Photos - Elvis Presley In The U.S. Army 1958-1960

Elvis received his draft notice Friday December 20, 1957. 'It's a duty I've got to fill and I'm going to do it', he said. Initially ordered to report for duty January 20, he received a deferment for the filming of 'King Creole' (at that time titled 'Sing, You, Sinners') which was already in pre-production. The deferment was granted and Elvis was inducted March 24, 1958.

- Elvis Presley Kennedy Veterans Hospital January 4, 1957
- Elvis Presley Graceland with Gladys & Vernon + Army Induction - March 24, 1958

Elvis Presley In The U.S. Army 1958-1960

Elvis blows a strand of hair from his hand, while receiving a haircut

Elvis Presley spent three days at Fort Chaffee in March 1958 after he was inducted into the Army. It was there he received that famous haircut. Fred Kinslow of Greenwood was 24 and a barber at Fort Chaffee at the time. He was standing near the singer when the locks came off, but he was left out of the pictures circulated worldwide of Presley getting trimmed. He said the owner of the barbershop franchise at Chaffee, H. L. Sallee, told him he would be the one to cut Presley's hair. But at the last minute, James 'Pete' Peterson, supervisor of the barbers, decided he would do the cutting. Kinslow remembered it was so crowded in the shop with reporters and photographers it was difficult to move around. Presley was mobbed wherever he went on the installation. 'I don’t know whether he got any sleep with all the cameras on him all the time', Kinslow said. After three days at Fort Chaffee, Presley was sent to Texas to complete his basic training.

Elvis Presley at Fort Chaffee

March 28, Elvis Presley was outfitted with all of his military gear at Ft Chaffee, Ark.

By the 28th, Elvis arrived at Fort Hood, Texas where he would undergo six months of training before shipping off to Germany.

A. J. 'Al' Flogge, a native of Kent, donated his collection of more than 2,000 photographs, many signed and inscribed, mementos and keepsakes from many world famous celebrities to Kent State University.

As a life-long collector, Flogge acquired many of the photographs by writing to the celebrities who were also kind enough to autograph many of the items. Flogge also served in the Army in 1958 at Ft. Hood where Elvis Presley was also stationed at the beginning of his two year army hitch. A signed photograph of Elvis and Flogge taken is included in the collection.

Elvis Presley In The U.S. Army 1958-1960 - USS Randall

During the crossing Elvis and Charlie Hodge became fast friends. They bunked together at Elvis' request and Charlie cheers him up with jokes and tales of show business. Together they are put in charge of a shipboard talent show in which Elvis plays piano in the back up band (at the Colonels explicit instructions, he does not sing) while Charlie acts as MC.

Elvis Presley In The U.S. Army 1958-1960 - Arriving in Germany

Arriving in Germany on and October 1, Elvis' unit was stationed in Friedberg, Germany. Upon arrival he was assigned to the Ray Kaserne barracks. He served in Company C, a scout platoon.

Elvis Presley In The U.S. Army 1958-1960 - Grafenwöhr

Through November and much of December, Private Presley went on manoeuvres at Grafenwöhr and was promoted to Private First Class for his endeavours in field exercises.

Elvis Presley In The U.S. Army 1958-1960

Elvis in Munich

October 23 1958, Elvis attends the Bill Haley performance in Frankfort and visits Haley backstage.

Elvis celebrates the halfway mark of his army stint with an Over the Hump Party - March 27, 1959

Elvis and Hal Wallis Standing next to a Mercedes-Benz sports car (type: 300 SL)

Elvis Presley In The U.S. Army 1958-1960 - Sergeant Presley Preparing to go home

Next - Sergeant Presley Back in the USA

Read about Elvis Presley In The U.S. Army 1958-1960

Photos - Elvis Presley Kennedy Veterans Hospital January 4, 1957
Photos - Elvis Presley Graceland with Gladys & Vernon + Army Induction - March 24, 1958
Photos - Elvis Presley and his BMW 507 in Germany

Recommended Books

For photos of Elvis in Paris we can highly recommend the book Elvis a Paris.

A Date With Elvis - Army Days Revisited - Essential. The book is in both English and German which enhances the book and it Being about Elvis in Germany. Filled with 900 rare and previously unpublished photos, original news stories, interviews and pictures of memorabilia over 240 pages, this book is highly recommended. Also Includes the text of interviews such as Graceland 1960, Pat Hernon, Elvis Sails etc. Unbelievable, fascinating, just brilliant! What more could I say? A Date With Elvis - Army Days Revisited is a 'must have'! ~ Ger Rijff (Author Inside King Creole)

Private Presley: The Missing Years - Elvis in Germany - By Andreas SchrÖer, part author of the above 'A Date With Elvis'. 'Private Presley' traces the story of Elvis's two years in the army: the trauma of his mother's death just three weeks before he left for Germany; the media circus of his arrival and the constant attention of the press during his stay; his first experiments with drugs; the girls with whom he was and was not involved; his early encounters with his future wife, Priscilla, who was just fourteen when they met; and his triumphant return to America.