Donald, Massachusetts, 1969. No. 38: A Sympathetic Doctor

With such a low number I was called in for my army physical in February and passed (like everybody else). Since I had no desire to join the Army and go to Vietnam I started exploring alternatives. I considered joining the Navy. I even passed their physical, but it was...

Raymond, SC, 1969. No. 296: Almost Worth It

When the lottery was conducted December 1, 1969, I was preparing to report to Ft. Jackson after January 1 for my 3-year enlistment.  I don’t recall watching the actual process, and may have just read it in the paper the next day since it...

Fil, Virginia, 1969. No. 257: Freeing Event

While I am not a complete pacifist, I knew I would never serve in Vietnam. While I honor those who believed and sacrificed in that war, I wasn’t one of them. I considered the war wrong, immoral, and knew I would never fight if they dragged me there. I...

Larry, New York, 1969. No. 353: Turning Point Of My Life

Your question recalls the turning point of my life. On December 1, 1969, I was a recent University of North Carolina graduate working in the news department of WAYS radio in Charlotte, with a draft eligible bulls eye on my back. Literally and figuratively, I was a...

Tony, NC, 1969. Observing The Angst

I graduated from Carolina in 1969.  Observing the angst among those around me about the Draft was humorous, because I was in Navy ROTC.  I was already committed to the military and as a Naval Officer.  I spent nearly 13 months in Vietnam and wound up...

Richard, NC, 1969. No. 159: No Regrets

Since I had a student deferment until June 1969 and graduated in May 1969 and had no physical reasons for deferment or rejection, by the time the lottery occurred on 12/1/1969, it was not relevant to me.  I joined the U.S. Army Reserve in Feb 1969, my senior year...