I was #81 in 1972 when I was first eligible. But I went to college and got that deferment, and then the draft ended soon after. I later went into the Air Force as an officer in 1977 and served heroically in San Antonio and the Pentagon for 6 years.
Also born in '53. My lottery number was 303. If I recall, numbers were filled in the low 200's.and did it result in you getting drafted?
My birth year (1953) was the last year a lottery was held for. Got #11 . Was ready to drop out of PSU, waiting for the "Greetings" letter, when Pres. Nixon stopped the draft only a few months after the lottery.
Pretty sure you're correct. I was 118 in that first year and entered the Army Reserve after graduation. Thank God our unit never got called up as we'd all be dead right now.223 for me, notices got up to 195 if I recall
Was drafted the end of 69 as, I arrived in NAM in time to invade Cambodia, May of 70. If I recall my number was in the 70s! At that time I'd already been in a half dozen firefights. Initially thru our bad luck, we encountered NVA several times and garnered a reputation. The reputation resulted in numerous insertions when intel found hot spots. Thing was, because of attrition and casualties, NAM units had constant personnel changes, so how elite could we have been? It's kind of weird, but lately I've thought a lot about the shite I experienced. Folks died on my left and right, yet despite having a rocket propelled grenade hit a tree right next to me and flipping me (backward somersault) and ambushed to many times to count, in nine months in the jungle, I only ended up with a bunch of shrapnel. I attribute it to my guardian angel and my will to live, as if I would have perished it would have killed my parents! Some men kind of killed themselves too. One late afternoon we were setting up and someone saw movement. Our company commander, instead organizing a response, irresponsibly just says, "looks like we have to work for our supper boys!" and just takes off (It was a cluster f$%k) and loses his life. Another time, the guy next to me claims he sees movement after a firefight (he definitely did not, he was just a guy that liked to play war.). He throws a frag, hits a tree, bouncing back killing him. Most of the things I experienced I haven't even shared with my four children!
I believe 271. Born in 1954. Lost my Selective Service card a long long time ago. Does anyone still have theirs?
That is an interesting issue. I come from a religion of conscientious objection and had an older brother avoid Nam through that route. I signed up as a corpsman type class, avoiding the part objectionable to religion but still risking myself. I felt it my duty at the time, still do.Born in 1956. My number was 179. I was at Lebanon Calley College (a fairly conservative college at the time). The biggest chicken hawk on my floor drew a number 4 and immediately changed his major from business to religion. He insisted that there was no relationship between the 2.
and did it result in you getting drafted?
My birth year (1953) was the last year a lottery was held for. Got #11 . Was ready to drop out of PSU, waiting for the "Greetings" letter, when Pres. Nixon stopped the draft only a few months after the lottery.
They were born on the same day? Imagine if the were born on consecutive days and one day was #1 and the other was in the 300’s.I was home from Nam when the lottery began, but I have twin cousins and their birthday came up #1. Both joined the navy.
Red horse? My dad was triple nickel. My brother and I are both Seabees.194, Wanted to join SEABEES , had to wait 1 1/2 years, joined Air Force , made me a Heavy Equipment Operator , ended up training with the Navy at SEABEE school , Port Hueneme Cal. anyway go figure . I didn't choose this field, highest score was electronics. I had no issue with being drafted just didn't want to hang around and wait, plus if you were 1 A forget about employment.
When you go for your physical , i went to Wilkes - Barre, you know it's some serious stuff going down.
I will tell you, the medics were the bravest SOBs I've ever been around. No particular one, they all just went to the guy(s) that was hit. Did not matter how much fire power was being directed at them. Each and every one could/should have been awarded at least Silver Stars routinely!That is an interesting issue. I come from a religion of conscientious objection and had an older brother avoid Nam through that route. I signed up as a corpsman type class, avoiding the part objectionable to religion but still risking myself. I felt it my duty at the time, still do.
Some of the biggest hawks seem to shrink when the light of duty shine into their corner of the world. Big talk, small man.
and did it result in you getting drafted?
My birth year (1953) was the last year a lottery was held for. Got #11 . Was ready to drop out of PSU, waiting for the "Greetings" letter, when Pres. Nixon stopped the draft only a few months after the lottery.
I was CES , sometimes Prime BEEF. Familiar with 555 and MCB units, they rotated 6 months overseas then 6 stateside.Red horse? My dad was triple nickel. My brother and I are both Seabees.
I heard similar stories about medics. Also that the enemies targeted them. The thinking was killing a medic may kill another half dozen more soldiers on the field of unattended wounds. I can't say I knew it at the time I signed the paper but over time I learned it as fact. Many now rest in foreign soil as a result of the valor shown to rescue and treat their fellow soldiers. War is hell no matter how you slice it up. That is why I segment the combat vet a level above any other form of vet there is. When your life is on the line yet you remain steadfast to your platoon under fire, it is a service above and beyond that which most will ever experience or thankfully every know. They all deserve our heartfelt thanks and honor. Corpsmen/medics are fully in that segment.I will tell you, the medics were the bravest SOBs I've ever been around. No particular one, they all just went to the guy(s) that was hit. Did not matter how much fire power was being directed at them. Each and every one could/should have been awarded at least Silver Stars routinely!
and did it result in you getting drafted?
My birth year (1953) was the last year a lottery was held for. Got #11 . Was ready to drop out of PSU, waiting for the "Greetings" letter, when Pres. Nixon stopped the draft only a few months after the lottery.
My number was 112 and had been called, when I graduated from PSU in '71. Congress did not reauthorize the draft that summer, but I knew I would be gone when they did. That happened the end of August or early September. I cleverly found a way to dodge the draft. I enlisted. At this point OCS was basically shut down as the war was winding down. Since I had a degree in Law Enforcement and Corrections, I decided to be an MP. I was placed into the delayed enlistment program to get a waiver because I was a half inch too short to be an MP. I enrolled in Penn State with a one credit phys ed class for the next two quarters and got my old job back on campus as a night receptionist in a woman's dorm, 40 hours a week. (Best job I ever had.) By the time my guaranteed first duty station time was up, the war was basically over, so enlisting for the extra year probably saved my life.
I got into several arguments later in life with my father because he told people I was in the Vietnam War. I have never claimed that and never will. I don't believe my service in any way compares to those who saw combat. I am in awe of those people. I don't want to imagine what they went through. There was no rear area for R&R. And unlike troops today, there was little civilian respect or support for what they went through. Movies and TV shows portrayed them as damaged goods. They get my upmost respect.
I was a junior in 1969 when they had the first lottery, scheduled to graduate in June 1971. My number was 54. I grew up in a blue collar neighborhood and a few friends had already been to Viet Nam. They told me don't go Army or Marines. So I put my name on the wait list for the Navy reserves and took the aptitude test for the Air Force. In January 1971, 6 months before graduation, I got called in for the Navy physical and to sign up. It seemed like a lucky break, but the timing was not good. I flunked the Navy physical because of a knee injury that happened in an intramural B-ball game. Don't steal the ball from a football player and try to dunk on the fast break. I graduated June 19, 1971 and the draft law was suspended June 30. When it was re-authorized for January 1972, they decided to not draft the guys whose number came up in 1971.I would like to hear from Vets regarding “ Nicks Seaside Pavilion “ which was located in Yorktown, Va.
Nick and his wife Mary were two great Americans that came to U.S, from Greece.
They went out of their way to give special treatment to servicemen including me and shipmates that dined in their restaurant.
They were given the honor of christening the USS Yorktown in 1983. A significant honor for ordinary citizens.