Rick, Georgia, 1969. No. 348: Chart A Different Course

When November 3rd was pulled out in the lottery drawing, my life changed  immediately.  My birthday corresponded to number 348 in the draft which meant there was little chance I would be going to Vietnam.I was married and teaching school at the...

Harvey, NC, 1969. No. 189: Would Not Decline The Call

I was a sophomore at NC State in Dec. ’69.  Don’t recall the way I learned my number, 189, but thought I still had a low to moderate chance of being drafted.  I was not, and that allowed me to move on with marriage, finishing college,...

Rob, NC, 1969. No. 350: Good For The Country

As an NCSU freshman, everyone I knew at school was there on a student deferment.   Everyone on our floor in the dorm gathered to listen to the radio as the lottery numbers were drawn.  Tensions were high for all as everyone knew the dangers involved in...

George, NC, 1969. No. 184: Last Big Weekend

I was a sophomore at NC State University in 1969 and remember the big buildup to lottery day. I was in Sigma Nu fraternity and in typical fraternity fashion we decided to make a social occasion of the event by hosting a "Lottery Party". All frat...

Jim, Virginia, 1969. No. 328: Winner Takes All

The charter room of the fraternity house was packed.  All the brothers were crowded in front of the 25” RCA.  You would have thought there was a State /Carolina basketball game on the TV – but it was something that produced no cheers – it...

Tom, 1969. No. 55: A Choice Not Made

I had already decided I wasn’t going to go when my number, 55, was pulled. My wife wanted me to move to Canada, but I thought that was the chickenshit thing to do. I was a patriot.While I have absolutely no objection to universal national service for all men and...