Bob, Georgia, 1969. No. 056: Chairman of the Board

I remember the lottery well. My number was 56. That was a guarantee to be drafted, but it did not matter to me as I had signed a ROTC contract in September of ’69 and was effectively already a private in the US Army Reserve. I served on active duty in Asia for...

Glenn, Kentucky, 1969. No. 244: Where Fates Were Decided

I had no fear or worries on the night of the lottery.  Not because of the high number my birthday drew, but because I was already in Vietnam, assigned to an artillery battery on a small hill in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam.  For us there, across...

Charles, Georgia, 1969. No. 304: Enough For Both Of Us

On the night of the drawing, I was at the architecture building working on a design for my presentation at 8 am the following morning. A freshman shouted, anyone named Charles on this floor. I answered YES, and he said you have a call on the payphone in the hall. I...

David, Georgia, 1969. No. 011: Saved By Typing

I was at the University of Pennsylvania in my final year when the lottery occurred. I remember I was No. 11. I applied to Naval OCS. (Actually I accidentally got in line for the aviation program–the line was much shorter). I also sought out a slot in the...

Paul, Georgia, 1969. No. 083: Creative Ways To Get Out

Being No. 83, I was as good as gone but just as determined not to go. By then the usual medical tricks were not working. I did not know what I was going to do, but then read a book called 4-F, which explained the process and creative ways people were using to get out...

Kent, Georgia, 1969. No. 126: Assignment Germany

I reported to Ponce De Leon on May 27 and had to return on the 28th for a medical consultation. I was inducted on June 1, 1970  at 4:10 and arrived at Ft. Jackson around 10 that night by bus. Ended up being a Tracked Vehicle Mechanic assigned to Illesheim,...