What were the World War 2 draft classifications?

Answer 1

Registered for the draft, but deferred by age (over 28).

Typically a 1H person registered for the draft but was never called for a physical. It was considered unlikely that person would be called up. But in World War 2, male civilians up to the age of 44 were drafted into the armed services. Many, of course, had already enlisted before they would have been drafted.

Answer 2

1A was the highest draft classification, available immediately for service, and 4F was the lowest. My father was 1H according to the postcard he received from Local Board No. 1 of Kansas City, MO. The board sent the card to him at the US Weather Bureau facility in Hatteras, NC, on 18 Sep 1941, so he was working for the government at the time. He was drafted in 1943 while he was still in Hatteras with the Weather Bureau. He was then 38 and unmarried, which seems rather old to be drafted. I'm just wondering what 1H meant.

Available for unrestricted military service. Conscientious objector available for noncombatant military service only. Member of the Armed Forces of the United States, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or the Public Health Service. Deferment for certain members of a reserve component or student taking military training. Exemption of certain members of a reserve component or student taking military training. Registrants not subject to processing for induction Conscientious objector to all military service. A registrant must establish to the satisfaction of the board that his request for exemption from combatant and noncombatant military training and service in the Armed Forces is based upon moral, ethical or religious beliefs which play a significant role in his life and that his objection to participation in war is not confined to a particular war. Conscientious objector to all military service (separated). A registrant separated from the Armed Forces due to objection to participation in both combatant and noncombatant training and service in the Armed Forces. The registrant is still required to serve in alternative service.Conscientious objector ordered to perform alternative service. Registrant available for military service, but qualified only in case of war or national emergency. Usually given to registrants with medical conditions that were limiting but not disabling (examples: high blood pressure, mild muscular or skeletal injuries or disorders, skin disorders, severe Allergies, etc.). Class discontinued in December 1971. Registrant deferred in support of the national interest. Registrant deferred because of occupation in a war industry (Defense contractor or reserved occupation). Registrant deferred because of study preparing for the ministry. Registrant deferred because of collegiate study. Registrant deferred because of hardship to dependents. Registrant deferred because of hardship to dependents (separated). Registrant who has completed military service. Registrant who has performed military service for a foreign nation. Official deferred by law. Alien or dual national. Minister of religion. Registrant not acceptable for military service. To be eligible for Class 4-F, a registrant must have been found not qualified for service in the Armed Forces by a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) under the established physical, mental, or moral standards. The standards of physical fitness that would be used in a future draft would come from AR 40-501. Registrant exempted from service because of the death of his parent or sibling while serving in the Armed Forces or whose parent or sibling is in a captured or missing in action status. Treaty alien. Registrant who has completed alternative service in lieu of induction. Registrant who is over the age of liability (26) or if previously deferred

-see Selective Service System, wiki ClassCategory1-A1-A-O1-C1-D-D1-D-E1-H1-O1-O-S1-W1-Y2-A2-B2-D2-S3-A3-A-S4-A4-A-A4-B4-C4-D4-F4-G4-T4-W5-A

Answer 3

fit for service only in emergency