By Dr. Ted Finkelston and Edited by Kathy Krause
(Originally written by Dr. Ted Finkelston and published in two parts on November 12 & 19, 2005. The following article was condensed and edited by Kathy Krause.)
World War I was raging in Europe when the Selective Service Act of 1917 required all men 21-30 years of age to register for the "Draft." In 1918, it was expanded to all men 18-45. Local draft boards were appointed throughout the U. S. and the eligible men registered at their voting precincts and received numbered draft cards. A lottery conducted in Washington D.C. periodically determined the men chosen from each locality for induction into the U. S. Army.