During World War I, Breathitt County attained national prominence by filling its quota of servicemen with volunteers. No men had to be drafted from Breathitt, the only county in the U.S. with this record. During the war, 3,912 men registered, 405 volunteered, 324 were called, 281 were inducted, and 43 were rejected. Kentuckians ranked among the highest in the nation in physical fitness.