Ralph, Arkansas, 1969. No. 328: Cold Night At The Drive-In

The draft lottery was on the day before my 21st birthday in 1969. One of my best friends had been forced to drop out of Carolina for a couple of semesters because of mononucleosis and was living at home in Burlington and taking some classes at Elon before returning to...

Randy, North Carolina, 1969. No. 334: Lucky Memento Draft Card

I went to the North Carolina basketball game that night. After the game, I turned on the car radio and they were giving a recap. I came in on the broadcast about number 130 and listened with great anxiety. After they got up to number 300, I started to think...

Phil, Georgia, 1969. No. 329: Navy Medical Corps

I got number 329 in the first draft lottery, so I was pretty much assured of not getting called.  I revoked my education deferment and exposed myself to the draft when I started medical school in 1971. The medical draft continued to age 35, but...

Ronnie, South Carolina, 1969. No. 38: National Guard Medic

We watched the lottery at the Sigma Nu house. When my number came up I thought I would end up in Vietnam. I got on several waiting lists for reserves and National Guard. Joined the NC guard in Feb 1970. Left for basic training May 12. Before that I took all of my...