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The United States was initially determined to remain neutral as war erupted across Europe. However, pressure mounted as German U-boats attacked and sank ships carrying U.S. citizens and then attempted to persuade Mexico to attack the United States. On April 6, 1917, the U.S. joined WWI and soon held the first of three draft registrations in which more than 24 million U.S. men would register for the draft.
The United States had more than 4.7 million service members serving worldwide during WWI. More than 50,000 American lives were lost during battle, with some 200,000 non-mortal woundings.
ANCESTRY.COM'S WORLD WAR I COLLECTION
Ancestry.com boasts not only the largest online collection of WWI military records, but is also the only website with a complete index and image collection of more than 24 million WWI draft registration cards. Spanning from 1914 to roughly 1930, the WWI Collection includes more than 40 million names from all existing U.S. states.
