Elvis Presley's Army career rank
25px Sergeant
What did Elvis actually do in the army?
Presley served as a member of two different armor battalions. Between March 28 and September 17, 1958, he belonged to Company A, 2d Medium Tank Battalion, 37th Armor, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. During this assignment he completed basic and advanced military training. Mr.
Was Elvis a good soldier?
By all accounts, Elvis was a good soldier, if not always a good boy. He performed his duties well (as a jeep driver in a tank battalion) and seems to have earned the respect of his fellow soldiers and his commanding officers while stationed in West Germany.
Why did Elvis enlist in the army?
In the movie, after Elvis is arrested for indecency after disobeying a police chief's orders to not even “wiggle a finger” during a performance, Colonel Parker gives Elvis the option to enlist in the military to get out of prison time.
Was Elvis considered a veteran?
On the anniversary of his birthday, today's #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Elvis Presley, who served with the 3d Armored Division in Germany. Elvis Presley was born in 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi, to a working-class family.
What did John Lennon say about Elvis?
'John Lennon said, 'I didn't have the nerve to tell Elvis last night, but when I was in high school I wanted to do everything I could to look like him. I almost got kicked out of school for it. Tell Elvis, without him, we'd be nothing'.
Did Elvis have any friends in the Army?
Army buddies for decades Frank Lax and Elvis Presley were both drafted in March of 1958 and served overseas in Germany. Frank Lax first met Elvis when they boarded the bus for boot camp at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas.
Why did Elvis get kicked out of the Army?
Elvis Presley's time in the Army was an interesting one, during which he did begin a journey that ultimately added to his demise. It is widely considered The King began using drugs during his time in the Army, which became a life-changing problem for the singer.
Did Elvis Presley get kicked out of the Army?
March 3, 1960: Elvis arrives at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey and holds a press conference at Fort Dix that afternoon. March 5, 1960: Elvis is discharged 19 days short of his two-year army commitment.
Did Elvis really fire his manager on stage?
No, Elvis didn't fire the Colonel from the stage at Las Vegas in real life. While the film shows Elvis firing his manager during a show after realising he's being deceived by the Colonel, this is not what happened in real life.
Is Elvis related to Michael Jackson?
Elvis Presley's daughter Lisa Marie married Michael Jackson in 1994, in a short union which took the world by storm. Fans were hugely in favour of their relationship, however odd it was to unite two such important showbiz families.
Who is the most famous veteran?
America's Most Beloved VeteransAudie Murphy.George Washington.Theodore Roosevelt.Alvin York.George Patton.Dwight Eisenhower.Norman Schwarzkopf.Robert E. Lee.More items...
Did Elvis drive tanks?
American singer and actor Elvis Presley served in the United States Army from 1958 to 1960....This article's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia.Elvis PresleyRankSergeantUnitHeadquarters Company, 1st Medium Tank Battalion, 32d Armor, 3d Armored DivisionAwardsGood Conduct Medal4 more rows
Why did Elvis get kicked out of the Army?
Elvis Presley's time in the Army was an interesting one, during which he did begin a journey that ultimately added to his demise. It is widely considered The King began using drugs during his time in the Army, which became a life-changing problem for the singer.
What did Elvis think of the Vietnam War?
Elvis, who served in the US Army and was sent overseas to Germany, was staunchly against those who opposed the Vietnam War.
What Elvis did to his wife?
Priscilla PresleyElvis Presley / Wife (m. 1967–1973)Priscilla Ann Presley is an American actress and businesswoman. She is the former wife of American singer Elvis Presley, as well as co-founder and former chairwoman of Elvis Presley Enterprises, the company that turned Graceland into one of the top tourist attractions in the United States. Wikipedia
What did Elvis do when he got out of the Army?
He almost completely quit touring for eight years in 1961, and he generally avoided people. "Soon after he left the Army, he became increasingly wary of the public and would often rent whole movie theaters and amusement parks to visit at night," Rolling Stone wrote in his obituary.
Pre-induction
In January 1956, Presley turned twenty-one years old. Like most men of that age, he was now eligible to be drafted. Colonel Tom Parker, Presley's manager, was well aware of his client's draft status and how it could affect his career.
Army life
Presley reported for his induction on March 24, 1958, a day dubbed "black Monday" for his fans by the press. Presley was given a physical and assigned Army Serial Number: 53310761, before being sworn in and made leader of his group.
Life in Germany
After training at Fort Hood, Elvis was assigned to the 3rd Armored Division in Friedberg, Germany. He left Fort Hood on September 19, headed for Brooklyn Army Terminal in New York where he and his division would ship out to Germany on September 22.
Discharge
On February 11, 1960 Presley received his Sergeant stripes. The army held a press conference on March 1 before Presley departed from Germany. Presley was asked about his decision to serve as a regular soldier instead of as part of the service club. He said, "I was in a funny position. Actually, that's the only way it could be.
