Smoke jumping on the Western fire line : conscientious objectors during World War II
"This book tells the story of one important group of World War II conscientious objectors: the men who volunteered for Civilian Public Service as U.S. Forest Service smoke jumpers. Delving into the reasons, mainly religious, why these men chose not to engage in military conflict, Matthews proves that they were anything but cowards; instead, as they risked their lives by parachuting into America's western wildernesses to fight fires, they demonstrated true patriotism and courage."--Jacket
Nonfiction
xvii, 316 pages : illustrations, maps ; 23 cm
9780806137667, 0806137665
62593685
Introduction. Civilian public service
1. Conscientious objection in America
2. The historic peace churches
3. Yellowbellies
4. Hard choices
5. Birth of smoke jumping
6. Boot camp
7. Hit the silk
8. The long wait
9. Wild encounters
10. Eyes in the skies
11. Under fire
12. Home away from home
13. Lifelong commitment
Appendix. Letters home