Ex-Selective Service director Curtis Tarr, who oversaw Vietnam-era lottery draft, dies at 88
Posted June 26, 2013 1:13 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – The former federal official who oversaw the lottery used to draft soldiers for the Vietnam War has died at age 88.
Curtis Tarr died at his home in Walnut Creek, California, on Friday. His daughter, Pam Tarr, said Wednesday that her father died of pneumonia.
Tarr was appointed director of the Selective Service System in 1970, by President Richard Nixon.
Pam Tarr says her father wanted to eliminate deferments for college students and make the draft more equitable. He instituted a lottery system based on birthdays that were picked on national television.
Tarr later served as under secretary of state for security assistance, with responsibility for military programs with other nations.
Pam Tarr says her father probably would have described the lottery as his greatest responsibility, not his greatest achievement.
