Mrs. Gunn's Diary: Feb. 16, 1942

Her husband registers for the draft; so does Charles Lindbergh

Schools were closed in Washington today and used as draft enrollment centers as 80,000 men registered. Among them were Mrs. Gunn’s husband, Ross Sr., and famed aviator Charles Lindbergh, who had been the spokesman for the bitterly anti-war America First Committee.

Mrs. Gunn wasn’t overly worried that her husband would be called up, as he would turn 45 in May — when his eligibility would end — and because he was “doing work that will keep him out of the service.” He was a physicist who worked as a civilian for the Navy.

Paid subscribers can read on about the draft and Charles Lindbergh’s visit to the enrollment center.

This cartoon in the Washington Evening Star today poked fun at people who claimed they were doing essential service for the war in order to avoid the draft. It shows the Cabinet, including Frances Perkins (identified on her signature tri-corner hat), raising both hands.