Appendices

I have included the following material as appendices because I didn't know where else they ought to go. I do feel they should be part of the story, so I have put them here.

I got this stuff from Michael's lawyer, whose name has come up several times and who I did properly thank in the acknowledgements. Matthew Donovan obtained these documents in two Freedom of Information suits, from the Selective Service System and the Department of the Army. During the time a criminal investigation was on-going they could not have been released, but Mr. Donovan has expressed his belief to me that these are now free of publication restrictions.

The first document is presented unedited. While it is in the cumbersome style of a minor bureaucratic official attempting to mime a legal idiom she fails to comprehend, I have refrained from reworking a report that deserves to be preserved intact. I say this as a minor bureaucrat myself, so I can readily appreciate the fleeting beauty of the artfully obscured emotion beneath an imposing outer layer of dispassionate language.

In the case of the second appendix, I have culled representative and I think most revealing sections from a document that runs forty-three pages. I have also with assistance reduced some psychiatric jargon to terms comprehensible to a layman, that is, to words I could understand myself. Beyond these slight interventions on my part, all material below is reproduced verbatim from the reports. I have taken only the small additional liberty of adding brief comments of mine at the very end of each appendix, never within the respective texts, except for clearly bracketed transitional material in Appendix II.

Appendix I

Selective Service System

Regional District VI

Branch Office 2

657-824-8135, Michael Charles Willetts

Minutes of Rehearing, Classification Appeal

September 11, 1966, 8:30 A.M.

I certify this summary of board proceedings, in accordance with regulation procedure, to be reported from notes recorded by me, appended by assertions requested by Mr. Willetts.

(Signed) Dorothy Johanson

Executive Secretary

All Board members present. Prior to Mr. Willetts' appearance, Chairman Neville reported this was to be a rehearing due to complaint filed on behalf of Mr. Willetts regarding alleged procedural errors in initial appeal request hearing. Chairman Neville instructed that it be recorded that the Board did not recognize the objections, but the rehearing was granted in the interest of fairness. Motion to waive reading of applicant's statement and support letters approved.

Mr. Willetts asked to read a statement. At Board request, new statement has been appended to applicant's original statement, in lieu of reading. questioning of applicant followed.

Mr. Ferguson asked for Willetts' position on use of violence for self-defense. Mr. Willetts answered in the affirmative, approving it for situations of immediate personal jeopardy. Line of questioning continued to reveal approval of self-defense for protection of family and friends. Mr. Ferguson asked if war was anything but an extension of that philosophy. Mr. Willetts denied the connection.

Mr. Dryden asked for Mr. Willetts to express position towards World War II. Mr. Willetts stated disapproval of war in all forms. Mr. Smith repeated question, wishing to know if Mr. Willetts would have refused service at that time. Mr. Willetts said he did not wish to give judgement on a question of history, stated again his inability to participate in wars of any form. Mr Dryden requested record to show Mr. Willetts' position on this issue, that he stated he would refuse to serve in World War II. (Appended by request of Mr. Willetts: Denial of refusal. Says he was unable to answer hypothetical historical question.) Mr. Neville said Mr. Willetts should be reminded that he was appearing before five veterans of World War II and to be careful what he said about it. Mr. Willetts said he would be careful.

Mr. White asked how Mr. Willetts' sincerity in his beliefs could be verified. Mr. Willetts suggested support letters as affirming his sincerity. Mr. White stated his view that a depth of sincerity is not established in the letters. Mr. Willetts asked what forms of additional support would be acceptable to the Board. Chairman Neville stated it is not the Board's responsibility to establish procedures to affirm sincerity of claimant. Role of the Board is to judge what is placed before it.

Mr. Dryden asked if Mr. Willetts supported burners of draft cards. Mr. Willetts refused to answer. (Appended by request of Mr. Willetts; Refusal to answer was not an indication of support for draft card burners. Refusal based upon belief question was not appropriate.)

(Appended by request of Mr. Willetts: Mr. Smith asked whether request for Conscientious Objector [hereafter referred to as C.O.] status was a maneuver on the part of Mr. Willetts to avoid service. Mr. Willetts stated his feeling this was an improper question and one of the grounds for requesting rehearing, as it was indicative of preconceived notions on the part of at least some Board members, if not all. Chairman Neville instructed that the question be stricken from the record. Mr. Willetts objected.)

Mr. Ferguson asked how long Mr. Willetts had held his present beliefs. He replied that he believed this was a restatement of the previous question. Chairman Neville stated this was a proper question. Mr. Willetts replied that his beliefs had been held for many years, as stated in his original letter, which he did not believe the Board had read. Chairman Neville said that remark was out of order, as the Board intended to discharge its responsibilities faithfully. Mr. Willetts said he hoped they would do so. Mr. Ferguson asked why a request for C.O. status was not made at the time of initial registration at age 18. Mr. Willetts replied this was due to lack of knowledge of proper procedure. Mr: Ferguson stated this was not an adequate answer for him. (Appended by request of Mr. Willetts: Mr. Willetts protested at this point about Board members giving opinions of his answers.)

Mr. Dryden asked if Mr. Willetts was bothered by the deaths of fellow Americans while he chose not to serve. Mr. Willetts replied that all deaths in combat bothered him. Mr. Dryden asked if he was bothered more or less by enemy casualties than the death of our own soldiers. Mr. Willetts stated they were of equal concern to him. Mr. White asked whether his refusal to fight in combat could lead to more deaths. Mr. Willetts replied that a refusal to fight should lead to fewer deaths rather than more. Mr. Dryden said Mr. Willetts did not understand the purpose of war.

Mr. Ferguson asked what would happen if everyone felt the same way Mr. Willetts did. Mr. Willetts said he believed there was little danger in that occurring. Chairman Neville asked for a further reply. Mr. Willetts said he was unable to speak for others, but as he was the first from this area to request this classification, he doubted whether there would be much problem here from people with beliefs similar to his. He said there appeared to be an ample number of willing participants in the Selective Service process. Mr. Smith asked if he could see how considerable morale problem could result if this practice became widespread, not only here but throughout the country. Mr. Willetts said he did not believe that would occur. Mr. Smith said it would not occur if he, Mr. Smith, had anything to say about it.

Mr. White asked why Mr. Willetts thought no one else from this area had requested C.O. status, did Mr. Willetts feel he was more deserving of special consideration. Mr. Willetts said he could not speak for others on this matter either, that if they chose not to express beliefs such as these, it was a matter for their own conscience. (Appended by request of Mr. Willetts: He also stated that a request for C.O status was a legal action, provided for in Selective Service regulations, so that his being here today indicated a willingness to cooperate.)

Mr. Smith asked if he believed other soldiers enjoyed the obligations of fighting. Mr. Willetts said he was being asked once more the thoughts of others, but he also felt the answer to the question was yes, many do like fighting. Mr. Smith said that no one enjoys killing, but it is necessary as a patriotic duty in war Mr. Willetts said Mr. Smith should not judge other people's feelings either, as he was sure there were some who did get pleasure from causing death Chairman Neville requested an end to this exchange as he did believe it was getting anywhere.

Chairman Neville asked if he had been encouraged by others to seek C.O. status. Mr. Willetts said others have supported him since making up his mind, but the initial decision was entirely his own. Chairman Neville asked if while at college in Oregon he had been influenced by professors or others he may have met. Mr. Willetts said he was only at Reed College for a short period, not long enough to be greatly affected. Mr. White asked if he ever read books or magazines or other literature which advocated not serving in the Army. Mr. Willetts said he was not a political person, and did not recall any article or book which took that position. Mr. White asked if he may have read articles of that sort and not remember. Mr. Willetts said that was always possible Mr. White said propaganda worked that way. Mr. Willetts said he did not believe he had ever been subjected to propaganda Mr. White said exposure to propaganda was the best explanation for his present behavior.

Mr. Dryden asked if going to school was for the purpose of avoiding military service. Mr. Willetts said it was not or he could have attended a four year institution rather than coming back to Yuba City to attend a junior college Mr. Ferguson asked if he had gotten married to avoid service, Mr. Willetts said he knew at the time marriage was no longer sufficient grounds for deferment, so the answer was no. Mr. Dryden said there was a clear pattern in Mr. Willetts' history of seeking to avoid military service. In his opinion, this made the sincerity of Mr. Willetts' present claim extremely questionable. Mr. Willetts answered that going to school and getting married were not done because of his draft status. Mr. Dryden said the appearance was clearly there of his true intent.

Chairman Neville asked his plans if and when C.O. status is denied. Mr. Willetts said he hoped that would not happen. Chairman Neville asked if Mr Willetts accepted the authority of the Board and would stand by its judgement. Mr. Willetts said it was not proper to ask for prior acceptance of whatever judgement would be rendered. Chairman Neville said he ought to be reminded he was appearing before a group of local citizens, who would not be subject to the dictates of Washington. Chairman Neville advised Mr. Willetts to accept the Board's judgement when the time comes, because the decision here would be in his best interest and would be made by men who understand the local situation.

Mr. White asked if Mr. Willetts had specific objection to the conflict in Vietnam. Mr. Willetts answered that he did, but he was opposed to all wars and not only this one. Mr. Dryden said that Vietnam was the only war we had at present, so it was easy for Mr. Willetts to say he was against the rest. Mr. Willetts said it was not easy, especially at the moment Mr. Smith said he had no way of proving he wasn't trying to avoid putting himself into a risk situation where he could face death Mr. Willetts said he did not fear his own death He feared causing the death of innocent people. Mr. White said innocent people were not killed in war. Mr. Willetts said he must not be reading the papers. Mr. White said the minutes should indicate that Mr. Willetts acknowledged following newspaper accounts of Vietnam, and so could have been unconsciously influenced by biased news reporting.

Chairman Neville asked what Mr. Willetts meant by saying he had fear of war, but did not have fear of his own death. It appeared to him that not having fear of death would mean no fear of war Mr. Willetts cited provisions of the Selective Service Act referring to "no rest or peace" as a result of participation in war as proper grounds for claiming C.O. status, and said he feared never being the same if forced to commit immoral acts. Mr. Ferguson said he was certain he would become accustomed to the demands of war, as all soldiers do. Mr. Willetts said he feared coming to condone killing and did not wish that to happen.

Mr. Dryden asked if Mr. Willetts had sympathy for the Viet Cong. Mr. Willetts said he did have sympathy for them. Mr. Dryden said Mr Willetts would feel differently if one of them killed an Army buddy of his. Mr. Willetts said he had no Army buddies. Mr. White asked if he felt himself to be a believer in the American system. Mr. Willetts said he definitely is. Mr. White asked how a person could believe in American and not be willing to fight for it. Mr. Willetts answered that he saw no necessary connection between the two. Mr White said he was a poor student of history.

Mr. Ferguson asked if Mr. Willetts felt he was a rebellious person. Mr. Willetts said he did not believe so. Mr. Ferguson asked why then he doubted the wisdom of both the government and the people in this room Mr. Willetts said he did not doubt their wisdom, but he did not feel he was able to participate in war even if they felt war was the proper course He was not engaged in active protest of the war.

Chairman Neville asked Mr. Willetts what he felt would happen to him if he did fight. Mr. Willetts said he was not mentally capable of fighting. Chairman Neville requested further explanation of that answer. Mr. Willetts said he did not have a military mind and could not participate in systematic organized killing. Mr. Smith said Mr. Willetts could have no way of knowing if he was incapable of killing in this manner, as he had never tried it Mr Smith said he was certain Mr. Willetts could kill if the situation required it. Mr Willetts said a lot would have to happen to him before he could imagine that as a possibility.

Mr. Ferguson asked if Mr Willetts could imagine what would happen to him if he were a Soviet citizen and were requesting exemption from service. Mr. Ferguson said he would be in Siberia before he knew what hit him. Mr. Willetts said the difference in America appeared to him to be that here before they sent you to Siberia they argued with you a lot first. Mr. Willetts apologized for what he labelled as a joke. Chairman Neville said he should be warned there was no humor whatsoever in this situation. Mr. Willetts said he entirely agreed.

Mr. Dryden asked if Mr. Willetts had attempted to persuade others of draft age that they should attempt to request C.O. status. Mr. Willetts said he had not advised anyone as to what they should do about their draft classification, as he did not feel he had been very successful so far. Mr. White asked why Mr. Willetts had felt it to be necessary to consult with an attorney who specialized in draft resistance. Mr. Willetts said the attorney he spoke to counseled about draft problems, she was not encouraging resistance, Mr. White said he had not heard of a case of a young man going to one of these attorneys to receive assistance in having a deferment dropped so they could be inducted immediately. Mr. Willetts answered that he had never heard of a Draft Board voluntarily granting a deferment, so it would be natural to find attorneys were consulted when the Board failed so often to accept such requests. Mr. Dryden said they were not a court of law anyway, and he couldn't see why attorneys should be involved at all. Mr. Willetts said he believed he was within his rights to seek information from whatever parties able to supply it, Chairman Neville said this was correct, but his case was not helped by being aggressive about this position. Mr. Willetts said he doubted there was much he could do to help his case.

Mr. Smith asked if Mr. Willetts felt himself to be a religious person. Mr. Willetts said he was, but no longer faithfully attended services and had not done so since he was much younger. Mr. Smith asked how he could claim to have deeply held moral convictions while presenting no evidence of religious beliefs. Mr. Willetts said the law did not require C.O. convictions to be based upon religious beliefs Mr, White said to leave the law out of it, he was talking about beliefs. Mr. Willetts said he honestly believed his life would be irreparably scarred by participation in war, and that was the simple basis of his claim. Mr. Ferguson asked if Mr Willetts expected them to believe his intelligent mind was so fragile that doing his patriotic duty could destroy it. Mr. Willetts said that was his claim. Mr. Ferguson said he should not sell himself short, that he might be capable of doing many more things than he thought, and could be improved rather than harmed in the process. (Appended by request of Mr. Willetts: He wishes it noted that opinions were frequently offered as to his mental condition.)

Mr. White asked Mr. Willetts if he had difficulty keeping a job. Mr. Willetts asked what had led to that impression, Mr. White said he had heard that reported, which is one of the reasons Boards are made up of local people, so they may have additional ways of getting information. Mr. Willetts said it was not true and he would be regularly employed once his draft status was resolved. (Appended by request of Mr. Willetts: Mr. White said he better not count on getting out that easy. Mr. White denies saying this. Other Board members concur with Mr. White.)

Mr. Ferguson asked if Mr. Willetts had been frequently outspoken while a high school student in classroom discussions about rights of people to protest, giving draft card burnings as an example. Mr. Willetts asked who had been reporting to him about his classroom conduct, whether teachers at the high school made information specially available to him. Mr. Ferguson said their sources of information were not his concern and Mr. Willetts should realize that unusual things he does in Yuba City while other people are present will naturally be noticed and reported, so he shouldn't be surprised when his words come back to haunt him, Mr. Willetts said high school students while learning, especially when exploring serious issues which are new to them, are likely to say many things, He does not remember if he ever made a statement to the effect just quoted, but if he did, within that context he had a perfect right to, without having it reported back years later as testimony against him, Mr, White asked if that meant his answer was yes. Mr, Willetts said he had answered a question about draft card burning already. Mr. White said this was an answer he believed more than the first one, Mr. Ferguson recollected that Mr. Willetts refused to answer the question when it was first asked, and now he could see the reason for this refusal.

Chairman Neville said he believed the Board had questioned Mr. Willetts fully and thoroughly, and given him ample opportunity to express his views. Chairman Neville said he hoped this matter was now concluded so that Mr. Willetts would not require meeting with the Board again. Mr. Willetts said he hoped this would be their last meeting too.

I have read the recorded minutes and been allowed to

append them where I felt necessary. To my memory, this is

a correct record of the hearing. I reserve the right, as

indicated in the Selective Service Act, to provide further

emendation, submitted in writing, for up to thirty days

from this date

(Signed) Michael C. Willetts

September 11, 1966

Appendix II

Excerpt from Psychiatrist's Transcript and Report

Michael was referred to an Army psychiatrist for a determination regarding military fitness following his appearance for induction on March 3, 1967. It is implied in the report below that such referral was routine procedure in cases where self-mutilation may have occurred, but I have not been able to verify that such was the case. The policy seems to have been that being without various parts of the body (arms, legs, fingers, toes) or the proper functioning of damaged organs (eyes, ears, drug or alcohol induced liver and kidney ailments) did not necessarily disqualify an individual from service. The Army felt, however, that cases of this sort might indicate psychological disturbances which ought to be investigated prior to induction. Deciding whether to delay induction for a Psychiatrist's report appears to have been a discretionary power of the original examining board. It is clear, and rather surprising, that the Army did draft a number of men who had inflicted these kinds of injuries upon themselves in a belief that they would then be ineligible for the Draft. The final determination, if they reached that plateau, was still up to the psychiatrist, who was assigned the task of judging both mental competence and whether physical disabilities as a result of injuries incurred required restrictions upon combat availability. From this meeting, recommendations would go back to the Draft Board for further action, either the issuing of a new induction date or a reclassification for medical deferment.

The question of mental competence for military service is, of course, extremely interesting and complex. To anyone wishing to explore the issue further, I would very much recommend an article I found, called "The Military Mind: Causes and Cures" by Brig. Gen. Phillip Benning, which appeared in the Journal of Military Science, Fall-Winter 1972, pages 65-84. One of Gen. Benning's points is that evidence of antisocial behavior in a recruit's civilian life could suggest an ability to function more successfully as a soldier His idea is that the obedience of the soldier to authority so often singled out for emphasis by the military is less significant in combat than a marked initiative towards display of spontaneous violent tendencies, That's a considerable simplification, though, of an article that's worth a look if the subject is of concern to you.

Michael was assigned an interview with Dr. David Korvel, a staff psychiatrist at Courtland Army Hospital near Sacramento, Courtland was mentioned earlier as the VA facility where Jack Finley went for treatment, but there's no important connection there, It's probably the closest place to Yuba City to find an Army psychiatrist. It does seem rather neat that one could go to the same place whether you were too crazy to go into the Army or too crazy from having been in, and that both Michael and Jack had seen psychiatrists at the same hospital. I'm mentioning this only because I don't want anyone else to waste time on this point or think I hadn't noticed. Don't hold me responsible for little coincidences of that sort. It's only a building. I could have invented a name of another hospital and avoided the whole thing if I wanted to. The truth is unfortunately loaded with meaningless juxtaposition and insignificant irony, and we encounter cases like this with unusual frequency.

The material to follow would be too harrowing to read did we not already know the outcome. Since we have here the only instance in the entire catalog of Michael's dealings with anyone connected with Selective Service of a decision coming out in his favor, we might best treat this anomaly as a final entertaining diversion in a story all too lacking in amusement or pleasurable reward. It's been a shame that the truth is also so often depressing. To wind up, then, we can dive into musty Army files for some brief moments of comedy, although equally as factual as the gory stuff we've gone through to reach where we are now.

The first excerpts are from the transcript of the interview. This will be followed by a summary of the psychiatrist's conclusions, and then I'll return for a last good bye.

Excerpt #l - pages 3-6 of document transcript

Dr. Korvel: So you still won't tell me what happened to cause you to lose your finger?

Michael Willetts: Which one?

Q: Not again, please!

A: OK, I'll tell you as soon as you tell me how much of the hair on your head really belongs to you. I admit what I've taken off, you admit what you've put on.

Q: That's not funny.

A: You're telling me. I'm the one who has to sit here and look at it.

Q: If this attitude is your method of feigning insanity, don't expect it to work.

A: I bet you can't say feigning insanity five times very fast.

Q: Feigning insanity five times very fast.

A: I guess I lose. You're good, Doc. I should have realized who I was messing with.

Q: Now that I've descended to your level, we better get on with this. You're wasting your time and worse, my time, and you're fouling things up for yourself. Unless I see genuine reason to find you mentally unfit, then finger or no finger, you go in.

A: It'll have to be no finger if I go in, I guess. I don't think I can put it back on.

Q: You know what I mean.

A: Just kidding, Doc,

Q: And call me Doc one more time and you may leave a few other fingers here.

A: Don't get aggressive. Someone else might see you and want to ship you overseas.

Q: Oh good. Low-level draft protester humor, You have no idea how much of this I get in a day.

A: Difficult job huh, doing your share to get our nerve-shattered youth willingly into uniform, I wish I could sympathize with you.

Q: It's time we started talking about you, if you're sincerely trying to avoid that fate yourself. I'll remind you again I'm still all that stands in your way of going straight back to Oakland Induction.

A: Then stand in my way. I don't mind.

Q: I will ask you again, and I better receive a serious answer this time. Was the wound that led to the loss of your finger self-inflicted?

A: No, I fell asleep with my hand under the pillow one night, and the finger fairy came and took it away.

Q: One more of those and I'll drive you to Travis Air Force Base myself and put you on the next plane to Saigon.

A: OK, I can see I've reached your threshold. Try to appreciate the pressure I've been under and make a few allowances, Most of the time I'm a very serious guy.

Q: I don't give a shit. Just answer my question.

A: Psychiatrists aren't supposed to say they don't give a shit They're meant to display deep humanitarian concern.

Q: Then don't pay my bill.

A: Rather than hear your jokes, I'll tell you what you want to know I'm happy to talk about it, actually. I'll be interested to hear what you say.

Q: Don't expect me to say anything. I'm not here to get the story of how when you were six years old you shit in your mother's lap and never got over it. All I want to see is if you're too wacko to do your country some good.

A: I just thought if we established some rapport here, that maybe you did some freelance shrinking on the side to supplement your income.

Q: Let me warn you again, everything we are saying is being recorded, so be very careful about attempting to offer me a bribe.

A: Thanks for the warning. I wouldn't want difficulties with the authorities.

Q: Now, let's find out about you.

A: OK. After all, you're the doctor.

Excerpt #2 - pages 19-28 of document transcript

[Michael proceeded after the above to give a reasonably direct account of the finger-cutting incident, very close to what I

had to worm out of him after hours of preparation and digging. That, plus various witty exchanges where one can detect Dr. Korvel's sympathies beginning to shift towards Michael, lead us to here.]

A: And now you know the story of my life.

Q: Do you think there has been an organized campaign to get you?

A: Am I paranoid? Is that what you want to know?

Q: I'll supply the technical terms. You answer the questions.

A: What could be more organized than five old men and an executive secretary in a room passing judgement on my moral sincerity?

Q: That's called the law.

A: I'm trying to give a serious answer, so don't crack jokes back at me.

Q: Do you bear a grudge against the Draft Board?

A: Go ask them their opinion of me.

R: They're not the ones I'm examining for sanity. I'm asking you.

A: A grudge? That's a funny word. Like I could find some way to get even. No, not particularly. Not against them.

Q: Then against who?

A: You don't have time.

Q: Try me.

A: Well, you could make my list real easily if you keep this up.

Q: What up?

A: Hostility, condescension, impatience, arrogance, wanting to put me in uniform and give me a gun.

Q: If I'm on your list, as you put it, what would happen to me?

A: You're not on the list yet. You're on my list of potential people who could wind upon the real list.

Q: And from there where would I go?

A: From there you wouldn't go anywhere.

Q: Never?

A: Eventually you'd get taken care of.

Q: By who?

A: To you, it wouldn't make any difference. It would be all over.

Q: So you're saying if you have reason to think I'm out to get you, someday you'll kill me.

A: You shouldn't be sounding so paranoid yourself, Doctor, it's not healthy. I'm just a harmless kid. What could I do to anybody? The only person I've hurt so far is myself. I'm the one with the physical disability.

Q: You know that isn't much of a disability. You could still fire a gun, for instance.

A: But I'm right-handed, and that was my right trigger finger.

Q: Pick up a rifle sometime and see, as long as I'm nowhere around at the time. Your middle finger works just as efficiently as your index finger. You dumb shmucks who do this never think about it first, do you. The only thing that's harder for you now is picking the right side of your nose. As far as the Army's concerned, you're prime material, even better than you were before.

A: Oh yeah?

Q: Sure. You've demonstrated guts it didn't look like you had. Before, you were just another candyass chickenshit crybaby.

A: Are those medical terms.

Q: When you did this, you gave a real good indication you might make it as a soldier.

A: Too bad I didn't cut off both arms and legs. Then I could have come in as a Colonel. If I had shot myself you could have made me a General.

Q: Just don't act like one lousy finger is worth shit. You're only here now instead of in some jungle because regulations require it. Nobody's impressed by you. You're right, I am sorry this is taking so goddam long. You're not that interesting a case. You think you're hot shit. You don't matter to anybody else.

A: Then why is this taking so long?

Q: Because I don't have anything yet that I can use in filling out the forms.

A: What do you need?

Q: There's a space here, for instance, where I have to give examples of sincere erratic behavior which I personally witness.

A: What is sincere erratic behavior?

Q: It means that you're not faking just to get out.

A: Why are you telling me this?

Q: My job's not easy. Seeing guys like you all day long is no bed of roses. It can be pretty disheartening. I'm lucky I've only got four more months of this, then I can get a nice normal practice, not you crazies.

A: You're not career Army?

Q: Hell no. They draft doctors faster than anybody else. I'm serving my stretch, same as you're trying not to.

A: Then it's not the same, if you're doing it and I'm not.

Q: I have a valuable future to protect. You obviously have nothing else to do with your life than to cause trouble for other people. And the only way you're not is if I say so. Otherwise you'd be in and it wouldn't be at some desk job like me. Where you'll go, they'll be dropping your letters from helicopters.

A: No one writes me anyway.

Q: Good, then you shouldn't have trouble adjusting.

A: What if I said I'm going to get up right now and come over and slit your throat?

Q: Would you be sincere?

A: I'm supposed to be, aren't I, otherwise it doesn't count.

Q: If you are really sincere, that'd certainly be in your favor but if you're really really sincere, I'd advise you against it, because if I would favorably recommend medical deferment, I can't very well do that if I'm dead.

A: I could wait until you sign the forms, and then kill you.

Q: I never fill out the forms until after the interview has been completed. The paperwork always takes time.

A: I could come back later.

Q: Then I'd be able to call a guard after you leave, if I thought you were really going to kill me.

A: Then how should I kill you?

Q: If you were sincere, it wouldn't matter what I was going to recommend, you'd do it anyway.

A: So if I kill you now, I can be sure I won't have to kill anybody later as a soldier.

Q: But if you don't kill me, you might not have to anyway.

A: But unless I do, you might not think I was sincere.

Q: You got it.

A: I read something like this in a book, where it was done better. Maybe I should kill you, or this routine might never end.

Q: OK already, I believe you would kill me. But that's not enough. There are more spaces on the form to fill in examples and it takes more than threatening to kill me to show you're crazy, even if you're sincere in intending to do it. Murder is too common to be indisputable proof of insanity, at least on its own A: How much erratic behavior does the Army require? To get deferred I mean, not once you're in.

Q: Oh, no set amount. It's at my discretion, but we gotta have more than we've got now.

A: If this is being recorded, how can you be telling me this?

Q: That's easy. Once it's in the files, nobody will ever read it. Why would they want to?

A: What if I accused you of ...

Q: Of what? Explaining procedures to you? Who's going to listen to you? You've got to be kidding. Asking that is practically another example of you being out of your mind. Anything I say can be defended as a way of drawing you out, trying to get on your side, even saying this right now. When you're a shrink, anything you say is explainable later.

A: And anything I say can be explained as me trying to act like I'm crazy. What if I hadn't shown up at all? What then?

Q: No, that would have been too rational. Besides, it's too late now. You're here.

A: Then that should be crazy, if not showing up would have been sane.

Q: If only it were that simple!

A: In the other book it was.

Q: Too bad this isn't a book then. Thinking you're in a book is good, though. That's crazy. I like that one, I think that'll work. The part about what we're saying sounding like a book you read is good, because then you think I'm made up too. Now we're getting someplace.

A: So far I'm going to slit your throat, plus we're both characters in a book. What else should I do crazy?

Q: That's up to you. How can I tell you? If you followed my instructions, that wouldn't be crazy either.

A: Unless you're a character in my book, then your instructions would be from me, so I could still be crazy if I followed what you said.

Q: Wonderful!

A: I thought you'd like that, you cocksucker. You can afford to enjoy this.

Q: That's great! Bitterness, alienation, quick changes of mood From the heights to the depths. I'm getting to like you, Willetts.

A: And I think you stink. I don't care what you report about me. You are a complete and total asshole.

Q: Fantastic! Wanton disregard for your personal well-being. I offer to help you and you return my offer with abuse. Now you're on a roll.

A: Role my ass. I mean it.

Q: No, roll, not role. It's a show business term.

A: So is the other.

Q: You've got a point there. Crazy, but a point.

A: I hate your guts. I'm here worried about my life, and you want to play games at my expense. I should slit your throat. I don't care how nonviolent I am, you fucking deserve it, jerking me around like this.

Q: Great! Now I believe you. And we've got plenty for the forms.

A: Thanks, Doc. And I hope you didn't take anything I said personally. No offense, believe me.

Q: Shit, you saying you didn't mean it?

A: I mean it! I mean it!

Excerpt #3 - pages 42-44 of document transcript

[Nothing significant in section deleted following last excerpt, except for Dr. Korvel reaffirming he will recommend medical deferment. Michael continues to waiver between appreciation and outright hostility, or pretending to either or both. This part to follow comes at the very end of the interview.]

Q: Did you ever think you might do more good for the Army if you were in it, working for change from the inside? It's so easy to be critical from where you're sitting. If you hate it so much, you could think about reforming it.

A: If you mean that, you're crazier than I am.

Q: Take it easy. Just testing.

A: Easy for you to say. I thought you were serious.

Q: Maybe I am.

A: I'm getting real tired of this game. I don't know what you mean anymore, and I don't know if I mean what I'm answering.

Q: It's a shame you don't want to serve. You show perfect understanding of what it means to be in the military.

A: Can I ask you something? Serious? I know you said I'd get the medical deferment for something about my medical condition. But really, honestly, do you think I'm crazy?

Q: How should I know? I can't talk to somebody for half an hour and come up with an intelligent answer to that. The Army doesn't really expect me to. I just try to weed out the total loonies, the guys who look like they'd wipe out anybody who had their back turned, the weirdos with chips on their shoulders for reasons nobody can figure out. I have no idea if you're really crazy. I do think somebody who chops off one of his fingers isn't a person I'd hire to babysit for my kids, but it doesn't show that much. I'm doing this because I think otherwise if you were sent back for induction again you'd come in one more finger short and then I'd have to see you again. I know we could do that ten times before you started on your toes, and I'd rather have it over now. If the Army needs a guy like you that bad, we've lost the war already.

A: It's still funny, after all this, finally getting what I wanted. It doesn't seem worth it.

Q: I have just one more question.

A: Shoot.

Q: Is my toupee really that noticeable? I'm only thirty-one and I don't want to look bald yet.

A: Naw. I was just kidding. Same as I was about slitting your throat.

Q: Go on, get out of here before I change my mind. And don't go and do anything that would ever make me sorry I let you off this easy.

Summary of Findings

{In the last part of Dr. Korvel's report, there's a section where he's instructed to summarize his findings. As described earlier, I have somewhat reworked this section, with professional assistance, to make it more comprehensible to the average reader.]

Willetts is unfit for military service because his psychotic tendencies are manifested in masochistic behavior which could be subverted into centrifugal hostility if subjected to stress. Under combat conditions, he could easily fail to differentiate demarcated separations between allied and enemy personnel and property. He could not be relied upon to inflict casualties upon command, though clearly capable if properly motivated.

As is common in individuals of superior intellect, Willetts believes there is some scheme he can devise and subsequently rely upon to accomplish any desired goal. As a result, he will only commit to an action after he has worked through a full complement of options. As he views these alternatives, his tendency is to prefer methods which will lead to self-damaging conclusions. He has a recklessness in personal matters which would be difficult for the Army to exploit. He will fail to respond to disciplinary techniques, and could not be relied upon to act in concerted efforts initiated at higher levels and in the absence of his consultation or direction.

The severed digit is not the result of aforesaid masochistic tendencies, or even of schizophrenic personality disorder, although Willetts shows evidence of both in other forms of behavior. Willetts is exhibitionistic in the extreme, and displays unusual pride in the injury to himself. Atypical of cases of this sort is his continued movement of deprived hand, making the still-bandaged stump visually prominent during discussion. As would be expected, given the nature of his act, castration paranoia is an obvious motivation, and I see little at variance with the classic syndrome. Rebellion against father figure is a clear component as well, clear in both act of self-mutilation and continued mixture of admiration and hostility towards persons of authority, such as myself. Willetts was appreciative of all attempts to put him at ease through use of sophisticated humor, but felt overly obliged to attempt to demonstrate capabilities of his own in this area, to surpass his father, as it were. Also demonstrated unusual desire to control interview process by reversing questions or restating them, when questions were clear and direct in the first place.

Willetts has a strong component of aggression, but violent tendencies will come out only if there is continual exposure to conflict situations. While not suitable for military service, he does not pose any further threat. He does not appear to be overly preoccupied with traumatic memories, and under normal circumstances should not cause problems for anyone. Present psychological disorders leading to recommendation of medical deferment should diminish, in absence of further threat of induction.

Willetts' fear of military service is clearly a form of mental instability, far beyond expected reluctance to serve of a typically withdrawn draft age youth. He would cause problems in excess to his possible worth to the Army, and is certain not to perform in satisfactory fashion. Grounds for deferment, as indicated in appropriate locations on form, are erratic personal behavior, injury to self without consideration of intention, inability to situate himself in real terms. If placed in stress situation, Willetts could likely fail to connect personal action with physical result, later not realizing what acts he had committed. He is particularly unable to distinguish between truth and fiction, tending to have constructed elaborate fantasies which he is quite prepared to take entirely for real. He is too ready to believe what he is told without consideration of source, and is too easily led as a result to forms of pretending which he later mistakes to be memories of genuine activity. He lacks discriminatory abilities to provide verification of incoming data, and has an equal inability in communicating with others to

indicate whether what he's saying is a sincerely held belief. He does not engage in lying, but his overacceptance of fictional constructs is equally a mental activity and a verbal one, that is, he both imagines things which have not occurred and speaks of them as if he deeply believes them to be real. He could not be counted upon in a combat situation to realize where he was, and conversely, would visualize any manner of activity as taking place when it exists only in his mind.

In short, Michael Willetts is entirely unfit for military service. We are fortunate he chose to cut off one of his fingers, as otherwise his mental instability would never have been subject to examination. He is best left in a civilian environment, his thoughts and imaginings as far removed from military activities as possible. His exposure has already been excessive, but we have now been able to dissociate ourselves from further consequences.

A final note from me: This time it's really good bye. I know enough about Michael and Yuba City and the Draft and who is fit to kill people to last me for a long, long time. I'm glad I got all this down on paper (the last time I will say that!), and I hope I have answered a lot of questions you had about this case. I still wish it never happened.