Craig, Illinois, 1969. No. 129: Ignore the Army

My draft number in the 1969 lottery was 129, but I beat the draft.

I received a draft notice in December 1966, but by then I had already enlisted in the Marines for 4 years in November 1966, and was scheduled to go on active duty to Parris Island in March 1967. I asked the Marine recruiter what I should do about the draft notice.  He said ignore the Army. I have been doing that ever since that day. So that is how I beat the draft.

The day of the lottery drawing was December 1 which is my birthday but I was totally unaware of the lottery drawing on that day.  I was on my way to Vietnam and way too busy to worry or even know about what was happening with the draft.