Raymond filed his official Draft Card for WWII on July 1, 1941. At this time, his address was listed as “Box 207 Route #2, Meridian, MS.” He was 21 and listed no employment, employer, or place of employment. On the draft card, Brown is described as white, 6’0 tall, brown eyes, blonde hair, 145 pounds, and a light complexion. His distinguishing features were written as, “scar on left wrist and one above left ankle.”
Raymond enlisted in the military at Camp Shelby, MS on August 23, 1943. He enlisted under conditions subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months. At the time, he was married to Doris Scarborough and listed as an employee to unskilled sawmill occupations. Raymond was assigned to Company B, 12th Infantry regiment, 4th Infantry Division.