John, Ontario, 1969. No. 007: North Of The Border

I graduated from Duke in June 1969. When I had entered as a freshman in 1965, I had the rather blase attitude that the war could not last another four years, and so I would not have to worry too much about the draft. Obviously, that strategy failed. As the date of my...

Robert, North Carolina, 1969. No. 236: Sad Day But Happy

I originally was given I-A status by the local draft board even after I told them I suffered one bout of asthma at age 13. Then I got a I-Y deferral through 1969 while I was at Duke.I tried for CO status but at the hearing with my local board, that was...

Greg, California, 1969. No. 257: Not A Ground-Pounder

I was at Duke from 1965 until graduating in 1969.  EVERY YEAR in June while I was in college my draft board (#220 Webster Groves, MO, Dorothy Laburay Clerk–can never forget that witch!) classified me I-A.  Each time I had to get a letter from the...

Juan, New York, 1969. No. 10: Broader Perspective

I was a graduate student when the first lottery was conducted in 1969, and was not watching when they first started drawing numbers.  I joined the telecast when they were around No. 100 and hoped that my number wouldn’t be drawn anytime soon.  When...