133: Heading “Over There:” “Black Jack” Pershing & Creating WWI’s American Expeditionary Force
History That Doesn't Suck
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The Conscription Enabling Selective Service Act
On May 18, 1917, Congress passes the Conscription Enabling Selective Service Act. On June 5, 10 million men in the initial required age range of 21 to 31 registered for the draft. By the end of the month, over half a million are called up as 32 new army camps or cantonements are built at breakneck speed across the United States. Some still wonder though, will such recent immigrants answer the call to arms? They most certainly do.
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