In 1958, as he was topping the musical charts, pop artist Elvis Presley was drafted in to the U.S. Army. He served for two years in Germany before he was honorably discharged and took to swinging his hips onstage again. In honor of his 77th birthday, Life magazine put together a gallery of photos from this period in the rock legend's life. Pictured, Sgt. Elvis Presley prepares to leave Germany in March 1960.
Sgt. Elvis Presley's return home from the army —
In 1958, as he was topping the musical charts, pop artist Elvis Presley was drafted in to the U.S. Army. He served for two years in Germany before he was honorably discharged and took to swinging his hips onstage again. In honor of his 77th birthday, Life magazine put together a gallery of photos from this period in the rock legend's life. Pictured, Sgt. Elvis Presley prepares to leave Germany in March 1960.
James Whitmore/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Elvis Presley at Fort Dix, New Jersey, shortly before his discharge from the U.S. Army in March 1960.
Sgt. Elvis Presley's return home from the army —
Elvis Presley at Fort Dix, New Jersey, shortly before his discharge from the U.S. Army in March 1960.
Al Fenn/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Elvis and Priscilla Beaulieu leave the house he and his family occupied in Bad Nauheim, Germany in March 1960.
Sgt. Elvis Presley's return home from the army —
Elvis and Priscilla Beaulieu leave the house he and his family occupied in Bad Nauheim, Germany in March 1960.
James Whitmore/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Sgt. Elvis Presley at a press conference before leaving Germany in March 1960.
Sgt. Elvis Presley's return home from the army —
Sgt. Elvis Presley at a press conference before leaving Germany in March 1960.
James Whitmore/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Elvis Presley arrives at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, in March 1960.
Sgt. Elvis Presley's return home from the army —
Elvis Presley arrives at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, in March 1960.
Al Fenn/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Elvis Presley fans at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, in March 1960. <a href="http://life.time.com/culture/elvis-presley-life-photos-of-the-king-leaving-the-army-march-1960/" target="_blank" target="_blank">See the full gallery on Life.com.</a>
Sgt. Elvis Presley's return home from the army —
Elvis Presley fans at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, in March 1960. See the full gallery on Life.com.
Al Fenn/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images