First Student to Serve in the Military Under the Selective Service Act

Robert Earl Ogle, 21-year-old, part-time agriculture student, and son of Otha Ogle, foreman at the university farm, was the first person to volunteer under the Selective Service Act. He was accepted for one year’s service in the army in December 1940. He had four hours’ notice prior to leaving for Fort Oglethorpe. He replaced former UT football star Charles “Pug” Vaughn, who had volunteered but had been rejected the week before.

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  • Title First Student to Serve in the Military Under the Selective Service Act
  • Author
  • Keywords First Student to Serve in the Military Under the Selective Service Act
  • Website Name Volopedia
  • Publisher University of Tennessee Libraries
  • URL
  • Access Date December 19, 2025
  • Original Published Date
  • Date of Last Update October 7, 2018