his findings. Pointing out that 1961 would be critical, Acheson rec-
ommended that the United States should use all its powers to main-
tain freedom for the people of West Berlin, the continued presence
of western troops and free access to the city from the Federal Republic
of Germany. At the Vienna Conference of 3 and 4 June Khrushchev
demanded a peace treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union
that would permanently ensure a divided Germany in which the whole
of Berlin would become part of the German Democratic Republic.
Kennedy was adamant that the United States would not allow the
Communists to seize control of Berlin. In a televised speech on 25 July he
pledged that he would not yield to Soviet pressure. Khrushchev reacted
on 13 August by announcing the building of a wall to
prevent the inhabitants of East Berlin from flee-
ing to the West.20 It was clear that the worsen-
ing situation required a rapid buildup of
combat troops in central Europe. Draft calls
were tripled and enlistments were extended.
Two hundred fifty thousand men in the
Reserves and the National Guard were called
up, including fifty-four Air Force and Naval air
squadrons.21
Dick Gregory commented ironically that he
was not afraid to be drafted under the new president:
Dick Gregory for President, 1968.
And I feel so sorry for Kennedy. The poor man has really caught hell
since he s been in. Everything has happened to him. As a matter of fact he
moved in the office behind. Do you realize this is the first president we ever
elected in the history of this country that moved into a smaller house?
We have it made, we don t have to worry about no war. Not in the
next four years, anyway. We re very lucky. First time in the history of this
country during a world tension we have a president in office that s young
enough to get drafted himself.22
Several blues songs referring to the draft were recorded in the
Kennedy era, including one by Wilbert Harrison (1929 1994).  Drafted,
his 1961 recording for Bobby Robinson s Fury label, shows affection for
[ 2 8 ] J F K S a y s I  v e G o t t o G o