Celebrities Who Served in the Military
We at KSR and Funkhouser are beyond thankful and grateful to the men and women who have served in our Armed Forces and would love to honor them this Memorial Day. Since this is our site for reporting on pop culture and entertainment, I did some research on celebrities who served in the military. I'm shocked to say that I had no idea most of these entertainers were also veterans, so I am proud to honor them for their service and sacrifice today.
1. Elvis Presley
The King of Rock 'n' Roll was drafted by the U.S. Army during his rise to stardom. He entered the army as GI at Ft. Chaffee in 1958. His induction was even a major event with hundreds of spectators and media in attendance.
2. Clint Eastwood
Eastwood served in the Army as a swimming instructor at Ft. Ord. Once when he was hitching a ride aboard a Navy torpedo bomber, the plane developed engine trouble and was forced to ditch in San Francisco Bay. Eastwood swam over a mile, foreshadowing a future role in "Escape from Alcatraz." After his discharge in 1953, Eastwood attended L.A. City College and studied drama under the GI Bill.
3. Johnny Cash
The "Man in Black" joined the Air Force fresh out of high school in 1950 just as the Korean War began, and spent most of his four-year enlistment in Germany. Cash served as an intercept operator with the USAF Security Service. He bought a guitar once he started receiving military pay.
4. Morgan Freeman
Freeman was so in love with the idea of flying that he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1955 instead of accepting a scholarship for drama from Jackson State University. He left the Air Force in 1959 and acted on stage for over 20 years before making it into TV and movies.
5. Hugh Hefner
In 1944, after graduating high school, Hefner enlisted in the Army as an infantry clerk. He frequently contributed cartoons for military newspapers before he was discharged in 1946.
To all the men and women who have served our country and fought for us all- Thank you!
1. Elvis Presley
The King of Rock 'n' Roll was drafted by the U.S. Army during his rise to stardom. He entered the army as GI at Ft. Chaffee in 1958. His induction was even a major event with hundreds of spectators and media in attendance.
2. Clint Eastwood
Eastwood served in the Army as a swimming instructor at Ft. Ord. Once when he was hitching a ride aboard a Navy torpedo bomber, the plane developed engine trouble and was forced to ditch in San Francisco Bay. Eastwood swam over a mile, foreshadowing a future role in "Escape from Alcatraz." After his discharge in 1953, Eastwood attended L.A. City College and studied drama under the GI Bill.
3. Johnny Cash
The "Man in Black" joined the Air Force fresh out of high school in 1950 just as the Korean War began, and spent most of his four-year enlistment in Germany. Cash served as an intercept operator with the USAF Security Service. He bought a guitar once he started receiving military pay.
4. Morgan Freeman
Freeman was so in love with the idea of flying that he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1955 instead of accepting a scholarship for drama from Jackson State University. He left the Air Force in 1959 and acted on stage for over 20 years before making it into TV and movies.
5. Hugh Hefner
In 1944, after graduating high school, Hefner enlisted in the Army as an infantry clerk. He frequently contributed cartoons for military newspapers before he was discharged in 1946.
To all the men and women who have served our country and fought for us all- Thank you!
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