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| Above, Nixon and Elvis, the most requested photograph from the National Archives. Photo by Ollie Adkins. |
Fifty years ago today, singer Elvis Presley went on a quest for a badge of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.
He first headed to his home in Bel Aire, California with Jerry Schilling and then to Washington, D.C. to meet with the deputy director at the Bureau. He was unsuccessful in getting the badge from the deputy director.
While on the plane, he wrote a letter to President Richard Nixon on airline stationery requesting a meeting with him.
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| Above, Nixon, Elvis and Egil Krogh, who described this photo his "Forrest Gump moment." Photo by Ollie Adkins. |
At first, Nixon aide Egil "Bud" Krogh thought he was being pranked when he was told by Dwight Chapin, "The King is here [at the White House]." Krogh checked his schedule and said there's no kings scheduled. He was then told that it was the "King of Rock 'n Roll".
After meeting Elvis, Krogh thought it was a unique opportunity for the President to meet Elvis and arranged the meeting that was approved by Chief of Staff H. R. Haldeman. In the memo okaying the meeting, Haldeman wrote, "You must be kidding."
Soon Elvis was escorted to the Oval Office with his meeting with Nixon.
Through Nixon, Elvis got his badge.
For more details on the historic meeting, go here.
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