Van Fleet Wants Draft Extension

General James A. Van Fleet said yesterday to the House Armed Services Committee that he feels the present two-year draft period should be extended six or 12 months.

The former Korean field commander stressed that the additional time would "better prepare our boys" to live through combat by giving them a more thorough basic training.

"We can win in Korea," Van Fleet told the congressmen, but "it must be a military victory." The only way to achieve such a victory, he continued, is to give our soldiers "a little more of what it takes to fight . . . battle training."

Van Fleet's views directly oppose those of Draft Director Lewis B. Hershey who stated at the end of January that he was opposed to proposals for lengthening the draft requirement from 24 to 36 months.