Vietnam Draft Board Raids, Part 1

Apr 7, 2025

Explore the daring draft board raids that punctuated the antiwar movement during the Vietnam War, driven by moral conviction and community actions. Discover the historical context, from U.S. involvement in Vietnam to the emergence of groups like the Camden 28. Delve into acts of protest, such as burning draft cards and vandalism targeting draft boards, which highlighted deep societal divisions. Uncover the personal stories and sacrifices of those involved and how these moments shaped a larger narrative of resistance and change.

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ANECDOTE

The Bondus Incident

Barry Bondus, after receiving his draft notice, listed his birthplace as Earth and race as human.
He later dumped buckets of human waste into a draft board file cabinet.

ANECDOTE

The Baltimore Four

The Baltimore Four, including Philip Berrigan, poured blood onto draft records in protest.
They issued a statement connecting the draft records to the waste of American and Vietnamese blood.

ANECDOTE

The Catonsville Nine

Inspired by the Baltimore Four, the Catonsville Nine, including the Berrigan brothers and George Misha, burned draft files with napalm.
This act followed the Tet Offensive and declining public support for the war.

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The draft board raids were part of an antiwar movement, largely grounded in Catholic religious convictions, that spanned almost four years. Part one covers the basic context of the Vietnam War and why the U.S. was involved in the first place, and the earliest raids on draft boards.

Research:

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