Military bars four who wore hate signs at graduation

Jet, July 29, 1996

Four White students in Massachusetts who wore swastikas and KKK slogans on their high school graduation apparel were denied induction into the military service.

Army Secretary Togo D. West and Marine General Charles C. Krulak were praised by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for their prompt action in the case of four students of the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School in Franklin, MA.

School authorities had not seen the symbols of hatred scrawled in black marker across the backs of their dark blue graduation gowns during the commencement services. Since the four had enlisted in the military and were about to be assigned to basic training, the principal notified the recruiters of the incident.

Following an investigation, the Army and the Marines turned down the quartet.

ADL officials said that the military decision "is a powerful statement that sends an unmistakable message to all young Americans who are considering a career in the Armed Forces."