Jimi Hendrix was not a soldier.
James Marshall `` Jimi '' Hendrix ( born Johnny Allen Hendrix ; November 27 , 1942 -- September 18 , 1970 ) was an American rock guitarist , singer , and songwriter . In 1961 , he enlisted in the U.S. Army and trained as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division ; he was granted an honorable discharge the following year .