Honorary Colonels
Some people known as "colonels" are actually recipients of honorary colonel ranks from a state governor and are not officers of the U.S. armed forces. In the 19th century the honorary colonels were military appointments and they still are nominally appointed to governor's staff, but without military rights or duties. Famous honorary colonels include Colonel Harland Sanders of KFC fame, a Kentucky colonel; Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley's manager, who received the honor from a Louisiana governor; and Edward M. House, known as Colonel House, a Texas honorary colonel and adviser to President Woodrow Wilson.
Read more about this topic: Colonel (United States)