"After the United States entered World War II, a new Selective Service Act required that all men between the ages of 18 and 64 register for the draft. The Fourth Registration, or Old Man’s Registration, was held on April 27, 1942. The purpose of this registration was to collect information on the industrial capacity and skills of men who were born between April 27, 1877 and February 16, 1897 (ages 45 to 64). It was not intended that these men be drafted into military service but to determine if their labor skills could be used in the war effort. The registration would provide a complete inventory of manpower resources in the United States. The men had to fill out an extensive questionnaire, but unfortunately, the questionnaires have not survived." *

*Source: The Newberry - Chicago's Independent Research Library

JOHN VINCENT BOHNERT was born on June 19, 1899, in Union Township, Perry County Missouri, the youngest child of William Bohnert and Maria Elizabeth (nee Leible) Bohnert.​​​

In 1942 when the "Fourth Registration" or "Old Man's Registration" was instigated, John Vincent Bohnert was 42 years of age, married to Sarah Helen (nee Bohnert) Bohnert, and lived on Coina Street (later Edgemont Blvd.), Perryville, Perry County, Missouri. The couple had seven children and John was working as a "shoe worker" at the International Shoe Factory.

Although required to register for the draft, John Vincent Bohnert did NOT serve in the military during World War II.