More than 1,000 men sign up for World War II on the first
registration day...and that's just Caledonia County!

200 men stood in line in St. Johnsbury on this day in 1940. War was brewing, and these men were waiting for Caledonia County's recruiting office to open.

News from the front had grown worse, and the government moved to increase the size of the armed forces.

In the spring, Caledonia County's draft quota had been increased to ten men per month. Then, in early October, 17 draft boards were established in Vermont.

Caledonia County registered 1,021 men on this day, and the draft lottery was completed by early November.

Newspapers published the names of draftees in the order in which they would be called to duty.

Special thanks to Camp Johnson and to the Vermont Veteran's Militia Museum and Library.

October Archives | October 17