Ira Jones

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Ira Jones (July 10, 1923-July 11, 2004) was an author, best known as the first sergeant in charge of Elvis Presley for a portion of the time Elvis served in the army. Elvis drove Jones' jeep while the two were stationed together in Germany.

The two first met in the port city of Bremerhaven, Germany, in the autumn of 1958 when Elvis was among the replacement troops arriving aboard the USS General Randall.

Elvis drove Jones in a jeep named "HQ 31," for nine months while serving in the Scout Platoon, 1st Medium Tank Battalion, 32nd Armor, of the 3rd Armored Division, part of the U.S. Seventh Army. It has been reported that the two formed a close bond during their time together. [1]

In 1978, Jones began writing a book about the time he spent with Elvis, entitled Soldier Boy Elvis. The book was published in 1993.

Jones died of a heart attack in July of 2004 in the U.S. state of Arkansas where he grew up.

[edit] Bibliography

• Soldier Boy Elvis (1993 ISBN 1-879207-23-0)

[edit] External links

• Photo of Elvis with Jones
• Bill E. Burk pays tribute to Sergeant Ira Jones