TO ALL GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS SUPFORTING THE THREE: Srî<° Attached is a copy of a letter sent to Major General John High- tower, Commanding General, , , protesting the con­ ditions under which Pfc James Johnson, Pvt. Dennis Mora and Pvt. David Samas are being held in the Fort Dix stockade. It is important that the news of this treatment, including the fact that the Army refuses to allow these men newspapers, becomes as well known as possible and that it be protested as widely as possible. The letter will be included in a leaflet to be distributed to G.I.'s at bus ter­ minals and other gathering points for servicemen in the New York area. We suggest that this also be done in other areas, wherever servicemen congregate. This is particularly important because it brings great pressure to bear on the Army authorities even if the facts of this treatment and the protests are blacked out by the press. It is also important that as many prominent individuals as possible join in this protest. Professors, community leaders, religious figures, etc., should be contacted and asked to join Rev. Muste in this protest by appending their signature to his on the letter and/or by protesting this treatment independently to General Hightower, to the Secretary of the Army, and to Congressmen and Senators and other public officials. Fort Hood 3 Defense Committee 5 Beekman St. 10th fl. N.Y. N.Y.

1 The following letter was sent by Rev. A.J.. Muste, chairman of the Fifth Avenue Vietnam Peace Parade Committee and co-chairman of the recently formed Fort Hood Three Defense Committee, to Major General John Hightower, Commanding General, Fort Dix, New Jersey, protesting the treatment of three anti-war G.I.'s being held, there. The three G.I.'s, PFC James Johnson, Pvt. Dennis Mora and Pvt. David Samas, formerly of the lli2nd Signal Battalion, 2nd Armored Division, Fort Hood, , have instituted legal proceedings against the Vietnam war on the grounds that it is "unjust, immoral and illegal." They were picked up and forcibly taken to Fort Dix for investigation, one-half hour before they were to explain their case at a public meeting in New ïork where they were on leave. They were subsequently ordered to go to Vietnam. They refused as they had warned they would, and they are now being held in the Fort Dix stockade pending determination of court-martial charges. The Fort Hood Three Defense Committee was formed to provide funds for their legal defense, to publicize and gain support for their case, and to defend.their rights as citizens to freedom of thought, conscience and expression.

FORT HOOD THREE DEFENSE COMMITTEE 5 Beekman St., 10th floor, New ^ork, N.Y.

July 28, 1966 .

Major General John Hightower Fort Dix, New Jersey Dear Sir: We are communicating with you on a matter relating to the treatment of three G.I.'s under detention at Fort Dix pending determination ; whether they shall be subjected to court martial for refusal to obey an order to proceed to Vietnam. We refer to the case of James Johnson, Dennis'Mora and David Samas. The matter which we bring to your attention is one which applies not only to' these men but to all men in the Armed Forces and: is-,' therefore, a proper concern for all citizens. It has to do with regulations:regarding reading matter. À relative of James Johnson recently brought him a copy of "Who's Who in Baseball and a copy of a daily newspaper. They were informed that he was not permitted to receive these or any similar materials. We are also informed that reading matter for these men and perhaps other personnel, is limited as follows: 1) On week days a copy of the Bible; 2) On Sundays an abridged Reader/s Digest novel. As citizens living in a supposedly democratic society, we are surprised and shocked at this news. It is altogether contrary to what we would expect that authorities should select reading matter for citizens who happen to be in their charge, even if they are in confinement in a government institution, and should restrict their reading to the Bible and an abridged Reader's Digest novel. (over) " l.;,.;. -Page-2- Even more surprising is the information that an innocuous publi­ cation relating to sports and, worst of all, the daily newspapers should be forbidden. * • We point out that Mora, Johnson and Samas have not been convicted on any charge. It seems to us completely out of order, therefore, to take punitive action against them, if that is what the Army authorities have in-mind in imposing this restriction. Sound practice in modern.penology rejects depriving even convicted persons of reading matter as a stupid, barbaric and inhuman practice. On what possible basis can the application of this practice to thé se/men" be justified? We,are not informed as to the details of Army practice in this matter as applied to Army personnel generally. But we submit that, apart from the psychological cruelty involved in depriving any men in detention of a variety of reading matter, the restric­ tions applied to these men constitute an example of official- effort to affect the thinking of human beings by depriving them of means of communication which provide information needed to enable them to make their own decisions as members of a democratic society on all matters of nublic concern. Practices of this kind have been characterized as "brain washing" and regarded with abhorrence 'in this country'. We appeal to you for an immediate report on this matter and trust that any forms of censorship as applied to these men will be rescinded. We are also informed that in certain respects these men are being treated as convicted persons. For example, their mattresses are removed during the daytime; they are not permitted any exercise.or recreation; when visiting with relatives they are under constant guard and after the visit they are subjected to great indignities such as physical examination of their persons. We should appre­ ciate a report from you on these matters also. Respectfully yours,

,,.....' A.J. Muste, Chairman ' , Fort Hood Three Defense Committee 5 Beekman St. 10th floor Hew York, N.Y. 10038