Howard Melvin Fye: Military Record

During the First World War, when the need for able bodied men exceeded the number of volunteers, the United States Government instituted a draft. This was done in three stages as the war progressed. The first was done on 5 June 1917 for men between the ages of 21 and 31 years of age. The second stage was done in two parts, on 5 June and 24 August 1918 for men who reached the age of 21 during that year. With the need for recruits growing, the final stage was done on 12 September 1918, widening the age span to include men between the ages of 18 and 45 - and this would have included the 45 year old Melvin Fye.

The following are the details recorded on the Draft Registration Card on 12 September 1918:

REGISTRATION CARD

	SERIAL NUMBER: 3574
	ORDER NUMBER: 603

	First, Middle and Family Name: Howard Melvin Fye
	Permanent Address: Reno, Venango, Pa.
	Age by Years: 45
	Date of Birth: April 19th 1873
	Race: White
	U.S. CITIZEN: Native Born
	PRESENT OCCUPATION: Laborer
	EMPLOYER'S NAME: Not employed at present
	Place of Employment or Business: (blank)

	NEAREST RELATIVE:
		Name:	Mrs Rhoda Fye
		Address:	Reno, Venango, Pa.

	I AFFIRM THAT I HAVE VERIFIED THE ABOVE ANSWERS AND THAT THEY ARE TRUE

			(Signed) Howard Melvin Fye

The reverse of the card gave the further information that Melvin was of tall height, slender build, had blue eyes and light hair. It is difficult to read but it appears that Melvin was suffering from a back injury, which may be the reason why he was unemployed at that time.

The card was signed by the Registrar on 12 September 1918.

As the war ended almost exactly two months later, on 11 November 1918, Melvin was never called up to fight.

NOTE:
1:	The above information was taken from scanned images of the original draft cards at www.ancestry.co.uk.