Famous Veterans Celebrating Birthdays Today (October 17th):

Famous Veterans Born October 17, 1941:

Earl Thomas Conley – American country music singer-songwriter – (Army) – was offered a scholarship to an art school, but rejected it in favor of joining the U.S. Army. While in the Army, Conley became a member of a Christian-influenced trio, where his musical talent and vocal ability first began. Conley then decided to consider performing as a serious career option. He shifted more deeply into the classic country sounds of artists such as Merle Haggard and George Jones. During this period he first tried his hand at songwriting. In 1968, after his discharge from the Army, Conley began commuting from Dayton to Nashville. In 1973 while in Nashville, Conley met Dick Heard, who produced country music singer Mel Street. This meeting eventually led to the Conley-Heard collaboration on the song “Smokey Mountain Memories,” which made the top 10 for Street. After being honorably discharged from the military, he began playing in clubs in Nashville, Tennessee, at night, supporting himself working blue-collar jobs during the day. – Died: April 10, 2019

Famous Veterans Born October 17, 1938:

Evel Knievel – Daredevil – (Army) – Died: November 30, 2007

Famous Veterans Born October 17, 1921:

Tom Poston – Television, Broadway and Movie Actor: George Utley on Newhart – (Army Air Forces – accepted to officer candidate school and then graduating from flight training, Poston served as a pilot in the European Theater in World War II; his aircraft dropped paratroopers for the Normandy invasion. Poston served in North Africa, Italy, France, and England. After his discharge, he began studying acting in New York City, graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Here’s a little bit of trivia for your entertainment buffs: Poston was good friends with Bob Newhart (also on the list of Famous Veterans).  Poston was married 4 times.  His 4th wife was Suzanne Pleshette who played Bob Newhart’s wife on The Bob Newhart Show. Poston, though not Jewish, is interred in the Jewish Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery alongside Suzanne Pleshette (who was Jewish) – Died: April 30, 2007