In Philadelphia's great, drafty 103rd Cavalry Armory, a redhaired, freckle-faced youth stood alone. In attendance on him were ten physicians, a psychiatrist, and 70 Army and civilian workers. It was the day after President Truman had, with great reluctance and distaste, signed the emasculated, 45-day draft extension bill, banning the induction of teenagers. Edward Francis Mooney, 21, was the only inductee that day from 16 eastern Pennsylvania counties (pop. 3,000,000) which had once contributed 350 men a day to the armed forces.
Across the land, it was the same. Four San Antonio...
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