. . . And Something to Trip Over

In May, 1969, James Danforth Quayle, about to graduate from DePauw University at the age of22 and with his student draft deferment soon to expire, joined the Indiana National Guard--an enlistment that effectively insulated him from the military draft and virtually ensured that he would not be sent to Vietnam, as 9 out of 10 of that year’s draftees were.

The National Guard was a recognized alternative form of military service, and no stigma attached to joining its ranks. But now Sen. Dan Quayle finds himself the Republican candidate for vice president, and with this new prominence inevitable questions of compelling political interest are being asked about his actions and motivations 19 years ago. One of those is whether he was given a preferential enlistment in the guard thanks to the influence of his rich and prominent family. Another is how Quayle--who is very big on the subjects of love of country, duty and the need for a strong defense--squares his public professions of patriotism with the private decision that he made about choice of military service.

The first question has already been pretty fully answered. Retired Maj. Gen. Wendell C. Phillippi, a former commander of the Indiana National Guard, says--and Quayle now confirms--that Quayle personally sought his help and that he was happy to intervene on his behalf with guard officials. This took place at a time when Phillippi was the managing editor of the Indianapolis News, a paper controlled by Quayle’s grandfather. Was anyone unfairly disadvantaged by this wire-pulling? Wyatt Cole, the commander of the guard unit in which Quayle served, told NBC News that at the time Quayle was thrust to the head of the guard enlistment line, at least 35 other draft-age men with presumably less fortunate family ties were waiting for scarce openings.

Quayle says that he joined the guard only because he was eager to attend law school--an ambition that would have had to be postponed if he had subjected himself to the inconvenience of regular military service. This passion for advanced education, it might be noted, seems to have come on suddenly; Quayle’s consistently mediocre undergraduate record doesn’t hint at it. Quayle in any event continues to deny that unfair influence was used to get him a guard slot. And he indignantly disputes suggestions that his main motive was to duck the draft and stay well clear of Vietnam. Republican presidential candidate George Bush seems to accept this story. What will have to be seen now is whether voters find it equally credible.