Al Ricketts, dedicated 15 years to the Stars and Stripes newspaper, beginning his career in 1952 and concluding in February 1968.
As the Entertainment Editor for the Pacific edition, he penned the popular column “On the Town,” bringing vibrant stories and insights to military readers across the region. You can read some of Al Ricketts famous “On The Town” columns below!
Al Ricketts started a campaign in the late 1950s, that quickly gained popularity, becoming known as the “Send Elvis to Iceland” campaign. It was a humorous campaign, suggesting that since Elvis Presley was being drafted, he should be sent to the remote, austere military base in Keflavik, Iceland, rather than Germany, where most American troops were stationed. In reality, Elvis was stationed in West Germany, not Iceland, during his active duty from 1958 to 1960. He never visited Iceland as part of his military service. Read some of those columns below!
During his tenure, Al had the privilege of meeting and interviewing numerous movie stars, capturing the glamour of the era through his unique perspective. Tragically, Al passed away at the age of 40 in January 1969 in Honolulu, leaving behind a legacy of journalistic excellence and cultural connection within the military community.
