Contributed by Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries
Description
This draft card belonged to Louis-Philippe Gagné (1922-1963) who was an editor at the local French newspaper, "Le Messager", and a founder of the snowshoe club "Les Montagnards."
Born in Quebec, Gagné became a U.S. citizen in 1928. Although his surname is traditionally spelled "Gagné" (with an accent aigu), on this card he signs it "Gagne" (without). Gagné would go on to serve as mayor of Lewiston from 1947 to 1948.
The Selective Service System was the official name of the government body which oversees the draft of young men for military service in the United States. The agency was established in 1940 by President Roosevelt to implement what was, at the time, the first peacetime draft in the history of the United States.
By 1942, the U.S. had entered World War II and around 200,000 men were being enlisted every month. This large scale recruitment was facilitated by the move away from local selection boards to a national lottery system. That may explain why, on this card, the space for the signature of a local board registrar is left empty.
Transcription
About This Item
- Title: World War II draft card, Lewiston, 1942
- Creation Date: 1942-02-16
- Subject Date: 1942-02-16
- Location: Lewiston, Androscoggin County, ME
- Media: Ink on paper
- Local Code: 2013.0.48
- Object Type: Text
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Franco-Americans--Maine--Lewiston
- United States. Army--Recruiting, enlistment, etc.
- World War, 1939-1945
- Soldiers--Maine
- Draft
People
Other Keywords
For more information about this item, contact:
Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries51 Westminster Street, Lewiston, ME 04240
(207) 753-6545
Website
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. No Permission is required to use the low-resolution watermarked image for educational use, or as allowed by the applicable copyright. For all other uses, permission is required.
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