James Kutcher

James Kutcher (1912–1989), who lost both legs in World War II, was fired from his federal government job in 1948. The stated reason was that he was a member of the Socialist Workers Party, which had been declared “subversive.” The attack sparked an eight-year defense battle that drew support from...

James Kutcher (1912–1989), who lost both legs in World War II, was fired from his federal government job in 1948. The stated reason was that he was a member of the Socialist Workers Party, which had been declared “subversive.” The attack sparked an eight-year defense battle that drew support from thousands of unionists, Black rights organizations, and other supporters of political rights.  In 1956 Kutcher won back his job. His account of the fight is published in The Case of the Legless Veteran (1973).