Erin Ann McBride

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Nearly 50 years ago, on December 1, 1969, America sat glued to their television sets. CBS Washington correspondent Roger Mudd was at the Selective Service headquarters, where he said the words that would change the lives of thousands of men and their families.

 

“Good evening…Tonight for the first time in 27 years the United States has again started a draft lottery.” 

 

NY Congressman Alexander Pirnie, the ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, reached into a nondescript glass container, and pulled out the first little blue capsule. On it was written a date, a birth date to be exact, and every American male born in the years 1944-1950 born on that date were drafted into the U.S. Military. 

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September 14 was the first number drawn. April 24 was second, and December 30 was third. By the end of the night, every young man had a draft number of 001-366. It was expected that those in the lowest one-third of the numbers would be drafted. A higher number, closer to 300 were probably safe. But those in the middle may or may not have to serve.

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Roughly 850,000 young men took part in the first lottery. Every male between 19-26 years old whose draft status had not already been determined, were called to report for induction in 1970. 

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The Draft had been around for many years, but it was at the time, still a volunteer draft. A man had a choice whether or not to join. On December 1,1969 that all changed. 

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The 50th anniversary of the 1969 lottery is approaching. I am writing a book about those men whose draft numbers were 001-100. I am trying to find the men, or their surviving their families, and spouses, to be interviewed about how the lottery changed their lives. I am interested in interviewing any man who had a low lottery number, this includes war veterans, as well as conscientious objectors, dodgers, or those rejected for health reasons. If requested, your name does not have to be included with your story in the book. Privacy will be respected.

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If you or someone you know may be interested in sharing their story about how the Vietnam War Draft Lottery changed their life, please contact me at mcbridemarketing@gmail.com or using the contact form on this website. 

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Thank you.