Conway Twitty (Musician)

b. 1 Sep 1933 – d. 5 Jun 1993
US Army (1954-1956)

Harold Lloyd Jenkins (AKA Conway Twitty) was first drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies after high school before being drafted once again into the US Army. While stationed in Japan, he kept both his dreams alive by forming a band and playing on the local Army baseball team. His first band, the Fuji Mountain Boys represented their Yokohama unit and won the 1954 All-Army Talent Competition. Johnny Eubanks, Gene Jones, Craig Reemes and Harold changed the band’s name after their big win to The Cimarrons. They were later joined by Nick Cristiano on drums and trumpet and the quintet frequently played for military service clubs around Japan.

The unit was attached to the Armed Forces Radio Service in Tokyo and recorded a series of programs for the Far-East Radio Network. They were awarded the “Best Instrumental Group” of the Far East Command. 

After returning from his deployment in Japan, Harold didn’t think his musical service to his country would translate into anything substantial. After discovering rock-n-roll via Elvis, Harold decided to take his, music career seriously and, at the encouragement of his manager Don Seat, became the country music legend we all know as Conway Twitty.

Unfortunately Conway's military records are among those that were lost in a fire... so I can't find any documents of his service. HOWEVER, his Army Buddy Gene Jones can vouch for the time they spent together in Japan. Head on over to his page for a first-hand account.