Ben, Kentucky, 1969. No. 108: Fighter Pilot's Son

I remember it like it was yesterday.  About 40 young men all crowded into the Television Room of the Sigma Chi Fraternity House on the campus of the University of Kentucky in Lexington.  I really can’t remember the month … just the moment. ...

Jim, Ohio, 1969. No. 003: Draft Bus To Louisville

I received my undergraduate degree from Ohio State in December, 1967. When I called my draft board in Butler County, Ohio, they advised me that I was number one on its list, as my college deferment had ended. I decided to enlist and did so in...

Eddie, Kentucky, 1969. No. 015: Not a Day More

I lived in a house on Transylvania Avenue with 5 other guys.  On the night of the drawing I went over to the School of Journalism to see the lottery results with a friend.  My number came up 15 and I knew that serving my country was ahead for me. A...

Donald, New York, 1972. No. 028: My War, My Time

I had watched the Vietnam war unfold since 1965 when my uncle headed to Vietnam with the 3rd Marine division. He ended up in Danang, a strange name I’d never heard of before, but I guess that’s the nature of any war, even today. I was just entering high...

Jim. Kentucky, 1969. No. 348: The Box Score

The night of the first lottery I was with a gal pal in Shawnee Town south of campus, babysitting for some married friends of hers. We poured some drinks from the bottle of whiskey I had brought along and turned on the tube to watch the drawing. My birthdate is...

Rich, New York, 1969. No. 228: Mother's Loophole

The prospect of being called to Viet Nam was a sobering one. Like many of my colleagues, I felt the war was a waste of lives with no legitimate goal in sight, and I felt genuine sorrow for those who were called.  I was fortunate to have a student deferment,...