Mike, Florida, 1969. No. 226: Very Scared

At No. 226, I gave up my student deferment and made myself available for the draft.  I was not called.  We were all very scared at the University of Florida when the numbers were announced.  My roommate got a low number.  He flunked his...

Allen, Florida. No Welcome Back

I was in the lottery, but I volunteered for the Marine Corps and went through Naval Flight Training from Oct ’63 until May ’65.  I then went to Vietnam twice as a Marine fighter pilot and a forward air controller.  I don’t regret...

Jerry, California, 1969. No. 332: Wings of Gold

I was a student at the Univ. of Wisconsin during the first draft lottery in 1969. I had a student deferment in any event, but I drew number 332. That meant getting drafted would have been a non-event, but it mattered not a whit as I was also a Midshipman in the...

Dennis, Wisconsin, 1969. No. 154: JAG Reserve Unit

We all sat around in our apartment living room waiting to hear our numbers being drawn. I was No. 154 which was akin to being in limbo. I finished out my degree at UW and interviewed for jobs. The year before I graduated I recall they drew numbers up to the low...

Jack, Wisconsin, 1969. No. 163: Numbered Faces At The Pub

The night of the first lottery I began watching it at the Beta House at Wisconsin with several of the guys. The atmosphere was too tense, so I walked over to the Library and began studying in the second floor reading room. About an hour later, my girlfriend...