United States World War II Draft Records
| This article is a finding aid to a collection that exists wholly or in part on the National Archives and Records Administration website. |
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Draft Records[edit | edit source]
On 16 September 1940, President Roosevelt signed into law the first peacetime Selective Service Act. During WWII, the Selective Service System conducted six draft registrations; these records are held collectively in two groupings at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, MO. The registrations are part of Record Group 147 Records of the Selective Service System. From December, 1942 to August, 1945 no enlistments were allowed. The Selective Service became the only way men entered the service for the remainder of the war.
The fourth Registration for those men whose year of birth was from April 28, 1877 to February 16, 1897. The "World War II Selective Service Draft Cards: Fourth Registration, 1942" is often referred to as the “Old Man’s Registration” or the “Old Man’s Draft". The second group contains the Selective Service Records of the remainder of the WWII registrants, born from February 17, 1897 to July 31, 1927.
Since there is overlap in the WWI and WWII Selective Service registration, men born in the years 1877 to 1900 may have registered twice and have both WWII and WWI draft records.
World War II Registration Dates[edit | edit source]
- First Registration October 16, 1940: males ages 21 to 35 "within the continental United States"
- Second Registration July 1, 1941: males "who had reached 21 since the first registration"
- Third Registration February 16, 1942: between the ages of 20 and 45 "who had not previously registered"
- Fourth Registration April 27, 1942: between the ages of 45 and 65 "not eligible for military service" This registration is not included in this collection.
- Fifth Registration June 30, 1942: between the ages of 18 and 20
- Sixth Registration December 10-31, 1942: "those who reached the age of 18 after November 12, 1942"
- Additional Registration between November 16 and December 31, 1943: "citizens living abroad between the ages of 18 and 45"
Classifications[edit | edit source]
Lottery[edit | edit source]
- Records of the First National Lottery. 10.29.1940-1941. NAID 1184723
- Records of the Second National Lottery. 7.17.1941. NAID 1184724
- Records of the Third National Lottery. 3.17.1942. NAID 1184725
Information in a Draft Record[edit | edit source]
For men who registered for the draft prior to 1976, the only Selective Service System information available is that of the individual Draft Registration Card (SSS Form 1) and Classification History (SSS Form 102) records.
All other individual draftee files from that period were destroyed by the Selective Service System in 1978, in accordance with approved records retention schedules. Physical examination and test results, medical letters, laboratory work and other medical documentation that may have been included in these files no longer exist.
The individual Draft Registration Card (SSS Form 1) may contain information such as: name, Selective Service registration number, age, date and place of birth, ethnicity, place of residence at time of registration and basic physical description.
The Classification History (SSS Form 102) may contain: name; date of birth; classification and date of mailing notice; date of appeal to the board; date and results of armed forces physical examination; entry into active duty or civilian work in lieu of induction (may include date, branch of service entered and mode of entry, such as enlisted or ordered); date of separation from active duty or civilian work; and general remarks.
See also United States World War II Draft Registration Records NARA - Finding Aid
First through Third, Fifth and Sixth Draft Registration Cards, October 16, 1940–March 31, 1947[edit | edit source]
- Included men with a date of birth from February 17, 1897 to July 31, 1927.
- National Archives Catalog
| State | NAID | State | NAID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 7644720 | Nevada | 7644739 |
| Alaska | 2839217 | New Hampshire | 7644741 |
| Arizona | 4684505 | New Jersey | 7644742 |
| Arkansas | 2169533 | New Mexico | 5721275 |
| California | 7644723 | New York | 7644744 |
| Colorado | 5833895 | New York City | 7644743 |
| Connecticut | 7644724 | North Carolina | 55317231 See also 5557837 |
| Delaware | 4656204 | North Dakota | 7644746 |
| DC | 4693889 | Ohio | 7644747 |
| Florida | 7644725 | Oklahoma | 2169774 |
| Georgia | 78122503 | Oregon | 2838557 |
| Hawaii | 2843447 | Pennsylvania | 5324575 |
| Idaho | 2838555 | Rhode Island | 7644749 |
| Illinois | 7644727 | South Carolina | 7644750 |
| Indiana | 7644728 | South Dakota | 7644751 |
| Iowa | 7644729 | Tennessee | 7644752 |
| Kansas | 7644730 | Texas | 2169790 |
| Kentucky | 7644731 | Utah | 6002234 |
| Louisiana | 2169763 | Vermont | 7644753 |
| Maine (Classification) | 78371246 | Virginia | 2645537 |
| Maryland | 2660907 | Washington | 2838690 |
| Massachusetts | 7644733 | West Virginia | 2658141 |
| Michigan | 7644734 | Wisconsin | 7644756 |
| Minnesota | 7644735 | Wyoming | 4684507 |
| Mississippi | 7644736 | Puerto Rico | 7644748 |
| Missouri | 7644737 | U.S. Virgin Islands | 5752907 |
| Montana | 2838556 | Citizens living outside the U.S. | 55302873 |
| Nebraska | 7644738 | Panama Canal Zone, 1944-1947 | 55302829 |
Alien Registrations, Personal History and Statement Forms, etc.[edit | edit source]
| NAID | State | Collection |
|---|---|---|
| 23812302 | Arizona | Aliens' Personal History and Statement, 1942–1943 |
| 23812301 | Arizona | Applications by Aliens for Relief from Military Service, 1942–1942 |
| 576612 | Arkansas | Alien Registration Forms, 1940–1946 (Digital) |
| 279692029 | California | Alien Registration Forms, 1942–1947 |
| 1143076 | Colorado | Alien Registration Forms, 1942–1946 |
| 6171948 | Delaware | Alien Registration Forms for Delaware, 1942–1946 |
| 301657 | DC | Forms 301 and 304 for the District of Columbia Headquarters, ca. 1940–ca. 1947 |
| 280891629 | Hawaii | Alien Registration for Hawaii, October 13, 1942–October 13, 1946 |
| 633955 | Idaho | Alien and Japanese American Registration Forms, 1942–1946 |
| 280373819 | Illinois | Alien Registration Forms, 1942–1947 |
| 2629629 | Iowa | Alien's Personal History and Statement Forms, 1942–1947 - National Archives at Kansas City (list) |
| 2629633 | Kansas | Alien's Personal History and Statement Forms, 1942–1947 |
| 576614 | Louisiana | Alien Registration Forms, 1940–1946 |
| 563320 | Maryland | Records Relating to the Draft Registry of Aliens, 1940–1947 |
| 5558068 | Massachusetts | Records Relating to Aliens' Personal Histories and Statements and Applications by Aliens for Relief from Military Service, 1942–1946 |
| 281925663 | Michigan | Applications by Aliens for Relief from Military Service, 1942–1946 |
| 280949964 | Michigan | Alien Personal History and Statement, 1942–1946 |
| 2629635 | Minnesota | Alien's Personal History and Statement Forms, 1942–1947 National Archives at Kansas City (list) |
| 2629638 | Missouri | Alien's Personal History and Statement Forms, 1942–1946 |
| 2635714 | Missouri | Alien Record Cards, 1942–1946 |
| Missouri | Alien Personal History and Statement, 1942–1946 - National Archives at Kansas City (list) | |
| 1491221 | Montana | Alien Registration Forms, 1942–1946 |
| 2629639 | Nebraska | Alien's Personal History and Statement Forms, 1942–1945 National Archives at Kansas City (list) |
| 280949631 | Nevada | Alien Registration Forms for Nevada, 1940–1947 |
| 1067460 | New Jersey | Applications by Aliens for Relief from Military Service and Aliens Personal Histories and Statements, 1942–1946 |
| 1145523 | New Mexico | Alien Registration Forms, 1942–1946 |
| 2564203 | New York | Applications by Aliens Residing in New York State for Relief from Military Service and Aliens Personal Histories and Statements, 1942–1946 |
| 2564218 | New York City | Applications by Aliens Residing in New York State for Relief from Military Service and Aliens Personal Histories and Statements, 1942–1946 |
| 2629641 | North Dakota | Alien's Personal History and Statement Forms, 1942–1945 National Archives at Kansas City (list) |
| 576616 | Oklahoma | Alien Registration Forms, 1940-1946 |
| 633954 | Oregon | Alien Registration Forms, 1940–1946 (Digital) |
| 568126 | Pennsylvania | Records Relating to the Draft Registry of Aliens, 1940–1947 |
| 576580 | Texas | Alien Registration Forms, 1940–1946 (Digital) |
| 1145525 | Utah | Alien Registration Forms, 1942–1946 |
| 568129 | Virginia | Records Relating to the Draft Registry of Aliens, 1940–1947 |
| 121636690 | Virginia | Correspondence Relating to the Registration of Aliens, October 17, 1940–August 21, 1948 |
| 633956 | Washington | Alien and Japanese American Registration Forms, 1942–1946 |
| 568132 | West Virginia | Records Relating to the Draft Registry of Aliens, 1940–1947 |
| 1145526 | Wyoming | Alien Registration Forms, 1942–1946 |
| 5753063 | U.S. Virgin Islands | Applications by Aliens for Relief from Military Service and Aliens' Personal History Statements, 1940–1946 |
- Julie Miller, Alien Personal History and Statements from World War II NGS Magazine 35 #2 (April-June 2009): 19-23.
Additional Sources
- Report to the Congress of the United States : a review of the restrictions on persons of Italian ancestry during World War II. Washington, D.C. : U.S. Dept. of Justice, 2001 Includes list of names and locations of persons of Italian ancestry who were interned.
Fourth Registration (Old Man's Draft) April 27, 1942[edit | edit source]
Included men with a date of birth from April 28, 1877 to February 16, 1897.
On April 27, 1942, the Selective Service conducted the fourth of six draft registrations. The "World War II Selective Service Draft Cards: Fourth Registration, 1942" is often referred to as the “Old Man’s Registration” or the “Old Man’s Draft".
This registration was different from the others conducted by the government. Its sole purpose was to gather information regarding manpower resources in the United States. The registration included men born between 27 April 1877 and 16 February 1897 - ages 45 to 64 - and listed their industrial capacity and skills that could be used for military support during World War II.
See a description of the Fourth Registration Draft Cards from the National Archives at draft-cards-fourth-registration.pdf.
Draft Registration Cards[edit | edit source]
Missing Records The Fourth Registration cards for the following states were destroyed: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Related National Archives Collections[edit | edit source]
See also United States World War II Draft Registration Records NARA Finding Aid to RG 147 Research Wiki article.
Records of the Selective Service, Record Group 147
- List of Local Draft Boards, 1944 NAID 7419489
- Atlas of Local and Appeal Boards , 1946 - 1946 NAID 1184768
- Records Regarding Appointments and Acceptances of Appointments, 10/16/1940 - 1/22/1946 NAID 55302877
- List of Registrants for the First Registration and Supplements, 10/1940 - 6/1942 NAID 25777965
- List of Registrants for the Third, Fifth, and Sixth Registrations, 2/1942 - 9/1943 NAID 55248736
- List of Registrants for the Sixth Registration, 9/1943 - 12/1946 NAID 55248704
- Records Regarding Recommendations for Appointment of Uncompensated Personnel, 10/16/1940 - 1946 NAID 55248766
- Supporting Papers for Recommendations for Appointment or Termination of Uncompensated Personnel and Without Compensation (W.O.C.) Orders, 1946 - 1947 NAID 55248800
- Records Regarding Uncompensated Personnel Actions, 1940 - 1947 NAID 55312706
- Records Regarding Certificates of Enrollment and Separation with Co-Belligerents, 1942 - 5/1947 NAID 55312730
- Records Regarding United States Citizens Serving in the American Field Service, 1942 - 1945 NAID 55314381
- Foreign Draft Registration Forms, 11/1943 - 12/1943 NAID 55302873
- Records Regarding Federal Penitentiary Inmates Inducted Into the U.S. Army, 1943 - 1945 NAID 55302862
- Index to Registrants Residing in a Foreign Country, 1/1/1944 - 3/31/1947 NAID 55302852
- Alphabetical Name Files of Registrants Residing in a Foreign Country, 2/1944 - 3/31/1947 NAID 55302804
- Alphabetical List of Men Registered in the Panama Canal Zone, 2/1944 - 3/31/1947 NAID 55302829
Where to Find the Records[edit | edit source]
Online
Ancestry
- U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 (Ancestry) ($) - see list of states included at the bottom of the page below the search field.
Fold3
- WWII "Old Man's Draft" Registration Cards (Fold3) ($) - see a list of states included.
FamilySearch Historical Records[edit | edit source]
Fourth Registration - Born Between 1877- 1897
- United States, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 (Image Browse) (FamilySearch) - see a list of states included by clicking browse on the page.
- United States, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 (images with partial index) (FamilySearch) - see a list of states included on the search page.
FamilySearch Catalog
- 1940-1947 Massachusetts, WWII draft registration cards, 1940-1947 at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1940-1947 New Jersey, WWII draft registration cards, 1940-1947 at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1940-1947 Ohio, WWII draft registration cards, 1940-1946 at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1940-1947 South Carolina, WWII draft registration cards, 1940-1947 at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1940-1947 Tennessee, WWII draft registration cards, 1940-1947 at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1940-1947 Vermont, WWII draft registration cards, 1940-1947 at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1940-1947 Wisconsin, WWII draft registration cards, 1940-1947 at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1940-1947 Puerto Rico, WWII draft registration cards, 1940-1947 at FamilySearch Catalog - images
Where to Find the Records[edit | edit source]
No Proof of kinship is needed; however, you will need to provide proof of death in the form of an obituary, a death certificate, or similar document.
NARA's website also has ordering information National Archives at St. Louis
FamilySearch Historical Records[edit | edit source]
- United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
- United States World War II Prisoners of War of the Japanese, 1941-1945
- United States, World War II Prisoners of War, 1941-1945
- Utah, World War II Index to Army Veterans of Utah, 1939-1945
References[edit | edit source]
- Richard G. Wood. comp. Records of the Selective Service System, 1940-47. Washington : The National Archives, 1951. DGS 8814220
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