Elvis, An Honorable Soldier | The story
of G.I. Presley is well-known among the Elvis community. Here are a few reasons why Elvis stood out as an model soldier, setting a fine example of what soldiering is all about.
"Victory or Death" was the motto of the 3rd Army, 32nd Armor, Spearhead Division, disbanded in 1992. Elvis undertook basic training at Fort Hood, Texas, named for his 5th cousin, General John Bell Hood.

Our condolences go to the soldiers and personnel at Fort Hood, and to those killed there in the terrorist-related massacre, 2009.


Elvis was given no special treatment and requested to be allowed to be "one of the boys." However, the press was there at every turn, photographing Elvis in uniform, during maneuvers, during R & R--he could not even avoid the media while serving in the armed forces.
Elvis was bothered by the fact that because of the constant press coverage his comrades would have to train harder since their training would be filmed. Elvis, himself, had to work harder. Though not serving in wartime, the mission of Elvis' unit was to guard the German border against Russian invasion. The Berlin Wall had not yet gone up.
Elvis feared that his career would end during his military tenure. Still, he would not give up being a soldier and commented freely that he had learned alot from his military service and that he had made good friends, including Charlie Hodge and Joe Esposito who later became part of Elvis' Memphis Mafia.
God Bless America!
Question: while stationed in Bad Nauheim, Germany, Elvis and comrades from southern US did something they had never done back home. What did they do?
Give up? Here's the answer>>
Approached by the media
during a 40,000 man sleep out
in 3 ft. snow, Elvis was told
that he was invited to go to Miami, then Paris, then to Rome for a special meeting with the Pope. Elvis would not commit.
He spoke to his manager, Col. Tom, about it for he didn't feel right about it. Neither did the Colonel. Elvis could not leave 40,000 men sleeping in the
freezing cold snow while he
went to these beautiful places.
He politely refused the invitation.


Had he not been an entertainer, Elvis would have made a career in the United States military.

Elvis receives a certificate of achievement from the United States Army.

Elvis put his career "on hold" for two years to become a "regular" G. I. But would the press allow it? Not.

Elvis was an expert marksman in the combat arm of this armored division.He was a model soldier, an inspiration to many comrades because he was one amongst them, peeling potatoes on KP, marching for miles with an 80 lb pack strapped to his back, and pulling guard duty. For a time he became a jeep driver for his sargeant. There was no special treatment for Private Presley who exited the service as Sargeant Presley.


Elvis is 3rd from left, top row
Elvis enjoyed his time in the military and other than losing his mother during basic training, his service went as good as could be expected. When he returned home, the fans were still waiting, and Elvis' star rose higher than ever before.
click image to enlarge

Elvis was an expert marksman in the combat arm of this armored division.He was a model soldier, an inspiration to many comrades because he was one amongst them, peeling potatoes on KP, marching for miles with an 80 lb pack strapped to his back, and pulling guard duty. For a time he became a jeep driver for his sargeant. There was no special treatment for Private Presley who exited the service as Sargeant Presley.








MORE G.I. PHOTOS>>


Elvis in Bad Nauheim, Germany
During Elvis service in the US Army, he never dreamed that such an honorable obligation would lead to a series of testing and a pre-ordained addiction to pills. The military experiments of MK ULTRA that took place during the Cold War years of the 1950's need to be addressed in more detail, and the records for possible "testing" on a witting soldier named "Presley," just one among hundreds, is being further examined by The Kin of Rock and Roll.

Regardless of the true intentions of the United States Armed Forces at the time, Sgt. Elvis Presley believed that his service to God and country was most honorable and something he would be proud of for the remainder of his life.

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