When the Army tried to draft Ali, he appealed, claiming that, as a Black Muslim, he was a conscientious objector: Ali managed to squeeze in a few fights, mostly in Europe .
To be classified as a conscientious objector, a man need not be a Quaker, a Mennonite, or a member of some other sect that opposes war as a matter of religious conviction.
Britain last week awarded the George Medal for civilian bravery to a conscientious objector.