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| Fort Lauderdale Times (Apr. 22, 1942) |
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By Jane Feehan
Featured at left is part of a notice posted in the Fort Lauderdale Times (Apr. 22, 1942) about where men ages
45-65 would (notice it's not could) register for noncombatant service. (Men 18-45 were eligible for immediate
induction.)
Many who winced about the draft during the Vietnam era were
not aware of draftee ages during World War II. It’s also interesting
to note the separation of races for registration; the armed forces were not integrated until 1948 under President Harry Truman.
The notice above reads:
For District 1: Central
High School in Fort Lauderdale – white [Fort Lauderdale High]; Pompano
High School in Pompano – white; City Hall
in Deerfield – white
Negroes will register
at the Pompano colored school and at the Fort Lauderdale colored school.
U.S. military ages over the
years have differed: the average age of a soldier during World War II
was 27; the average age during the Vietnam
era was 19; the average age of today’s soldier has been
reported anywhere from 19-30. Since many are more educated, hold more college degrees than those of the past, they are, most likely, older than 19. The average age may not yet be officially published. Copyright © 2012. All rights reserved. Jane Feehan.
Tags: South Florida during WWII, WWII draft in Florida, U.S soldier's ages, Fort Lauderdale during World War II, film researcher
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