Virgin Islands (U.S.), World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945

What Is in This Collection?

This collection consists of an index & images of draft registration cards of men who registered during World War II with the exception of the fourth registration during the years 1940 to 1945. This collection is part of National Archives Record Group 147, Records of the Selective Service System, 1940. Images courtesy of Ancestry.com. The event place is the residence of the registrant. Images provided by Ancestry.com. Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.

After the United States entered World War II, a new Selective Service Act required that all men between the ages of 18 and 64 register for the draft. The draft registration covered males ages 45 to 64. The local draft board of the Selective Service System conducted the registration. The original registration cards were later sent to the regional branch of the National Archives responsible for receiving records from that state.

This draft registration, called the Fourth Registration, or Old Man’s Registration, was held on April 27, 1942. The purpose of this registration was to collect information on industrial capacity and skills of men who were born between April 27, 1877 and February 16, 1897 (ages 45 to 64). This draft registration was not intended to be used for military service but to provide a complete inventory of manpower resources in the United States that could be utilized for national service during World War II.

Information on the cards was supplied by the individual but recorded by a registrar. While there was a chance of a recording error, each individual signed his card to attest that the information was correct.

World War II Registration Dates

• First Registration, October 16, 1940. Males ages 21 to 35 within the continental United States
• Second Registration, July 1, 1941. Males who had reached 21 sine the first registration
• Third Registration, February 16, 1942. Males between the ages of 20 and 45 who had not previously registered
• Fourth Registration, April 27, 1942. Males between the ages of 45 and 65 not eligible for military service. This registration is not included in this collection
• Fifth Registration, June 30, 1942. Males between the ages of 18 and 20
• Sixth Registration, December 10-31, 1942. Males who reached the age of 18 after November 12, 1942
• Additional Registration between November 16 and December 31, 1943. Citizens living abroad between the ages of 18 and 45

Related National Archives Collections

• Selective Service System. U.S. Virgin Islands Headquarters. 1940-1947
• Classification Records for Virgin Islands, 10.16.1940-3.31.1947
• Applications by Aliens for Relief from Military Service and Aliens' Personal History Statements, 1940–1946

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Collection Content

Sample Images

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  1944 Registrar's Card (front

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  1944 Registrar's Card (back)