Reggie, Texas, 1969. No. 31: Three Brothers

We three brothers were watching the lottery on TV in our family room in Dallas. I was the oldest, then Danny and Ronnie. Danny got # 11 and Ron and I teased him. I got # 31. Ron teased me. Over an hour later Ron got # 342. He told us I am never going! Danny joined the...

Roberto, Utah, 1969. No. 365: Next to Last

I was a senior at the Y, in Provo, Utah, married, with one child. When I lost my 2-S deferment, by aging out, I had to do the Draft physical, which I passed, and I got notice that I could expect to be drafted very soon, based on age. When the induction notice came, I...

Tom, Minnesota, 1972. No. 62: End of the Draft

I can remember the dorm room #107 I was sitting in at Winona State College my Freshman year with 2 guys I went to high school with and my room mate from Wisconsin. We were all listening to the lottery numbers called for each of our birthdays. My high school friend had...

Tom, Iowa, 1971. No. 104: Oblivious

For years I thought my number was 246. I recently checked and it was actually 104. The highest number drawn that year was 95. I was my parents’ only child, about to be a college sophomore, and there was a sense the war might be coming to an end. Nonetheless, I...

Ron, Florida, 1969. No. 36: Spit on

Drafted and spit on in an airport. …..today’s Army personnel have no idea how good they have it for their service to be viewed so honored. Upon completing an MSEE degree, the notice to report to my induction center in Florida arrived (36). What followed...

Tim, California, 1969. No. 41: Shafts of Sunlight Through the Fog

In 1969, I totally opposed the Vietnam War but I was #41 in the draft lottery. I was at UCLA so I had a 2-S student deferment but once I graduated I would be reclassified 1-A and drafted. I went to free draft counseling at Papa Bach Bookstore (deep gratitude to the...