And no American unit ever surrendered to the enemy in Vietnam, either. The first birth date drawn that night, assigned the lowest number, “001,” was September 14. During the Vietnam War, about two-third of American troops were volunteered, the rest were selected for military service through the drafts. A U.S. soldier turns to give instructions as firing continues in front of him during Operation Byrd. In between it saw the draft future being determined for an estimated 850,000 young men, many of whom must have been saying their own prayers about the results. Simply enter your birth month and day to find out if you would have been drafted for wartime service in Vietnam. My guess is that would depend upon when it occured. Curious what would have happened though had I been drafted. How would YOU have done?

Vietnam Lotteries A lottery drawing – the first since 1942 – was held on December 1, 1969, at Selective Service National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. For many Vietnam veterans who enlisted to fight in the war, drafted men made good, if not better, soldiers when put to the test. Simply enter your birth month and day to find out if you would have been drafted for wartime service in Vietnam. Any number that was 195 and lower was drafted at the time. Earlier on in the war when there was still a feeling of patriotism and protection of nation, or at the end of the war when it was viewed as misguided and not in our best interests to continue. Even though the draft was abolished in 1973, men of draft age (between 18-25 years) still have to register with the Selective Service System within 30 days of the 18th birthday so a draft can be readily resumed if needed.

366 blue plastic capsules contained the birthdays that would be chosen in the first Vietnam draft lottery drawing on December 1, 1969. Find your birthday in the chart below to see what order you would have been called to service. This event determined the order of call for induction during calendar year 1970; that is, for registrants born between January 1, 1944, and December 31, 1950. Now: This is how to see if you would have been drafted for Vietnam. Check Out USAToday's Draft Number Calculator . It was a lottery supposed to be based on the month and day you were born. Check Out USAToday's Draft Number Calculator.