The last person drafted for the Vietnam War was selected on December 7, 1972. However, the draft itself officially ended on January 27, 1973, with the signing of the Paris Peace Accords.
The last person drafted for the Vietnam War was selected on December 7, 1972, marking the near completion of a highly controversial era in American history. However, it is important to note that the draft itself officially ended on January 27, 1973, with the signing of the Paris Peace Accords.
During the Vietnam War, the United States implemented a conscription system, commonly known as the draft, to fill its military ranks. This system sparked widespread protests, with individuals questioning the fairness and morality of forcibly sending young men to war. The draft process was often seen as arbitrary, as it primarily relied on a lottery system based on a person’s date of birth.
Interestingly, the last person drafted for the Vietnam War has largely remained anonymous, lacking definitive public recognition. However, their selection on December 7, 1972, is a significant moment in history, as it marked the symbolic end of the draft during the conflict.
Famous personalities and notable figures have expressed their thoughts on the draft and its impact. One notable quote from Muhammad Ali, the legendary boxer and vehement critic of the war, encapsulates the sentiment of many at the time: “I ain’t got no quarrel with them Viet Cong… No Viet Cong ever called me n****r.” Ali’s refusal to enlist in the military and subsequent legal battle to avoid the draft made him an influential figure in the anti-war movement.
To provide further insight into the Vietnam War and draft, here are some interesting facts:
- The draft lottery was introduced in 1969, replacing the previous Selective Service System that relied on local draft boards.
- Approximately 40% of the 2.7 million American soldiers who served in Vietnam were drafted.
- The draft was widely criticized for its perceived bias against low-income individuals and minorities, leading to accusations of an unfair burden being placed on certain segments of society.
- Public opposition to the draft soared during the late 1960s and early 1970s, with massive protests and acts of civil disobedience taking place across the United States.
- The draft even faced opposition within the military, with some soldiers openly expressing their refusal to fight in Vietnam.
Although the draft for the Vietnam War ended in 1973, its legacy and the impact it had on American society and popular opinion still resonate to this day. The war and the draft remain significant topics of historical analysis and continue to shape public discourse surrounding military conscription.
Here is a table providing a chronological overview of key events related to the draft during the Vietnam War:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1940 | The Selective Training and Service Act institutes the draft |
| 1969 | Draft lottery system is introduced |
| December 7, 1972 | Last person is selected in the draft for the Vietnam War |
| January 27, 1973 | The draft officially ends with the signing of Paris Peace Accords |
In summary, the last person drafted for the Vietnam War was chosen on December 7, 1972, closing a chapter in American history dominated by compulsory military service. The draft’s official end in January 1973, following the signing of the Paris Peace Accords, marked the culmination of widespread protests and debates surrounding its fairness and impact. The Vietnam War and its associated draft continue to hold a significant place in the collective memory and ongoing discussions concerning war and conscription.
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The Vietnam War draft was introduced in 1965 by President Johnson, requiring young men aged 18 to 26, who were not considering military service, to be drafted to fight in the Vietnam conflict. The Selective Service System recorded the names of American men of draft age, and local draft boards would determine whether they would be drafted or not. This process was often seen as unfair, as most of the men chosen were from poor or working-class backgrounds, people of color, and people from rural towns. Ways of being exempt from the draft existed, and resisters would sometimes go to jail for refusing to fight in the war. The draft process became fairer in 1969 with the creation of a draft lottery, but, in the end, President Nixon shifted to an all-volunteer force, ending the draft in the Vietnam War.
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The draft was finally ended in 1973, with the last conscripted men entering the U.S. military on June 30 of that year.
With the Paris Peace Accords signed on January 27, 1973, the end of active U.S. ground involvement in Vietnam and subsequently the draft saw the the last men conscripted on December 7, 1972.
With the Paris Peace Accords signed on January 27, 1973, the end of active U.S. involvement in Vietnam came to an end and the draft saw the the last men conscripted on December 7, 1972.
Thus, When was the last person drafted for Vietnam? The last draft call was on December 7, 1972, and the authority to induct expired on June 30, 1973.
The last draft call was on December 7, 1972, and the authority to induct expired on June 30, 1973.
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Also asked, Who was the last person drafted in the Vietnam War? Chief Warrant Officer 5 Ralph E. Rigby, the last Vietnam War-era drafted soldier of Warrant Officer rank, retired from the army on November 10, 2014, after a 42-year career. December 28, 1972 had been scheduled to be the last day that draftees would be inducted that year.
Consequently, What years did they draft for Vietnam? Response to this: During the Vietnam War era, between 1964 and 1973, the U.S. military drafted 2.2 million American men out of an eligible pool of 27 million.
Keeping this in consideration, Will the US ever have a draft again? Probably not. While world events such as the war in Ukraine and an increasing U.S. presence in Poland continue to evolve, there has been no indication that a military draft will take place in 2023.
Moreover, When was the last person drafted into the US military? June 30, 1973
The last man inducted entered the U.S. Army on June 30, 1973 during the last draft conducted. For more information about induction statistics, call Selective Service at 703-605-4100.
Likewise, How many people were drafted during the Vietnam War? The November 1965 draft call was the largest since the Korean War. The military draft brought the war to the American home front. During the Vietnam War era, between 1964 and 1973, the U.S. military drafted 2.2 million American men out of an eligible pool of 27 million.
Furthermore, Who was the last active-duty draftee in the Army? Answer will be: Nearly 37 years later, he’s still wearing Army green. Mellinger is, by all accounts, the last active-duty draftee serving in the U.S. Army. "I’m a relic," Mellinger concedes with a self-deprecating laugh.
Also question is, How do I find out if I was drafted in Vietnam? To celebrate Ken Burns’ 2017 documentary, "The Vietnam War," PBS and USA Today created a Vietnam War Draft Lottery calculator. Simply enter your birth month and day to find out whether you would have been drafted for wartime service in Vietnam. Check Out USA Today’s Draft Number Calculator.
Furthermore, How did draft dodgers evade the Vietnam War? Response will be: Some men evaded the draftby failing to register with the Selective Service System or by fleeing the country. According to Canadian immigration statistics, as many as 30,000 draft dodgers may have left the United States for Canada during the Vietnam War. Draft evasion carried steep fines and the possibility of jail time.