Buzz
Elvis Presley was conscripted into the U.S. Army in 1957, a time when he was already a household name with chart-topping tracks such as "Heartbreak Hotel," "Blue Suede Shoes," and "Hound Dog." Although he qualified for Special Services, which would have allowed him to entertain troops, Elvis chose to enlist as a regular soldier—a decision that significantly bolstered his public reputation. As a newsreel from that era put it, "Uncle Sam doesn't play favorites."
Elvis officially joined the U.S. Army on March 24, 1958. His two-year service included a deployment to West Germany, where he was stationed from October 1, 1958, to March 2, 1960, as part of the 1st Medium Tank Battalion, 32d Armor. During this period, he earned a promotion to the rank of Sergeant.
It was near Giessen that Colin Powell, who would later become Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of State, encountered Elvis while serving as a young lieutenant in the 3rd Armored Division. Powell recounted the meeting to the BBC, describing how he stumbled upon Elvis in the woods: "He served his country for two years, and I saw him in the field, doing what every other soldier does." Powell remembered Elvis as being covered in dirt and looking exhausted, yet he remained courteous and disciplined, saluting and shaking hands. "His commanders thought highly of him, promoting him from private to sergeant," Powell noted. "What struck me was that Elvis didn’t seek special treatment; he completed his two-year service without complaint, even taking on the duties of a non-commissioned officer."
In his memoir, Powell recalls that his children only showed genuine interest in his wartime tales when he shared the story of meeting Elvis. "They were utterly amazed that their father had actually shaken hands with the King," he wrote.
Powell continued his military career, eventually achieving the rank of four-star general. Elvis, on the other hand, resumed his civilian life in 1960. In his first interview after leaving the Army, he stated, "My immediate plan is to record new music, followed by appearing on a television special with Frank Sinatra."
