In 1958, at the absolute height of his musical fame, Elvis Presley received his draft notice for the United States Army. While he could have joined Special Services to perform for the troops, his manager Colonel Tom Parker convinced him otherwise. They decided Elvis should serve as a regular soldier to win over a wider American audience. On March 24, 1958, he was inducted into the army as a private, famously receiving his buzz cut at Fort Hood.
He was eventually stationed in Friedberg, Germany, with the 3rd Armored Division. During his service, he worked as a jeep driver and lived off base with his father and grandmother. It was during this time in Germany that he met fourteen year old Priscilla Beaulieu, who would later become his wife. Despite his massive wealth, he donated his entire army salary to charity and purchased extra uniforms for his fellow soldiers.
Elvis was honorably discharged from active duty in March 1960. He returned to a career that was stronger than ever, having proved his patriotism to the older generation. This two year hiatus remains one of the most significant periods in the history of pop culture and the United States military.
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Disclaimer: This video is for information and entertainment purposes. The story is based on public historical records and images are for illustrative purposes.
