Caperton Society Blog

I have added a new collection - The 4th Draft of WWII consists of the images as well as exrated information from 44 documents, recording the draft of 22 Caperton's. In 1942, the Selective Service initiated a “Fourth Registration” of the draft. Unlike other drafts for World War II, however, this one targeted older men not for military service but for help on the home front. Known as the “Old Man’s Draft” because it targeted men 45-64 years of age, the registration officially took place on April 27, 1942, at local draft boards around the country. It was intended to provide the  government with a register of manpower, men who might be eligible for national service.

The “Old Man’s Draft” was a snapshot of American males 45-64 years of age on April 27, 1942. Registrants were asked for a residential address, but also the name and address of an employer. The cards give their place of place and date of birth, race, height, weight, eye color etc. They also may reveal who they were married to or even who their parents were. Unfortunately records from several southern states were inadvertenty destroyed before they could be microfilmed.