Editor’s note: This story was originally published on March 5, 205.
A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.
On March 5, 1960, Elvis Presley finished up his two-year hitch of service in the U.S. Army.
Elvis was well on his way to becoming a music legend when he entered the Army in March 1958.
In 1958, he was drafted and served in West Germany. Many of his steps and stops along the way made news. “Elvis swaps mansion for Army living,” was the Deseret News headline as the singer-songwriter began service at Fort Chaffee in Arkansas. Within a couple of the days, Presley was ordered to get his hair cut.
“Hair today, gone tomorrow,” quipped Elvis from his barber’s chair before 55 members of the press.
Elvis wasn’t dispatched to Special Services to entertains troops, as other entertainers often were. Rather, he was put in the 3rd Armored Division in Friedburg, Germany.
In truth, historians note that Elvis created plenty of headaches for the Army, with swarming fans, reporters and photographers.
After his service, Elvis held a final press conference on March 1. On March 5, Sgt. Presley walked off the Fort Dix base in New Jersey, to shrieks of young fans.
“Elvis makes noisy Army exit,” read the headline in the Deseret News.
Many American entertainers and sports figures were drafted or spent time in serving their country, including Tony Bennett, Chuck Norris, Mel Brooks, Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman. Johnny Cash, Humphrey Bogart, Jimmy Hendrix and even Bea Arthur are on that list as well.
Here are some stories from Deseret News archives about Elvis and his time in the military:
“German town still loves Elvis as tender as ever”
“Elvis memorabilia on auction block”
“Elvis Presley’s 1961 benefit concert remembered”
“Love Elvis? Check out these flicks”
“Deseret News archives: Rock ‘n’ roll star Elvis Presley died in 1977, but his legend lives on”
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