may 7, 1917 - Selective Service Act

Description:

(Draft). US needed more soldiers. Still in effect. At 18 years old, men have to declare themselves eligible for the draft / register for selective service –requirement for voting (for guys).

24M called (fit the profile), 3M drafted. ⅛ chance.

Segregated units, 369th Colored Infantry (got so many metals, the French loved them. The US war department tried to prevent them from getting more metals). “Hellfighters of Harlem.” Most black units were given manuel labor. 369th was an exception, saw more combat than any other US unit.

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