This Day in History:, Elvis Presley Is Drafted.
December 20, 1957.
Elvis received his draft notice at
his mansion, Graceland, in Memphis, TN.
Despite outcry from
his fans, he was sworn
in as an army private
on March 24, 1958.
The King of Rock and
Roll took one emergency
leave to visit his mother
before her death.
He was then shipped to Europe to
join Company D, 32nd Tank Battalion,
3rd Armor Division for the next 18 months.
While overseas, Elvis met
14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu during
a party at his off-base residence.
They would marry when Priscilla was 21.
Elvis was considered a role model
for not attempting to avoid the draft.
He was discharged on March 2, 1960