Today is the 80th birth anniversary of Elvis Presley who was born on January 8, 2015. And on March 24, 1958, he stepped out of his singer/performer role to join the ranks of the Army. Sharing here a little history, compliments of the VA Central Office Historian. Sixty-two years ago, on January 19, 1953, Elvis Presley was an ordinary Memphis youth who signed up with the selective service just as thousands of other 18 year old American boys all over the country did. At the time, America’s young men were required to register with the local selective service board when they turned 18 with the understanding that they could be drafted for military service at any time. He registered and went about his business, trying to make a living as a musician and singer. The following year, he hit the jackpot when his song “That’s All Right Mama” was released by Sun Records in July 1954—and the “King of Rock ‘n Roll” was born. Elvis’ hip-swaying moves while performing had never been seen before and created quite a stir with teenage girls and their disapproving parents. He soon drew large crowds of adoring fans wherever he played and became a phenomenon that Hollywood and the rest of America could not ignore. By the end of 1956, Elvis Presley made history by breaking all previous records for number one hits. Just as his star was rising to new heights, his number came up at the selective service office. It was a cruel twist of fate. He did not want to shirk his civic responsibility, but at the same time, his career was on fire and he didn’t want to lose that momentum, either. There was always a chance that he’d fail the physical test, but after passing it with flying colors, his service with Uncle Sam was imminent. Presley’s pre-induction physical was conducted at the VA hospital in Memphis. Both the Navy and Army were interested in him for promotional purposes to bolster recruitment. But Presley refused any special treatment and asked to be treated the same as every other man inducted. He obtained a short deferment so that he could complete filming of King Creole and entered the Army as a regular GI—Private Elvis Presley--at Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas, on March 24, 1958. His famous tousled hair and “ducktail” were soon shorn and he was stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas, for Basic Training, assigned to the Second Armored Division (once led by General George Patton). He played music in his free time, even cutting new records while on leave in Memphis. An outpouring of letters from concerned female fans called for leniency, early release, you name it, to get their idol out of the military and harm’s way. After Basic Training, Private Presley was stationed in Friedberg, Germany with the Third Armored Division. He was promoted to Private First Class in November 1958, Specialist Fourth Class (equivalent to corporal) in June 1959, and to Sergeant E-5 on January 20, 1960. While in Germany he was hospitalized twice for tonsilitis and met his future bride, Priscilla Beaulieu, whose father was also in the Army and recently stationed there. Some footage for his first post-military film “G.I. Blues” was filmed while he was stationed in Germany. Never before had an Army inductee been followed so closely in the press. Elvis Presley’s active service lasted six years--from March 24, 1958 until March 5, 1960 with an additional four years spent in the reserves. His final Army paycheck in 1960 was for the amount of $109.54. He grossed $1,600,000 from record sales, television, & movie guarantees in 1959 while serving in Germany. Elvis Presley, the entertainment icon, was considered a rebel of his time and shaped not only American music, but music around the world. However, Sgt. Elvis Presley, the young man who became a Veteran, set a good example for others of his generation by fulfilling his civic duty and serving in the U.S. military.
Posted on: Thu, 08 Jan 2015 18:49:15 +0000
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