Elvis Presley Was Inducted Into the US Army
On this day · 24 March 1958
At the height of his fame, the King of Rock and Roll swapped his blue suede shoes for Army boots as an ordinary private.
On March 24, 1958, Elvis Presley was inducted into the United States Army at the Memphis Draft Board in Tennessee. He reported early that morning, accompanied by his parents, Gladys and Vernon, and was assigned serial number 53310761. After a physical and processing, he boarded a bus with other recruits the same afternoon.
Despite being one of the most famous entertainers on the planet, Presley received no special treatment. He was sworn in as a standard private and even placed in temporary charge of his induction group for the day.
By March 28, he had arrived at Fort Hood, Texas, for six months of basic training. He was later posted with the 3rd Armored Division in Friedberg, West Germany, where he met Priscilla Beaulieu, his future wife.
Presley earned his sergeant’s stripes before his discharge in March 1960.
His military records are preserved by the National Archives as a Persons of Exceptional Prominence file, open to the public.
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