At that time, he went back to Memphis and recorded a few songs before heading back into training. Elvis Presley receives his draft notice for the United States Army. That night, Elvis was apparently so excited for his induction into the army that he was unable to sleep. Elvis had always been incredibly patriotic. March 28, 2021, 6:21 am, by As soon as Elvis finished with basic training, tragedy struck. He trained at Fort Hood, Texas, but was able to take breaks to record music, meaning he had a back catalogue ready for his return. In January 1956, Presley turned twenty-one and was now eligible to be drafted. He used the same salon and stylist as . The story . Related: To create a personalized transition plan for yourself, and for transition guides and checklists, visit theMilitary.com Transition Center. Parker had arranged for enough material and merchandise to be available to keep Presley's name in the public arena during his two years in the service. And he was also glad that he was serving his country. Sergeant (E-5); Buck Sergeant (nick name). Elvis received news that his mother not doing well. The armed forces would own the exclusive rights to these recordings, meaning all of the profits would be retained by the government. On February 1, 1958, then 23-year-old Rock and Roll star Elvis Presley recorded his last single before joining the U.S. Army. And so [] More, Sex, Drugs, and Rock n Roll. Elvis Presley first became addicted to amphetamines sometime in his early twenties. There, hed bid his iconic hairstyle to receive his GI haircut and his celebrity status outside the boot camp to become soldier 53310761. Elvis Aron Presley entered the United States Army at Memphis, Tennessee, on March 24, 1958, and then spent three days at the Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, Reception Station. Facts Verse Its a bit odd for younger Americans to truly understand, but the man producing radio hits, movies that everyone wanted to see, and entertainment specials was now being brought into military life. Elvis was stationed at Ft. [citation needed], On October 1 the USS General George M. Randall arrived in Germany and Presley was once again offered the chance to join Special Services. Although the Army offered to allow him to "serve" as an entertainer in special services, he declined, opting inste. Elvis Aron Presley entered the United States Army at Memphis, Tennessee, on March 24, 1958, and then spent three days at the Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, Reception Station. The show was a success due to its excellent writing and directing. It was here he met the. It also got a lot of things wrong, especially where the pop singer's longtime manager "Colonel" Tom Parker is concerned. Fellow soldiers have attested to Presley's wish to be seen as an able, ordinary soldier, despite his fame, and to his generosity while in the service. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. I was in a funny position. This wasnt just Elvis Presley in military garbs going to defend America. Presley had received his draft notice on December 20, 1957 and, according to History.com, received one draft deferment, delaying his entry into the Army until March 24 of the following year. Tom claimed that Elvis drafting had cost the singer around half a million dollars in income. Alice Cooper meeting with Elvis Presley nearly became a real horror story. Although the singers time overseas might not have been all that it cracked up to be by the singers many adorers. Priscilla Presley career: What films was Priscilla in after Elvis? February 19, 2023, 6:17 am, by d) His first post . [3] However, Parker had no intention of allowing Presley to sign up for Special Services, since Presley would have received no compensation for these performances besides standard military pay. The photos you will see soon were taken during Elvis Presley's years in the army, we have carefully searched for you and listed Elvis Presley's army photos. [5] Having his family close by cheered him up immensely, although he still spoke to friends about his fears for his career. Oak Island is a privately owned island that sits off the coast of Nova Scotia in Canada. March 2, 1960: Elvis leaves Germany on a military transport plane bound for the States. Actually, thats the only way it could be. And then the Army entered the picture. Something which won him a great deal of respect with both his fans and detractors alike. [4], The Navy offered to create a special Elvis Presley Company made up of men from Memphis and Presley's closest friends, and offered him the chance to perform in Las Vegas, and have his own private quarters. As always, like this video to show your support, and subscribe and hit the notification bell if youd like to be among the first to know when more Facts Verse videos are on their way! [20], On March 2, with Priscilla in attendance, Presley waved goodbye to the fans and media of Germany and flew home to the U.S. On the way, his plane stopped at Prestwick Airport in Scotland to refuel; this was the one and only time that Presley would set foot in the United Kingdom, (although being confined to an airport, he was technically never legally in the country.). While enjoying the holidays in preparation for Christmas at the now-infamous Graceland, Uncle Sam called upon the biggest star in the world for service. On August 11, after calls from her doctor, Presley requested emergency leave to visit with his mother. Before entering the U.S. Army, Presley had caused national outrage with his rock and roll music. But the date postponed to March 24 after the deferment. Before the gold lam Nudie suit, Elvis rocked a red Nudie suit for the 1957 movie Loving You. G.I. This would begin an 18-month period of Elvis serving in Company D, 32nd Tank Battalion, 3rd Armor Division while stationed in Friedberg, Germany. The fatigues and hat that Elvis wore during his service are now on display inside of the Rock Hall's newest featured exhibit. . At the time of his enlistment, he was widely regarded as the most well-known name in the world of entertainment. Unfortunately, it wasnt the only thing he was introduced to during his service, as it was in West Germany that he became addicted to barbiturates and stimulantssomething that would someday lead to the destruction of his marriage, eventually, death. [13] Fans would congregate outside the house to see Presley as he came and went to work, and a sign was put up stating that autographs would be given between 7:30 and 8 p.m.[13], On January 20, 1960, Presley was promoted to sergeant. Some of which used in King Creole and some of which released as singles while Elvis was serving overseas. Facts Verse As his famously tousled hair was shaved down to regulation length, he cracked, "Hair today, gone tomorrow." He was now living off post, in his own house, with his mother, father, grandmother, and friend Lamar Fike; soldiers who had dependents living off post were allowed to live with them. They granted him an extension until the middle of March. March 29, 2021, 4:49 am, by I blushed and said nothing, not willing to reveal that I was only in the ninth grade. Unlike the rest of us, his stages are crisply defined like action figure special editions. 2023 The SOFREP Media Group. There are several paths to success if you're getting out or thinking about getting out of the military after just one tour. Still, Elvis was willing to receive one deferment in order to complete filming of the movie that he was currently working on. All Rights Reserved. [15] Between his induction and discharge, Presley had ten top 40 hits, including "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck", the best-selling "Hard Headed Woman", and "One Night" in 1958, and "(Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I" and the number one "A Big Hunk o' Love" in 1959. Upon joining the Army, Presley would turn down any offers of special treatment. Sign up for a free Military.com membershipto have job postings, guides and advice, and more delivered directly to your inbox. Shelby County allocates $5 million, creates committee to study reparations. On another trip, Elvis met 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu, the daughter of an Army officer, and he immediately began dating her. However, hes also a bit of a controversial figure amongst the more conservative members of the population that hadnt yet gotten used to the world of popular music. Can You Name All 8 United States Uniformed Services? The use of drugs and addiction would claim the Kings life at only the age of 42. . Elvis received his draft notice on December 20, asked for his deferment on December 24. [17] The army also introduced Presley to karate, which he studied seriously, later including it in his live performances. Over the course of his military career, Elvis had risen to the rank of sergeant. Like everybody else, Elvis started his Army service as a Private in March 1958. Actually, that's the only way it could be. 32nd Tank Battalion, 3rd Armor Division in Friedberg, Germany, where he attained the rank of sergeant . July 2, 2021, 6:38 am, by The next day, his friends and family saw him off as he headed out to Fork Chaffee, Arkansas. And the film met with positive reactions from both critics and audiences alike. Military spouses are making a go of their dream jobs across a wide range of fields. [3] Over the course of the next twelve months, Parker led Presley to believe that it was still possible to avoid the draft completely,[3] while secretly planning to allow it. Elvis Presley's army service began this week for the first time. His magnitude could be seen across the world, and frankly, his impact continues to be seen today. It's no secret Elvis adored young women, and when he met Priscilla Wagner, everything. [7], After training at Fort Hood Presley was assigned to the 1st Medium Tank Battalion, 32d Armor, 3d Armored Division, at Ray Barracks, Germany, where he served as an armor intelligence specialist. [22] Dee and Vernon eventually married in 1960, with her children becoming stepbrothers to Presley. Elvis Presleys first RCA album came out in 1956 and was a big success, especially the single Heartbreak Hotel. And was likely grateful that the war was about to take his mind off of it. For the first five days of that period he belonged to Company D of the battalion, and thereafter to the battalion's Headquarters Company at Friedberg. Charlie went on to work with Elvis in his musical career after both of them returned overseas, and he stayed a key member of Elvis band until the latters death. At that time, he went back to Memphis and recorded a few songs before heading back into training. Later he was assigned to the Third Armored 'Spearhead' Division, and stationed in Friedberg, Germany -- it was here that he met Priscilla Beaulieu, who would eventually become his wife over seven years later. December 22 Events Today in Elvis Presley History, Elvis and guests following his opening night at The International Hotel in Las Vegas on August 10 1970. [7] The officer who initially denied Presley his emergency leave was later disciplined for his actions. He had acquired deals with RCA and 20th Century Fox to make sure Presley's return to public life would go as smoothly as possible. This was a popular American sitcom that ran over 12 seasons and 380 episodes from 1960 to 1972. And had starred in such hit Hollywood films as Love Me Tender. Many parents, religious leaders, and teachers groups welcomed his draft into the military. After initially being turned down and threatening to go AWOL, Presley was eventually given permission to leave on August 12. After some early dabblingas a blues singer, Elvis had hooked up with Sun Records and its famous owner Sam Phillips, and with his strutting yet sensitive rockabilly style, had rattled off a number of hits by 1957 that are still classic to this day: "Heartbreak Hotel," "Blue Suede Shoes," and "Love Me Tender.". According to the Washington Post, this idea ultimately sat well with Elvis, who was reported as saying: People were expecting me to mess up, to goof up in one way or another. Presley accepted his request, but only agreed to play piano in the background; Parker had drilled into him that there would be no public performances of any kind during his service. He was the rebellious King of Rock 'n' Roll, but Elvis Presley didn't shirk his duty when he was drafted by the U.S. Army and gained the more modest title of "sergeant." But soon after, he was back defending America. Elvis and Vernon were both devastated by her death. [5] Eddie Fadal, another of Presley's friends, remembers that Presley would worry about his career, fearing it was all over. On March 24, 1958, Elvis Presley was officially sworn in as a private. Having a successful career in the military is a major accomplishment. Parker was given the title of colonel in the Louisiana State Militia by Louisiana governor Jimmie Davis in 1948. There will be three or four girls, one French, one Italian and two Germans. [5] To friends back home, however, he was less upbeat. Its certainly admirable that Elvis didnt try to get out of drafted and actually saw some time in active duty. Elvis Presley was drafted into the United States Army on March 24, 1958. It's an amazing-looking outfit topped with a neckerchief and an acoustic guitar. Leave a comment Before serving, the King continued to build a younger audience, whereas some of his antics were not well received by a more conservative, older audience. His twin brother, Jessie Garon, was stillborn, leaving Elvis to grow up as an only child. In May, a biographical musical drama film about the life of Elvis directed by Baz Luhrmann premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, featuring actor Austin Butler playing the titular role and Tom Hanks as Col. Tom Parker, followed by a theatrical release in Australia and the US. This time was incredibly important for him, with it marking the death and meeting of two. Elvis Presley served in the U.S. Army from March 24, 1958, to March 5, 1960. Facts Verse [4] The Army offered Presley the chance to tour the world and visit army bases to boost morale among soldiers and encourage other young men to enlist. By the time that Elvis had drafted into the army, he already a bit of a legend in his own time. 1 singles between 1957 and 1959, on television, and in movie theaters, beginning in 1956 with his screen debut . Elvis was a SERGEANT in the Army. That same year Elvis starred in his first film, and for two years his face was everywhere in the USA. Box 378 Red Hook, New York 12571 United States. But while Jailhouse Rock or Blue Suede Shoes may be classics, its not the only thing we should remember from his life. During this time, Elvis seen shopping for records. Get the best viral stories straight into your inbox! He and his family moved into Hilberts Parkhotel in Bad Homburg then to the Hotel Villa Grunewald in Bad Nauheim, a town even closer to Friedberg, where Ray Barracks was located. Get special job alerts, offers and insider tips on making the most of your military experience in the civilian workforce. Comment down below to share whether you think Elvis deserves respect for his time in the United States Army, or if you think he spent too much time on his improvised musical jam sessions and not enough time defending America. Your email address will not be published. Stories of wild parties in Presley's hotel room were also making it into the papers regularly, and Parker was forced to hold a press conference to dispel these rumors. [18], In early 1959, after a combination of a few complaints from other guests about the behavior of Presley fans wanting to see him at the Grunewald Hotel and the arrival of King Saud of Saudi Arabia, whose rather large entourage demanded the closing of the entire facility so that they could be well taken care of, particularly as his stay there was for medical reasons, Elvis and the group left the hotel and moved to a five-bedroom house nearby, at No. On January 20, 1960, Elvis was promoted to acting sergeant (platoon leader). All rights reserved. Anna brought to the marriage a toddler daughter Priscilla, from a previous marriage. This week marked the 60th anniversary of Elvis's entry into the United States Army. At Fort Dix, New Jersey he was honorably discharged from active duty on March 5, 1960, receiving a mustering-out check of $109.54. Parker, with the permission of the army, had arranged for news crews from around the world to be on hand to report Presley's entry into the army. When did Elvis Presley join the army? Throughout Monroe and Kennedys alleged affair, Lawford supposedly acted as a liaison for the President. He left active duty at Fort Dix, New Jersey, on March 5, 1960, and received his discharge from the Army Reserve on March 23, 1964. Elvis Presley swapped his plush $100,000 mansion for an Army barracks Monday after he breezed through a physical examination and was officially inducted into the Army. Special adviser will analyze . [23], On September 13, 1959, airman Currie Grant, who had met Presley a couple of months earlier, introduced him to 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu during a party at Bob's home. Blues is a 1960 American musical comedy film directed by Norman Taurog and starring Elvis Presley and Juliet Prowse.The movie was filmed at Paramount Pictures studio, with some pre-production scenery shot on location in Germany before Presley's release from the army. Did Elvis Presley serve in the military? He would often write home to friends and family about how homesick he was, how desperately he missed his mother, and of how his fears about his career still clouded his mind. Presley, not interested in dinner with someone he knew was considerably older, sent his father in his place. Flippo asked Parton about what the most outrageous thing shed [] More, Robert Urich was known throughout the world as a tough guy. When Presley was told that he would have to serve as a regular soldier, he was furious that Parker failed to get him out of the draft. Popular, by Elvis was promoted to various ranks during his army service from 1958 to 1960, as part of his employment and duties. This same addiction caused his death at the age of 42 in 1977.[2]. [9][5] He left Fort Hood on September 19, headed for Brooklyn Army Terminal in New York where he would ship out to Germany on September 22. Humes High School and, shortly after graduation, began what would become his illustrious career as an artist. And the singer given emergency leave to go and visit her on her deathbed. The movie won a 2nd place or runner-up prize Laurel Award in the category of Top Musical of 1960. The King of Rock and Roll continues to draw heads through biopics, anniversary releases, merchandising, and much more. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERAN JOURNALISM - JOIN SOFREP+ Elvis Presley served in the military for two years after being drafted in 1958 and was honorably discharged in 1960. However, Presley remained true to his words about not wanting to receive special treatment and instead sought to experience his whole time in the Army like everybody else. He left active duty at Fort Dix, New Jersey, on March 5, 1960, and received his discharge from the Army Reserve on March 23, 1964. Photographers were also there, documenting every moment of his installation. Before serving in World War II, Elvis had certainly been one of the biggest celebrities in the world. Sean Connery beat up Lana Turner's boyfriend for pointing gun at him, Elvis Presley got 'excited' during sensual dance scene with actress, Mick Jagger Dave Grohl: The story behind their Eazy Sleazy collab. He still remained involved with music in his free time, cutting a five-song record in Memphis during a two-week leave. Her death devastated both Elvis and his father, as chronicled in Peter Guralnicks book Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley. by Refusing special treatment, Elvis turned them down, and after getting a deferment so he could finish filming King Creole, he entered the Army as a regular GI at Ft. Chaffee on March 24, 1958. 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