On his birthday, LIFE.com presents a series of photos -- most of which never ran in LIFE -- capturing the moment in 1960 when Elvis Presley was poised to remind everyone that, despite two years of taking orders in the Army, he was ready to again be the King.
Not originally published in LIFE. Elvis Presley at Fort Dix, New Jersey, shortly before his discharge from the U.S. Army, March 1960. (Al Fenn—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)
Not originally published in LIFE. Elvis Presley at Fort Dix, New Jersey, shortly before his discharge from the U.S. Army, March 1960. (Al Fenn—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)