a result of the Vietnam War. On his second day in office, January 21, 1977, he followed through on his promise.
A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Carter served on battleships and submarines for eight years, although he did not see combat. His pardon of draft dodgers enraged veterans and was cheered by amnesty groups. Critics argued that not only would the pardon encourage future draftees to defy the law, it was an affront to the men who served and died during the war.
Carter’s pardon stated that only civilians who were convicted of [violating] the Military Selective Service Act by draft-evasion acts or omissions committed between August 4, 1964 and March 28, 1973 were eligible. The pardon was unconditional and wiped criminal records clean, but it only applied to civilians, not the estimated 500,000 to 1 million active-duty personnel who went AWOL (absent without leave) or deserted during the war. Many supporters of Carter’s decision thought they too should be forgiven by the government in an effort to heal national wounds."
"Carter pardons draft dodgers
On this day in 1977, President Jimmy Carter pardons all Vietnam War draft dodgers.
During his presidential campaign, Carter had announced his intention to pardon those who had failed to register for the draft or left the country to avoid service. In a televised debate with incumbent President Gerald Ford, Carter proposed to implement a blanket pardon, in contrast to Ford’s more selective clemency plan. Carter interpreted pardon as meaning that what you did, whether it’s right or wrong, you’re forgiven for it. And I do advocate a pardon for draft evaders.to bring about an end to the divisiveness that has occurred in our country as a result of the Vietnam War. On his second day in office, January 21, 1977, he followed through on his promise.
A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Carter served on battleships and submarines for eight years, although he did not see combat. His pardon of draft dodgers enraged veterans and was cheered by amnesty groups. Critics argued that not only would the pardon encourage future draftees to defy the law, it was an affront to the men who served and died during the war.
Carter’s pardon stated that only civilians who were convicted of [violating] the Military Selective Service Act by draft-evasion acts or omissions committed between August 4, 1964 and March 28, 1973 were eligible. The pardon was unconditional and wiped criminal records clean, but it only applied to civilians, not the estimated 500,000 to 1 million active-duty personnel who went AWOL (absent without leave) or deserted during the war. Many supporters of Carter’s decision thought they too should be forgiven by the government in an effort to heal national wounds."
Carter pardons draft dodgers
Posted from history.comPosted in these groups: 
Vietnam War
American History
Military History
Office of the President (POTUS)
Vietnam War American History Military History Office of the President (POTUS)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 13
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Too bad the American public who supported Carter's pardon of the draft dodgers, couldn't pardon those who served. They continued reviling and persecuting us for several more years. No, we didn't need their pardon. We did nothing that required pardoning. I'm simply pointing to their hypocrisy...
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SGT (Join to see)
I think Carter really thought he was helping to heal some of the wounds of the Vietnam War. However he did not see the unintended consequences of this. Some made bad choices, and seemed to get off without penalty. The vets felt disrespected for doing what was asked of them I have no Ill feelings for those who evaded the draft believing in their cause. However, they should have faced the consequences of their actions. Be like Thoreau, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr. and face the consequences. Go to jail as they did, or don't come back to enjoy the fruits without the difficulty of planting. CPT Jack Durish
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CPT Jack Durish
SGT (Join to see) - Our nation has benefited from those who practiced civil disobedience. They were our conscience. But, of all those persons you mentioned, it worked because they stood willing to accept the consequences of their actions. Those who wish to exercise freedom without taking responsibility for their decisions, their words, and their actions, are simply common criminals not deserving of pardon
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You have to wonder how many of Carter’s family and friends died while draft dodgers ran for Canada? But then, he also let Iran attack our sovereign soil and hold our diplomats hostage for a year or so. Tells you a lot about his leadership.
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SGT (Join to see)
MCPO Roger Collins out of curiosity, what does it tell you about his leadership?
After the Beirut barracks bombing, I don’t recall an overwhelming, immediate military response. (The naval bombardment a few months later that killed plenty of civilians that had nothing to do with anything was pretty impressive, though).
When a Chinese pilot crashed his plane into our spy plane, forcing it to land on Hainan Island, the crew was detained and the plane exploited. I don’t recall an overwhelming, immediate military response. (The strongly worded apology letter we sent them was pretty impressive, though)
After those incidents where our sovereign territory was attacked, and our friends were detained or died, what did those responses say about the leadership of those presidents?
After the Beirut barracks bombing, I don’t recall an overwhelming, immediate military response. (The naval bombardment a few months later that killed plenty of civilians that had nothing to do with anything was pretty impressive, though).
When a Chinese pilot crashed his plane into our spy plane, forcing it to land on Hainan Island, the crew was detained and the plane exploited. I don’t recall an overwhelming, immediate military response. (The strongly worded apology letter we sent them was pretty impressive, though)
After those incidents where our sovereign territory was attacked, and our friends were detained or died, what did those responses say about the leadership of those presidents?
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MCPO Roger Collins
SGT (Join to see) I don’t respond to anonymous posts. When you man up like the rest of us and are verified, I will gladly debate you.
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SGT (Join to see)
MCPO Roger Collins - it’s not a debate. It’s an honest question. I’m not even disagreeing with you. However, I’m a bit more cynical than you. Both sides have some poor leadership.
That said, I’m a bit more honest and realistic about our history. Eagle Claw ended up being a sh*t show, but the Carter administration at least had the fortitude to attempt it. And it’s hard to deny that the length of the hostage crisis ended up being a political d*ck swinging contest. They were released a half hour after Reagan became President. (And not because he had a great first 30 minutes).
If a public RP profile is the standard to “man up”, I respectfully decline. An honest question from ‘anonymous’ is far more valuable than most of the nonsense that many RP folks proudly stamp their name on in various posts.
That said, I’m a bit more honest and realistic about our history. Eagle Claw ended up being a sh*t show, but the Carter administration at least had the fortitude to attempt it. And it’s hard to deny that the length of the hostage crisis ended up being a political d*ck swinging contest. They were released a half hour after Reagan became President. (And not because he had a great first 30 minutes).
If a public RP profile is the standard to “man up”, I respectfully decline. An honest question from ‘anonymous’ is far more valuable than most of the nonsense that many RP folks proudly stamp their name on in various posts.
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