Instead, he received the Army Good Conduct Medal award, with some of his fellow soldiers attesting to his humility and generosity. Sadly, his mother, Gladys Presley, passed away in August 1958, which granted him emergency leave. Elvis began going through basic training, and didn't take his first leave until June. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Facts Verse Elvis had a great deal of plans for his career when he returned home from serving in the army, and he jumped back into the saddle without missing a beat. But Elvis service actually ended up being incredibly beneficial for the singers career due to the clout that he received from fans and detractors alike. Your email address will not be published. Military.com 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." With. But without joining the army, he might have never met her. [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. And the two went on to become married several years later. 23-year-old Elvis Presley was drafted for the U.S. Army in March 1958. As a result, he became dependent on stimulants and barbiturates. . Although Presley never liked Dee, he became very close to her young children and welcomed them to his home as the brothers he never had; in later years they were employed as bodyguards and drivers. Below are nine quick facts about Presleys time in the Army. [4] After discussing each offer with Parker, Presley decided to join as a regular soldier. His pay now increases to $ 122.31. And had some time to relax with his family back in Memphis before officially inducted. As he finally seen as a positive role model for the youth instead of just a nuisance. January 19, 2022, 6:17 pm, by local. It saw the arrival of its most famous soldier a 22-year-old Pvt. He enlisted in the Army on March 24, 1958, at the Memphis draft board. c) He met Charlie Hodge, who became Elvis' confidant, a best friend and a Graceland resident for 17 years. He recorded the song in March of 1960, and RCA released it within two weeks. Elvis Presley. Browse 312 elvis presley military stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. After receiving his education at the Pacific Military Academy, Mickey Rooney served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946. [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. [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. However, many audience members didnt realize that. [5], After a short break to record new material for RCA Victor in June, Presley returned to Fort Hood to finish his tank training. Along the way he ends up in a love. Fans were eager for new music by Elvis Presley, and "Stuck On You" hit #1, becoming his first chart topping hit of the 1960s. His two-year stint took him overseas, and he served in West Germany from October 1, 1958 until March 2, 1960 as a member of the 1st . They thought I couldnt take it and so forth, and I was determined to go to any limits to prove otherwise, not only to the people who were wondering but to myself, said Elvis. And his outfit also said to have gotten quite a bit of field duty. Decades later these recordings would be released officially on titles such as Private Presley and Home Recordings. While fans around the country were upset by the news, parents and teachers groups were ecstatic; they viewed Presley as a menace to society. March 28, 1958 was quite a day at Fort Hood in Killeen. Her death devastated both Elvis and his father, as chronicled in Peter Guralnicks book Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley. Elvis serving during the subsequent release of the film King Creole a month later. He knew that people were waiting for something big to happen, but he proved them wrong. At the time of his enlistment, he was widely regarded as the most well-known name in the world of entertainment. [3], Two weeks after finishing King Creole, Presley reported for his induction on March 24, 1958, a day dubbed "Black Monday" for his fans by the press. All in all, it appears that Elvis had a very busy Christmas in 1957! Memphis police find 11 shooting victims over two scenes in Whitehaven. Before entering the Army, Presley had caused national outrage with his rock and roll music. There, hed bid his iconic hairstyle to receive his GI haircut and his celebrity status outside the boot camp to become soldier 53310761. Just prior to his return, Elvis reflected on his experiences in an interview for Armed Forces Radio and Television: "I was in a funny position. [3], On January 4, 1957, Presley attended Kennedy Veterans Hospital in Memphis for a pre-induction army medical. But one that he was ready and willing to meet. Having a successful career in the military is a major accomplishment. That same year Elvis starred in his first film, and for two years his face was everywhere in the USA. Elvis served as Private, and later as Sergeant, while earning respect from many of his critics 1935: Elvis is born Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, on January 8, 1935, in a two-room shotgun house in East Tupelo, then a separate municipality that some called the "roughest town in north Mississippi." Though poor, Elvis's parents, Gladys and Vernon Presley, were not unlike many others in Mississippi at that time, for the country was in the midst of the Great Depression. Before entering the Army, Presley had caused national outrage with his rock and roll music. 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. Elvis Presley on the day of his induction into the army March 24, 1958. The singer was spending the holiday at his famous Graceland estate, and was amidst the peak of his career success. [5] To friends back home, however, he was less upbeat. January 27, 2023, 6:25 pm, Trending Headquarters Company, 1st Medium Tank Battalion, This page was last edited on 28 January 2023, at 07:47. However, that didnt stop the all-American singer from proudly accepting his duty to defend his country. As soon as Elvis finished with basic training, tragedy struck. The last owner of the aircraft was Californian businessman Jim Gagliardi who bought the jet at a 2017 auction for $430,000. The future King of Rock and Roll became a member of two different armor battalions during his active service in 1) Company A, 2d Medium Tank Battalion, 37th Armor, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, between March 28 to September 17, 1958, where hed complete his basic and advanced military training; and 2) 1st Medium Tank Battalion, 32d Armor, 3d Armored Division in West Germany from October 1, 1958, until March 2, 1960, three days before his honorable discharge. Elvis Presley weighing in during his induction . But she ended up spilling the beans on one of the most embarrassing chapters of her life instead. Mickey Rooney. Elvis received his draft notice on December 20, asked for his deferment on December 24. After her role on that classic sitcom ended, Jan became more interested in being a mother than being an actress. 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. However, due to commitments at Paramount and the filming schedule of his latest film, King Creole, Presley had to personally write to the Memphis Draft Board to request a deferment. The show followed widowed aeronautical engineer named Steven Douglas and his three sons. Read next: Famous Veterans: Youll Never Believe These Celebrities Actually Served. The King of Rock and Roll continues to draw heads through biopics, anniversary releases, merchandising, and much more. Thunder Force on Netflix cast: Who plays young Lydia? 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. Why Did Elvis Presley Join The Army Elvis Presley joined the Army on March 24, 1958. Not long before he was transferred to Germany,[1] his mother, Gladys Presley died of a heart attack brought on by acute hepatitis and cirrhosis at the age of 46. At the time of his enlistment, he was widely regarded as the most well-known name in the world of entertainment. He was inducted in March 1958, two weeks after wrapping his movie King Creole, for which he sang part of the soundtrack. It just before Christmas in 1957 when legendary singer Elvis Presley received the news that hes going drafted into the United States Army. I blushed and said nothing, not willing to reveal that I was only in the ninth grade. Military spouses are making a go of their dream jobs across a wide range of fields. 2023 The SOFREP Media Group. He still remained involved with music in his free time, cutting a five-song record in Memphis during a two-week leave. Elvis returned from Germany in 1960. Nancy Sinatra, RCA representatives, and Parker were there to welcome him home, as well as a huge crowd of fans. It was here he met the 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu, who ended up becoming his wife after a long courtship. The state had no organized militia, and the honorary title was given in return for. Facts Verse 14 Goethestrasse, soon to become the then Germany's most celebrated private address. Having starred in such television programs as VEGA$ and Spenser: For Hire. He donated his army pay to charity, purchased TV sets for the post, and bought an extra set of fatigues for everyone in his outfit. Between March 28 and September 17, 1958, he belonged to Company A, 2d Medium Tank Battalion, 37th Armor, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. 4 with "Hard Headed Woman" and at No. b) He met his future wife, Priscilla Beaulieu (who at the time was 14). 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. It was the saddest thing Id ever seen.. This earned him the respect of many of his fellow soldiers and people back in the United States who previously viewed him in a negative light. [21] Originally Dee had written to Presley inviting him to dinner. Anna brought to the marriage a toddler daughter Priscilla, from a previous marriage. . Another reason, according to Peter Browns Down at the End of Lonely Street: Life and Death of Elvis Presley, Colonel Tom worried about how Elvis reputation would be affected if he took an easy route in the Army, rather than serving like everyone else. Army of the Dead release date: When is Army of the Dead on Netflix? 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. 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. The press made a huge deal out of Elvis induction into the United States Army. January 27, 2023, 7:23 pm, by 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. It . Upon his arrival, he was sent to . Because of this, Elvis induction into the United States Army did a lot to help him garner the respect of the people. 1956: His Famous Hair. Presley was asked about his decision to serve as a regular soldier instead of as part of the service club. Did Elvis Presley serve in the military? When it came time for Elvis to speak on his tenure in the United States Army in the years after his service, Elvis expressed that it was hard for him to feel as if he was meeting the expectations of the people. 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. It is now available for streaming exclusively on HBO Max beginning September 2. On January 8, 1956, 21 year old Presley was now eligible to be drafted like most American men of that age. The rest, as they say, is history. Elvis Presley served in the U.S. Army for two years and while most biographical accounts seem to quickly skim through the "army years," author Trina Young argues that this period was perhaps the most significant and life-changing time in The King of Rock and Roll's life. One afternoon, after a heated argument with her husband Vernon, Gladys collapsed from exhaustion. [22] Dee Stanley Presley died on September 28, 2013. Speaking of Elviss pain at his mothers passing, his friend Judy Spreckels said: I have never seen anyone as sad as Elvis was. Elvis Presley frequently at 81 Club in 1953 located at 81 North Second Street, Memphis, Tennessee. [citation needed], Introduced to amphetamines by a sergeant while on maneuvers, he became "practically evangelical about their benefits"not only for energy, but for "strength" and weight loss, as welland many of his friends in the outfit joined him in indulging. After buying his off-base property, Elvis continued working in the day but began having lavish parties at night. His induction was a major event, with hundreds of overlookers and media there to witness it. July 2, 2021, 6:38 am, by In June, with 15 days' leave to enjoy, Presley and his friends traveled to Munich and Paris. 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. Why, youre just a baby.. 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. [7] The officer who initially denied Presley his emergency leave was later disciplined for his actions. There are advantages to an atypical job in terms of its work schedule beyond merely accommodating your biological clock's Positions and Skills Sought. 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. Todays equivalent would be like seeing news that a Taylor Swift, Drake, or Dwayne The Rock Johnson-esque celebrity was being summoned to prepare for conflicts in Europe, Asia, or the Arctic. 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