366 blue plastic capsules contained the birthdays that would be chosen in the first Vietnam draft lottery drawing on December 1, 1969. The first birth date drawn that night, assigned the lowest number, "001," was September 14. (Selective Service Archive)During the Vietnam War, young men gathered in college dorms and friends' homes to listen to live TV and radio broadcasts of the U.S. Selective Service System drawing lottery numbers to determine who would and would not be drafted. The 2010 issue of Vietnam magazine revisits those days in the article, "LIVE FROM WASHINGTON, IT'S LOTTERY NIGHT 1969!"
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How would YOU have done?
To find what number you would have received, click here to upload a pdf showing the Results of the First Vietnam Draft Lottery by month and day.
*How did Prominent Figures do?
Oliver Stone: 113, September 14, 1946
Pat Sajak: 007, October 26, 1946
Bruce Springsteen: 119, September 23, 1949
Sylvester Stallone: 327, July 6, 1946
Samuel Alito: 032, April 1, 1950
Clarence Thomas: 109, June 23, 1948
Dan Quayle: 210, February 4, 1947
Al Gore: 030, March 31, 1948
Bill Clinton: 311, August 19, 1946
George W. Bush: 327, July 6, 1946
Billy Crystal: 354, March 14, 1947
David Letterman: 346, April 12, 1947
Tom Daschle: 043, December 9, 1947
Howard Dean: 143, December 17, 1948
Tom DeLay: 312, April 8, 1947
Jay Leno: 223, April 28, 1950
Rudy Giuliani: 308, May 28, 1944
Stephen King: 204, September 21, 1947
Donald Trump: 356, June 14, 1946
OJ Simpson: 277, July 9, 1947
Bill Murray: 204, September 21, 1950
*Some in this list, who were already serving and whose draft status had been resolved, were not affected by the draft lottery. Otherwise, every male aged 19 to 26 had a stake in the 1970 draft lottery, as it determined the order in which men with birth dates between 1944 and 1950 were called to report for induction in 1970. Some on the above list were already serving, received student or medical deferments, volunteered for other service, or for various other reasons were not drafted in 1970.
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Got drafted in 1970
I was a volunteer. I enlisted in the US Navy while still in my senior year in high school. I graduated in 1969. I became a Navy SEAL and did a deployment to RVN in 1971. I am proud of my service and of having the honor of serving my country as a SEAL.
Did you know pudge Hollenbeck?
I was a volunteer. I was number 11! I immediately went down and enlisted prior to graduating from high school. I enlisted in the Navy and served two tours in 'Nam and retired as a Chief Petty Officer in'91.
After high school I immediately enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. I would
have enlisted regardless even if there was no war because my father
and my uncles were in WW2 and I personally felt that it was my duty
to serve. I was in from 1969 to 1973 received an Honorable Discharge
and one of the best benefits I received was that I was able to attend
college on the G.I. Bill. I am proud of my service and would do it again.
As it was, I was a 20 year old just working and hanging out in 1968 so I got drafted in February.
If I would have made it through most of 69, my December birthday would have pretty much sealed my fate anyway.
I served 2 years as a draftee in the Army, served in the Nam, and received an Honerable Discharge.
I wouldn't have necessairly wished it on anyone else, but it was a life's experience that I can still pass on.
I enlisted in the Navy in 1963 and after "A" School and flight school training with VP-31, I received orders to VP-4. My squadron participated in Operation Market Time in 1965 and again in 1967. If I didn't enlist and waited for the draft, my number would have been 113. I enjoyed my four years of service and would do it all over again.
My number was 005. I was drafted in December of 1969 and went in in January of 1970. At the MEPS Station that day the told us the Marines were taking 20%. I went to Ft Lewis and the first thing I discovered was after you got that mighty fine haircut, how cold it was outside. Went to AIT at Ft Rucker and on to Vietnam, Republic of. Spent eighteen months at Long Thanh and Bearcat with side trips to Bien Tuy. I was with the 210th Avn Bn, the YO-3A Army-Lockheed Team and finally the Garrison Unit at Long Thanh. Came home to the world and got the hell out. Sixteen months later I came back in as a grunt and retired after twenty-two years. Would I do it again. Absolutely!
drafted 12/63 enetered service 12-10-63 served 504th MP Co. Ft Eustis, Va Home of the Transportaion Corps. Never in country. Served 32 yrs Long Beach Policeisability retired. went thru Tiger Land with several co-workers who also continued their service with their country,
Graduated from high school in 1968, joined the Marine Corps immediately. Never had a draft card until I was discharged in '74. Radio Operator/Viet. Language Specialist, in country w/ the 3rd Mar Div in Sept 69, fortunate to be pulled back to Okinawa in November. 3 years active service, damn proud of it. 27 yrs Natl Park Ranger in emergency services, now retired.
I knew I would be drafted when I reached the age to go and decided that I would dodge the draft by joining the Marine Corps in December 1967… I got to Vietnam in August 68 and was released from active duty with an early out in September 69…. When the draft lottery was drawn in January 1970 I was still 19 years old and my birthday was the 4th number drawn… I was successful at not being drafted.
Okay, you were successful at not being drafted but you ended up in Vietnam anyway, so what's the point? If you're intention was to avoid the war—which is normally why people wanted to avoid being drafted—then joining the Marine Corps was just about the worst possible way of accomplishing that goal. Marines were the first to be deployed over there into combat situations and they suffered a very high casualty rate.
If you "joined" instead of being drafted, many times you got the job you wanted instead of the body they needed. The job put you either in or out of harms way….so to speak. And not everyone who joined were wanting to avoid the war. And being "one of the few" is still the best job in the world. Why would anyone want to be an Army of one?
I joined the Air Force while still in High School via the Delayed Enlistment program in 1966, my draft status after service indicated that I had already served. My number, 351 was wasted on me, I wish I could've traded it with some friend who had other plans.
I'm studying the Vietnam war in US History right now. we have to do a narration using certain terms. one of the terms is the draft. I was reading your comment to this post, and was had a question for you.you said that before you graduated, you signed up for the Air Force. When you were called, it ready said you had served when you hadn't? thank you:)
Katie
10th grader, IA
I was #330, knew I would not get drafted, but volunteered at the end of Vietnam anyway. I did not go over there, but worked with the incoming Vietnamese refugees. I never felt as if I ever served my country, quite the contrary, MY COUNTRY served me. Within my 20 year career I used tuition assistance and the GI Bill to net five college degrees and the skills to excel in this wonderful country to include my own business. God bless America, there is no place like it. Professor John, retired USAF.
I too worked with the incoming refugees on Camp Pendleton, CA. Where did you do your work with them? I have never heard from someone who did what I did…
i wanted to be in the service. Tried to join the Navy and the Air Force, but flunked the physical. So when I came up number 11, I really thought the routine would be the same, but to my surprise, the same physical taken for the third time at the same place was okay for the army. Today marks the 41st anniversary of my induction. I will never forget the moment at the induction center when we were told to count off our number in line and the officer said all odd numbers go to the Marine Corps. I ended up in the 101st at Phu Bai working the AO that the Marines had just left. Forty years ago to the week we were in an operation that had us living in holes at Khe Sahn. Probably the worst days of my life, but I survived and went on to have three marriages, 7 children and 13 grand children. The funny thing is I probably would not be so blessed if I had not been called on that fateful night.
The first commandment is "thou shalt not kill". I never did accept the right of the government to force me to break that commandment.
Still go to church Jimbo or did you stop right after the draft.
But you sure dont mind enjoying the freedoms that we have because of those who did step up to do the job.
Correct and the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.
Interesting that Moses brought that commandment down and he and his followers then embarked on a military campaign to take land – and they did kill. Wonder how theologians reconcile that one.
My understanding of the original Bible commandment in Greek was "thou shalt not do murder". Killing was justified depending on the circumstance.
I was drafted in the marines January 26 1970, but was not in country, guest i luck out, stay in the states, Treasure Island , SF.
I was an 18-year-old female in 1969. If I had been a boy, I would most certainly have been called up due to my lottery number. My heart ached for all the young men who had to leave. I am deeply respectful and grateful to all of you who went for all of us at home. Every one of you is a hero!
I was drafted in 1956, nothing to do with Vietnam Obviously.
I served In Germany with the 7th Army Ernst Ludwig Kaserne.
Darmstadt, Germany. 553rd F.A HQ Battery.
My Father, Uncles, Brother, Son and a lot of good friends have all served in the Military. It builds Character. One of my Grandsons
serves with The Navy at Lamoore Naval station in California. going
on 7 years. Two tours of duty aboard Aircraft Carriers.
Jimbo the First Commandment is I am the Lord thy God you shall not have any other God's before me.
Trump graduated from college in May/June of 1968, so he would have been prime draft material from that date until Dec of 1969, when the first lottery was held. That's a year and a half of unexplained "skating" for him. He should not be included in this article. He states his love for the country, yet never had the stones to serve it as some of us did. Would love to hear "the rest of the story."
I just wanted to say Thank You for all of those who fought for this country, and the people who live here. Because of you bravery, I am able to raise my daughter in freedom. I also want to thank the Men and Women who are fighting for our freedom today. You will always be our hero's!
I I remember that night and the televised draft lottery which seemed almost too bizarre to be real. Gathering around the family television set, where my parents and I had so often enjoyed the many great TV programs of the 1960's that had been broadcast for our entertainment, we were now trying to take in an event that was affecting us all most personally. Like others around me at school, I was somewhat uneasy with the idea of serving in Vietnam but had always considered it fairly inevitable that I probably would someday the way the conflict was dragging out. The wait for the lottery program to come on and to hear my birth date read was a fairly intense experience but when November 1 came up almost immediately and took number 19 on the board, I recall feeling surprised as well as disbelief that it was all over for me so quickly. Having to drop out of college in my freshman year, I was inducted in the Army in 1970.
My draft number was 53. I didn't know this until recently. But I went in on the delayed enlistment with a friend of mine. I passed the physical, he didn't. I spent 7 1/2 years in the Amry Security Agency, and spent 4 years in SE Asia but not Vietnam. Volunteered twice for Nam but was turned down both times. Had lots of fun times in the Army til I went to Ft. Hood Tx. Got out after Ft Hood. I didn'y like the Army, but liked the Army Security Agency.
As I write this on Veteran's day, I certainly have the utmost respect and admiration of all who have served. I graduated in '69 and had a draft number of 254. I grew up in the country within a mile of the Ft. Hood reservation. My dad was a mechanic at the base and we had a steady stream of GIs that seemed to adopt my parents. I knew a lot of the young men that were sent to Vietnam. I saw the concern in their eyes and the anxiety in their voices. I didn't join and I wasn't drafted. But I am thankful for all who did serve. God bless you!
Joined the Navy after HS in 1970. Intent was to become corpsman but the tests landed me on a submarine. Spent most of my enlistment hiding from Ivan waiting to launch Polaris missiles. The draft wasn't a factor in my decision. If I had it to do over, I wouldn't change a thing other than I might have re-enlisted after my six was up. But the culture had a very different opinion of the military back then.
So if you enlisted in the army in the mid 1960s, how long did you have to serve? Likewise, if you were drafted how long did you have to serve if you did not sign up for another tour of duty? How much of that time would be spent in active duty versus training? For instance, if you signed up, and were sent to Nam how long would you have been in 'Nam?
In 1969 my birthday was 277.
In 1970, my first year of eligibility, I won the lottery July 9th
I was drafted in 1971
just watching an amazing history channel show(3 parts) on the vietnam war. actually, heartbreaking is a better word. i'm 61 and was #25 in the lottery. i was on my way to india after 1 year in college. we were in venice at the grand opera house seeing thelonious monk. met an american woman who asked me if i knew my "number", as the lottery had just happened. i said "no." she asked my birthday and gasped when i said feb. 19th. "that's my brother's birthday. you're number 25."
the rest is a good story, indicative of the times. i did not serve. and i feel for all who did. i still am a strong believer in PEACE!!!!!
Even though I've already commented here, I would like to say something else that's not about me. The other day I was at the VA clinic for a routine check-up and I saw something that took me back. This young fellow, probably not more than 25 was cheerfully calling out to someone down the hall and his spirits were very positive. The thing is about half his skin was grafted onto him and most people would say he was pretty disfigured. In Vietnam he probably would have been a KIA, but thanks to advance battlefield medtech he survives. I got through Vietnam without a physical scratch. These people are coming back from Iraq and Afganistan in this kind of shape are the heroes, as are the ones unscathed…Thank you ladies and gentlemen for your service.
My birthday was 5-29-52. my no. was 81.
I went into the Reserves in March of 71. I never did find out if I would have been drafted. If my number would have been low enough to be called up. Where can I find that ? Can anyone help?
Brian
There is a chart of the lottery numbers and birthdates for all four lotteries (1969 to 1972) at the Selective Services website at http://www.sss.gov/LOTTER1.HTM.
My number was 309. I remember watching with anticipation (until I fell asleep at about #200) even though I had already decided to join the Navy. In my family we had 2 Marines, 2 Army, & 1 Air Force. All that represented the Navy was 2 outlaws (In-laws). After I partied out of college in March of 1971 I joined the Navy on the 180 day delay plan. I went in Nov 29 of 1971 in San Diego, went to Hospital Corps School, then to Lab Assistant School in Oakland, then to Mobile Construction Battalion 10 (MCB-10). Deployed to Puerto Rico, Diego Garcia, & Guam. Intended to stay for 20 years, but got tired of being called "baby killer" and having garbage thrown at me from cars.
I was drafted in May 1971 and served my two years. The military chose not to send me to Viet Nam but I did spend 19 months in an overseas assignment. For most of my life I have not been accepted by both those that did not serve and by those that served in Viet Nam. Because of that, I do not readily admit that I served and definitely do not decorate myself with every pin, patch and military insigna that I can find. Just because someone did not serve in a combat assignment does not mean that they gave any less to their country.
I believe the draft should be brought back, with modifications.
1. Every eligable male and female should be included.
2. The time of service should be 18 months AFTER minimal training is completed.
3. The 18 months of actual service would provide for no additional job training or benefits after discharge.
4. The draftee would be able to select military service or work for a civilian agency. Pay would be just above the national minimum wage with all medical, dental, vision paid along with a housing and clothing allowance. A mandatory savings program would provide a lump sum "nest egg" but no other benefits after discharge.
5. No combat or other hazardous duty assignments for those serving the 18 months.
6. Those desiring additional/specialized training, higher pay or to have benefits (including college) tthat would extend beyond discharge would be required to volunteer to serve for longer periods with the minimum being three years of continous service.
Those successfully completing their 18 months would now have work experience, a little money saved and some type of job training. Those that wanted more, could opt to re-enlist, expand their training or extend their draftee service time to obtain civilian job and educational benefits.
Many of todays youth would benefit from the opportunity to get away from their enviroment, earn some money, learn a job skill and gain some very valueable experience.