July
7, 1950
The
New Draft
The U.S. Department of Defense implemented the newly renewed
draft law "to build up to full operating strength the units of the Army,
Navy and Air Force to be used in the Korean operation. Between the Korean War's
outbreak in June 1950 and the armistice agreement in 1953, Selective Service
inducted over 1.5 million men. Another
1.3 million volunteered, usually choosing the Navy or Air Force. Congress passed the Universal Military
Training and Service Act in 1951 to meet the demands of the war. It lowered the
induction age to 18½ and extended active-duty service commitments to 24 months.
Despite the early combat failures and later stalemate in Korea, the draft has
been credited by some as playing a vital role in turning the tide of war.
Born in 1950?
Then congratulations on entering the world of
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