Dave, Wisconsin, 1969. No. 308: Tumultuous Times

Like every other male our age at UW-Madison, my best friends and I sat up waiting to hear what our numbers would be.  It was a tumoultous time and before we would graduate we would see numerous demonstrations, TA strikes, riots, would get pepper-gassed,...

Mark, California, 1969. No. 69: Dehydrating In The Steam Room

I was in my sophmore year at UCSB, listening to the first draw with my friends.  None of us supported the war; we couldn’t understand why American boys our age needed to die to keep a country in SE Asia from falling to Communism.  The draft seemed...

Julian, California, 1969. No. 183: Cuffed At The Demonstration

I watched in the basement of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity house at 535 Gayley–long since replaced by apartments.  I believe there were copious amounts of intoxicants consumed, legally in that darkened room, and illegally elsewhere in the house and...

John, California, 1969. No. 95: Marriage And Career

The draft lottery was the only lottery I ever won, with a 95. As I was contemplating a career in federal law enforcement or intelligence following graduation from UCLA, I decided to enlist in the Army so I could choose a relevant career field that might provide...

Doug, Arizona, 1969. No. 103: Improving Grades

On the eve of the first lottery, I sat in the fraternity house, terrified along with most of the brothers. I was a soph and a determined anti-war demonstator. As each number was called, each of us feared the worst. The media was speculating that the first third would...

Ken, California, 1969. No. 352: Traveled The World

I had joined the Navy ROTC at UCLA because I needed a source of income.  I had the opportunity to receive a full scholarship if I signed the paperwork which would commit me to serve four years after graduation.  I didn’t expect this would put me...