When was my dad drafted?

March 5, 2019 6:35 PM

I have my late father's draft card from the Vietnam war. I would like to know when he found out that his number had come up. Does the draft card provide enough data for me to determine this?
posted by jefficator to Law & Government (4 answers total)

Best answer: I believe if you combine the newspaper articles that give the month and numbers AND the draft card you will have enough info.
posted by beccaj at 7:30 PM on March 5, 2019

Best answer: What year was he born? The lottery numbers were published promptly.
posted by theora55 at 8:28 PM on March 5, 2019

I still have my Draft Cards from 1970-71, but I'd have to dig around to find them. I don't think that the Draft Card had anything to do with the Lottery. The Draft Card shows one's status, e.g., 1-A (available for service), 4-F (not acceptable). The lotteries provided an objective system for conscription by local Draft Boards but would not have changed anyone's draft status. (Strangely, we were required to have our Draft Cards with us at all times.)
posted by namret at 9:23 PM on March 5, 2019

I have an ancestry subscription that includes all the military records - I'd be happy to look him up. Memail his info.
posted by bendy at 9:27 PM on March 5, 2019 [1 favorite]