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Military Figures

Elvis Presley, Gene Hackman, Bob Ross, and more stars who served in the military

We're honoring stars who have served in America's armed forces. Elvis Presley was outfitted with all of his military gear at Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas. Elvis was inducted March 24, 1958, at Memphis and spent several days at Ft. Chaffee before moving on to Ft. Hood Texas on the 28th, where he would undergo six months training. He would return to his hometown March 7, 1960, after completing his tour of duty.
We're honoring stars who have served in America's armed forces.

Elvis Presley was outfitted with all of his military gear at Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas. Elvis was inducted March 24, 1958, at Memphis and spent several days at Ft. Chaffee before moving on to Ft. Hood Texas on the 28th, where he would undergo six months training. He would return to his hometown March 7, 1960, after completing his tour of duty.
Robert Williams, The Commercial Appeal Via USA TODAY NETWORK
Before she reached "Golden Girls" fame, Bea Arthur enlisted in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve during World War II.
Before she reached "Golden Girls" fame, Bea Arthur enlisted in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve during World War II. 
Brad Barket, Getty Images
Oliver Stone was in the Army, spending more than a year serving in the Vietnam War.
Oliver Stone was in the Army, spending more than a year serving in the Vietnam War.
ROBERT HANASHIRO, USA TODAY
Gene Hackman served five years in the Marine Corps as a radio operator.
Gene Hackman served five years in the Marine Corps as a radio operator. 
STR New Via Reuters
Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit served two years in the U.S. Navy.
Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit served two years in the U.S. Navy. 
Steve Marcus, Reuters
John Prine served in the Army in Germany for two years during the Vietnam War.
John Prine served in the Army in Germany for two years during the Vietnam War.
Robert Galbraith, REUTERS
Don Knotts, who starred in "The Andy Griffith Show," served in the Army.
Don Knotts, who starred in "The Andy Griffith Show," served in the Army.
Rose Prouser, REUTERS
"Wheel of Fortune" host Pat Sajak served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War as a DJ for the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service .
"Wheel of Fortune" host Pat Sajak served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War as a DJ for the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.
Sony Pictures Entertainment / Getty Images
Comedian Sinbad, aka David Adkins, served in the Air Force and regularly performed his stand-up routine there.
Comedian Sinbad, aka David Adkins, served in the Air Force and regularly performed his stand-up routine there. 
Robert Mora, Getty Images
Jimmy Stewart was drafted into the U.S. Armed Forces in 1941 and was assigned to the Army Air Corps. After World War II, Stewart remained in the Air Force Reserve and was promoted to brigadier general in 1959, officially retiring from the Air Force in 1968.
Jimmy Stewart was drafted into the U.S. Armed Forces in 1941 and was assigned to the Army Air Corps. After World War II, Stewart remained in the Air Force Reserve and was promoted to brigadier general in 1959, officially retiring from the Air Force in 1968.
Getty Images, Getty Images
Johnny Cash served in the Air Force, where he wrote one of his early hit songs, "I Walk the Line."
Johnny Cash served in the Air Force, where he wrote one of his early hit songs, "I Walk the Line."
Hulton Archive, Getty Images
Oscar-winning actor and director Clint Eastwood, who served in the Army during the Korean War. He was sent to Ft. Ord in California for basic training, got a job as a swimming instructor and remained at Ft. Ord. He studied acting on the G.I. Bill.
Oscar-winning actor and director Clint Eastwood, who served in the Army during the Korean War. He was sent to Ft. Ord in California for basic training, got a job as a swimming instructor and remained at Ft. Ord. He studied acting on the G.I. Bill.
Keystone, Getty Images
Kirk Douglas served in the Navy during World War II, where he was a gunnery and communications officer in anti-submarine warfare onboard PC-1139.
Kirk Douglas served in the Navy during World War II, where he was a gunnery and communications officer in anti-submarine warfare onboard PC-1139. 
AFP, AFP Via Getty Images
John Amos served in the 50th Armored Division of the New Jersey National Guard and was an Honorary Master Chief of the U.S. Coast Guard.
John Amos served in the 50th Armored Division of the New Jersey National Guard and was an Honorary Master Chief of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images
Hugh Hefner joined the military shortly after high school and served in World War II.
Hugh Hefner joined the military shortly after high school and served in World War II.
R. Brigden, Getty Images
Bob Ross was a 1st sergeant in the Air Force, a job he says "requires you to be a mean, tough person." "I was the guy who makes you scrub the latrine, the guy who makes you make your bed, the guy who screams at you for being late to work," Ross told the Orlando Sentinel in 1990. "And I was fed up with it. I promised myself that if I ever got away from it, it wasn't going to be that way any more." The Sentinel reports that, after Ross retired from the military in 1981 following 20 years of service, he vowed never to scream again.
Bob Ross was a 1st sergeant in the Air Force, a job he says "requires you to be a mean, tough person."

"I was the guy who makes you scrub the latrine, the guy who makes you make your bed, the guy who screams at you for being late to work," Ross told the Orlando Sentinel in 1990. "And I was fed up with it. I promised myself that if I ever got away from it, it wasn't going to be that way any more."

The Sentinel reports that, after Ross retired from the military in 1981 following 20 years of service, he vowed never to scream again.
Acey Harper, Getty Images
Adam Driver was in the Marine Corps for nearly three years before an injury led to a medical discharge.
Adam Driver was in the Marine Corps for nearly three years before an injury led to a medical discharge.
John Lamparski, Getty Images
American comedian and actor Bob Newhart was drafted to the Army during the Korean War.
American comedian and actor Bob Newhart was drafted to the Army during the Korean War. 
Express, Getty Images
Country singer James Otto served in the Navy for two years.
Country singer James Otto served in the Navy for two years.
Eileen Blass, USA TODAY
Country and roots rock singer Sturgill Simpson served three years in the Navy, where he worked in the Combat Information Center.
Country and roots rock singer Sturgill Simpson served three years in the Navy, where he worked in the Combat Information Center. 
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com
Montel Williams served for 15 years between the Marines and Navy, working his way up to lieutenant commander.
Montel Williams served for 15 years between the Marines and Navy, working his way up to lieutenant commander.
Chris Weeks, Getty Images
Billy Cox, pictured, was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, in the U.S. Army. That's where he first met friend and future bandmate Jimi Hendrix.
Billy Cox, pictured, was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, in the U.S. Army. That's where he first met friend and future bandmate Jimi Hendrix.
John Partipilo/The Tennessean
Wes Studi served with A Company, 3rd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam.
Wes Studi served with A Company, 3rd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam.
Vince Bucci, Getty Images
Skye P. Marshall served three years in the U.S. Air Force.
Skye P. Marshall served three years in the U.S. Air Force. 
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY
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