Country Music Heroes Who Served The Country
Country music loves to pride itself in supporting the troops and the cause of the military more than any other genre. Though some of it may be bravado meant more for marketing, there are many legends in the country music ranks that served their country as young men. Here’s a list of country heroes who served the county.
Kris Kristofferson
Possibly country music’s most well-known veteran, Kris Kristofferson came from a family that pushed him to enlist after attending Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar and graduating with a degree in literature. Yes, Kristofferson was a smart one to say the least, and achieved the rank of Captain in the US Army as a helicopter pilot and Ranger. He received his training at Fort Rucker, Alabama before being deployed to West Germany as part of the 8th Infantry Division. After serving out his tour of duty, Kristofferson was scheduled to become an English Literature professor at West Point, but decided to pursue a career in songwriting instead. The decision meant he was disowned by his family, but that didn’t stop the American Veterans Awards from naming Kris “Veteran of the Year” in 2003. Kristofferson’s first job in music was sweeping floors at Columbia Studios. His first successful songwriting hit was “Vietnam Blues” recorded by Dave Dudley.
Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson may be known as one of the world’s greatest pacifists, but he grew up in an era when military service was expected of young men, and the draft was in full force. So he voluntarily joined the Air Force in 1951 in the midst of the Korean War, wanting to be a jet pilot. He received his first basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, but it was concluded Willie was too “absentminded” (as Willie puts it) to be in the cockpit of a jet. So the Air Force shipped him to Shepherd Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, TX, and eventually to Scott Air Force Base in Illinois for more basic training. Eventually they made him a medic, but years of bailing hay in Willie’s hometown of Abbott, TX had given him a bad back condition and he was discharged after 9 months of service.
Johnny Cash
In 1950, a year before Willie Nelson made his way to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio to enlist in the Air Force, future fellow Highwayman Johnny Cash did the same. Cash spent 4 years in the service, rising to Staff Sargent, and becoming a Morse Code intercept operator working in Landsberg, West Germany. Johnny is given credit for intercepting the first radio transmission announcing the news of the death of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. The name of Cash’s first band was “The Landsberg Barbarians,” an homage to the German town he called home. When Cash was honorably discharged in July of 1954, he returned to Texas to marry his first wife Vivian Liberto who he’d met at a roller rink when in basic training.
Shel Silverstein
Before Shel Silverstein penned “A Boy Named Sue” for Johnny Cash, “Put Another Log on the Fire” for Tompall Glaser, and many other country hits, and before he’d go on to sell over 20 million children’s books, he was an illustrator for the Pacific Stars & Stripes military publication. Silverstein was drafted into the Army in 1953 and served in both Korea and Japan. When it was clear Silverstein was not fit for combat, he began illustrating an article series called Take Ten, amusing service members with his drawings and anecdotes about military life. Later his cartoons would be featured in two books: Take Ten and Grab Your Socks!, becoming big sellers for Ballintine Books, and introducing the world to Shel’s illustrative and comedic genius.
Jamey Johnson
There’s many “new Outlaws” in mainstream country music right now walking around with dogs tags, but Jamey Johnson is the only one with actual military cred to back the fashion accessory up. After dropping out of Jacksonville State University, Johnson enlisted in the Marine Corps where he served for 8 solid years, rising to the rank of corporal as a mortarman in the 23rd Marines, 3rd Batallion. During his Marine Corps stint, he was known for playing his original songs for bunk mates, and two of the songs on Jamey’s first self-released album mention the Marines. By coincidence, Johnson was discharged from the military 1 week before his unit deployed to Iraq, but he’s been to both Iraq and Afghanistan multiple times since, making regular appearances on USO tours.
” George Jones was enlisted in the Marine Corps in the early 1950’s during The Korean War, stationed in San Jose, California until he was discharged in 1953.
” Roger Miller enlisted in the Army and served in the Korean War to avoid being arrested for stealing a guitar when he was 17.
” Wayne “The Train” Hancock was in the Marines, and gives credit to his time in Okinawa for endowing him with his love for the steel guitar sound.
” George Strait was enlisted in the Army from 1971 to 1975, stationed in Hawaii for the later half of his career as part of the 25th Infantry Division. He performed in an army-sanctioned country band called “Rambling Country.”
” Songwriter Billy Don Burns was a paratrooper from 1968-1970.
” Charlie Louvin of The Louvin Brothers served in both World War II and The Korean War.
” Hank Thompson served in the Navy in Word War II.
” Texas country traditionalist Jason Eady served in The Air Force for six years as a translator.
” Johnny Paycheck and Sturgill Simpson both served in the Navy.
” Tompall Glaser, John Prine, and Earl Thomas Conley were all in the Army.
” Slim Whitman, Faron Young, Marty Robbins, Ferlin Husky, Hawkshaw Hawkins, Josh Gracin, and Craig Morgan also served.
May 27, 2013 @ 8:22 am
Add Jackson Taylor to that list. He was in the Army.
May 27, 2013 @ 8:47 am
Cool! Anyone got any more info on it? What branch? When? Can’t find anything in his bio.
November 11, 2013 @ 11:09 pm
I believe he was airborne infantry. Definitely stationed at Bragg. Heard Craig Morgan was as well.
November 11, 2015 @ 11:52 am
Jackson Taylor, U.S. Army Medic in the early 90’s. Discharged after 6 years for misconduct lol. He’s very proud of his service when ya hear him talk about it. Good guy.
May 27, 2013 @ 8:40 am
What no Toby Keith?
May 27, 2013 @ 8:42 am
Thanks to all of them. Whenever I see a person wearing a ball cap that states they served or if they are in uniform I always say Thank You for Serving the country.
May 27, 2013 @ 9:30 am
While his music probably doesn’t have many fans on this site, Craig Morgan spent 10 years as a paratrooper for the 101st and 82 Airborne Divisions in the Army.
May 27, 2013 @ 8:27 pm
He may have wrote “Corn Star,” but if he served, he deserves nothing but our recognition! Times like this when we must put our tastes aside.
May 28, 2013 @ 4:35 pm
He had a song a long time ago called “Paradise” that’s pretty fitting.
May 29, 2013 @ 9:28 am
I honestly like Craig Morgan. I love this site, and I love underground country. But Craig Morgan was always one of my favorite pop country artists. Listen to “Better stories”
When I’m alone I listen to the old stuff, hank3, goddamn gallows, ugly valley boys, and jayke orvis. But it seems to me that most of the stuff is an acquired taste and most of my friends don’t get into it like I do. I admittedly listen to some pop country, but in the last few years it just gets more and more fruity.
Anyways, Thanks for running the site triggerman, You do a great job and I check daily.
May 27, 2013 @ 9:40 am
Elvis, though not primarily considered Country, also served…
May 27, 2013 @ 9:58 am
Cool article. Had no idea bout shel serving. He’s cool just found out he was running buddies with ole Waylon and Billy joe Shaver back in tha day
May 27, 2013 @ 10:39 am
Gee, I didn’t know all of these artists DIED while serving their country. It is MEMORIAL day, after all.
May 27, 2013 @ 11:06 am
First off, notice that I did not reference Memorial Day in this article. I understand it is implied because it was posted on Memorial Day, but like with most of my articles, the intention is to create an archive that can be referenced at any time for information that is both entertaining and informative.
Second, I choose to use Memorial Day to show tribute to ALL the individuals that made personal sacrifices in service to the country. I understand that the spirit of the day may mean different things for different people, and I respect that. Really this was just mean to be a cool article about some folks that served.
May 27, 2013 @ 11:20 am
I appreciate the article, Memorial day is a day to me to reflect on those that lost their life, served or are still serving. The fact that they served or are serving tells me they are ready and willing to lose their life for me and my country. How brave and unselfish is that? I can honestly say I would never be brave enough to make that sacrifice. So thank you for this very cool and informitive article.
May 27, 2013 @ 11:21 am
Audie Murphy is one of, if not, the most decorated soldiers in American military history. He also wrote and recorded numerous country songs, many of them were hits.
May 27, 2013 @ 3:57 pm
Really cool and interesting article. Thanks, Trig.
May 27, 2013 @ 6:42 pm
Charlie Louvin served during both World War II and the Korean War.
May 27, 2013 @ 7:48 pm
My grandpa talks about being in the army with Faron Young, Bobby Lord,and Bobby Helms.
May 27, 2013 @ 8:12 pm
One of my favorite singers of all time Mr. Hank Thompson served in the U.S Navy throughout World War II and went to Princeton University and studied Electrical Engineering. He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, I beleve the class of 1989. Also, I thought Ray Price was in the service and I know Freddie Hart was in the Marine Corp.
May 28, 2013 @ 12:04 am
Thanks for the information. I thought I also remembered some military service for Ray Price, but have been unable to get my fingers on the info so far.
May 27, 2013 @ 11:57 pm
Josh Gracin was in the Marine Corps. he was a supply clerk at Camp Pendleton, CA. Not real country, but he still served.
May 28, 2013 @ 12:00 am
From 2000 to 2004. Rising to the rank of Lance Corporal. He was apart of 1st Maintenance Battalion.
May 28, 2013 @ 8:37 am
Jason Eady was in the Air Force for six years as a translator. http://www.jasoneady.com/about.html
May 28, 2013 @ 11:36 am
Thanks for the info!
May 28, 2013 @ 2:23 pm
I don’t know how I forgot this one being that he is from my hometown but Mel Tillis served in the U.S Airforce before moving onto Nashville. He was probably 1 of the top 10 writers in Country Music history. Webb Pierce made a fortune off of him by demanding writer credits on every song Mel gave him. Mel wrote Ruby Don’t Take Your Love to Town about his neighbor in Pahokee, Florida and Detroit City about his personal experience.
May 28, 2013 @ 4:00 pm
Leon McAuliffe was a flight instructor during WW II.
May 29, 2013 @ 6:11 am
I think Jerry Reed also served in the army. Not sure for how long, but I do believe he was there.
May 31, 2013 @ 6:54 pm
Not really popular on this site but both Toby Keith and Kid Rock spend a lot of time overseas entertaining the troops and the troops appear to appreciate their efforts.
June 4, 2013 @ 9:08 am
Some more of my faves…
Marty Robbins was a small boat coxswain in the Navy during WWII, serving in the south Pacific.
I think Ray Price joined the Marines in late 1945 or 1946 but it’s been hard to double check on the Marine muster rolls since there were quite a few “Ray Price’s” on there then.
Bobby Bare was drafted into the Army, where a demo of “All American Boy” he cut before leaving was credited to Bill Parsons instead.
And I thought I read once that Johnny Paycheck had been in the Navy but was thrown out after hitting an officer. His record would probably be an interesting one to double check and see once it’s opened up.
June 22, 2013 @ 2:32 pm
Add Jerry Clower to that list also. He was in the Navy. Faron Young also served. Some kid named Presley did too.
June 22, 2013 @ 7:11 pm
Slim Whitman…
June 22, 2013 @ 7:14 pm
http://www.slimenet.com/SlimBio.html
“…Slim joined the Navy and in 1943 Slim was assigned to the troop transport, U.S.S. Chilton, where he saw the war up close and personal in the South Pacific.”
June 22, 2013 @ 7:22 pm
I haven’t heard of Jason Eady before reading this article, having left most country music far behind as it began to suck so badly, but I was curious what a fellow from Texas would be translating in the Army. His own site and several interviews highlight his service as a translator, but notably don’t saw for what language. Then I came across what seems to be Eady’s resume. (https://www.elance.com/s/je_austin/). It was Arabic.
June 22, 2013 @ 9:06 pm
Earl Thomas Conley. Army.
June 23, 2013 @ 4:32 am
Craig Morgan/ Army
June 23, 2013 @ 4:59 am
The wilburn brothers, Ferlin husky, hawkshaw hawkins, they all served, as did many other real country artists.
November 11, 2013 @ 7:39 pm
John Prine was in the Army!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Prine
November 11, 2013 @ 9:50 pm
Sturgill Simpson served in the Navy after high school I believe
May 25, 2014 @ 11:26 am
God bless these veterans and all veterans.
May 25, 2014 @ 8:49 pm
Johnny paycheck-us navy
May 25, 2014 @ 10:34 pm
Interesting. It appears that there is more than one Eric on SCM…
December 18, 2014 @ 8:05 am
Both the Great Tompall Glaser and his brother Chuck served in the Army.
June 22, 2016 @ 4:08 pm
Box Car Willie/Air Force
December 28, 2016 @ 7:36 pm
David Frizzell served in the Air Force.
November 21, 2018 @ 5:54 pm
Did we forget Meryl Haggard? USAF?
September 16, 2019 @ 8:09 pm
One of my uncle’s talked about serving in the Navy with Chet Atkins in WWII. My uncle played hormonica. He said they played together when they could.
October 5, 2020 @ 8:02 pm
I don’t think Chet Atkins served in the military. He had bad case of asthma when he was young.
January 2, 2021 @ 6:30 pm
My father, who had a country band at the time, said Chet Atkins sat in with them one night when he was passing through on his way to report for duty. Now, maybe they turned him away when he got there because of health issues, I don’t know, but I have to believe that if your uncle says he was there, he was there. Just adding my bit of family lore.
October 5, 2020 @ 7:59 pm
I believe Freddy Hart was in the U.S.M.C.
January 23, 2022 @ 12:54 pm
I don’t know if he’s considered country or not, maybe country rock, but Michael Nesmith joined the Air Force before he was out of high achool. His post-Monkees solo career produced wonderful songs such as Some of Shelley’s Blues, Silver Moon and Moon Over the Rio Grande. They sound pretty country to me.