ELVIS

Memorabilia and mementos from Elvis' 1958-60 army career are displayed in this area of his Graceland trophy building.

On March 14, 1958, Elvis was inducted into the United States Army at Memphis Draft Board and assigned serial number 53310761. On March 25, at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, he received his indoctrination exam and famous haircut, eliminating his long hair and sideburns. He was then assigned to basic training at fort Hood, Texas. Private Presley was stationed there for six months and his parents joined him at a temporary home near the base.
In August 1958, Gladys Presley became ill and returned to Memphis to be hospitalized with acute hepatitis. Elvis was granted emergency leave and arrived in Memphis on the afternoon of August 12, Gladys Presley died in the early hours of August 14 at the age of 46. She lay in state at Graceland and services were held on the Memphis Funeral Home on August 15. Elvis was devastated by his mother�s passing, but returned to his army duties on August 25.
Elvis left the U.S. for his eighteen-month assignment to West Germany in September 1958.
His father Vernon Presley and grandmother Minnie Mae Presley lived with him in his off-base residence in Bad Nauheim. It would be there, in late 1959, that Elvis would be introduced to Priscilla Ann Beaulieu, an American Air Force captain�s daughter, who would later play a significant role in his life.
Elvis achieved the rank of private first class in November 1958, specialist fourth class in June 1959, ans sergeant in January 1960. He was honorably discharged on March 5,1960. Elvis received no special privileges as a famous soldier and worked doubly hard to prove that he was serving his country just like any other G.I. Part of Elvis� personal commitment was that he did not perform in concert during his two years in service though he was often asked to do so. Although he worried intensely that so much time away from entertaining and movie-making might destroy his career, he needn�t have been concerned. Elvis� greatest successes were yet to come.

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