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Historical Insights Registering For The Draft During World War II

During World War II, 50 million American men registered for military service. Those who served toured for at least one year. 1942, Washington, D.C.. Credit: Planet News Archive/SSPL/SSPL via Getty Images

Registering For The Draft During World War II

Even before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States established its first peacetime draft in 1940.

Though the United States wouldn’t enter World War II until December of 1941, it issued its first peacetime draft in 1940, which required all men between 21 and 45 to register for military service. From farmlands, cities, and small towns alike, millions headed to basic training to become soldiers, sailors, and pilots. More than 70 percent of Americans supported the draft, believing the country would soon join Britain’s fight against Germany. And the United States did declare war on December 8, 1941, the day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. While the majority of American men were proud to do battle against the Axis Powers, some protested on religious grounds—72,000 registered as conscientious objectors. Others emphasized the hypocrisy of fighting for democracy abroad, when the military remained racially segregated. Despite protests, by the war’s end, 16 million Americans, including 1.2 million African Americans, had served their country.

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Before they were shipped off to the front, all new soldiers went through eight weeks of basic training.
Before they were shipped off to the front, all new soldiers went through eight weeks of basic training. About 1941, Atlantic City, New Jersey. Credit: FPG/Archive Photos/Getty Images
In 1940, about fifty percent of draftees were rejected because of health issues and illiteracy.
In 1940, about fifty percent of draftees were rejected because of health issues and illiteracy. September 18, 1941, New York City. Credit: Lawrence Thornton/Archive Photos/Getty Images
Despite religious protests by Jehovah’s Witnesses and Quakers, many still served in the military to avoid jail time. About 16,000 conscientious objectors were jailed for draft evasion and 6,000 served time in prison.
Despite religious protests by Jehovah’s Witnesses and Quakers, many still served in the military to avoid jail time. About 16,000 conscientious objectors were jailed for draft evasion and 6,000 served time in prison. September 1941, New York City. Credit: Hulton Archive/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Until nearly the war’s end drafted African Americans were kept out of combat and relegated to positions of labor. The U.S. military wasn’t racially integrated until 1945 after the peace treaty was signed.
Until nearly the war’s end drafted African Americans were kept out of combat and relegated to positions of labor. The U.S. military wasn’t racially integrated until 1945 after the peace treaty was signed. 1940, Tuskegee, Alabama. Credit: Afro Newspaper/Gado/Archive Photos/Getty Images