Raquel Welch. Most were so drugged they could barely respond. We were thrilled to have Kaye and his entertainers in our area. "Live While You Can" A Tribute to . 13 Things You Probably Didn't Know About the USO During World War II Even prior to taking over as director of public information, Krause was the host of the Armed Forces Radio Saigon Program, Whats New at the USO? according to Veths letter. That Id been forbidden to go outside and was afraid Id be in trouble? There were five babies. It was 1967. 18 talking about this. After every performance he'd choose a volunteer to join him in a quick-draw contest. It had bare walls, dirt floors, low ceilings, and ragged fabric hanging to delineate separate areas. Enter your email address to subscribe to us and receive notifications of new posts by email. When I answered in French, her face lit up. USO and Veteran Connection - Sedona Seven Arches Live He described these programs as USO newsletters while Veths letter called Krause the voice from home for deployed service members. In Riverside, California a Negro USO was established to serve the March Field service population. Following his death in a military accident in 1964, she resumed her work with the USO. Bob Hope - Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Hey, I was young and inexperienced. They make everything by hand bow, quiver, and arrows. He pulled out a single arrow. In those years, the USO opened centers at Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Carson, Colorado; and Afghanistan. And besides, I dont know if Ill make it back. Our liaison officer had warned us not to go into the streets alone, but I was curious. One of the newer programs, called "USO in a Box," delivers program materials ranging from DVD players and videos to musical instruments to remote forward operating bases in Afghanistan. Moreover, they worked to merge black and white USOs into one desegregated unit. In an effort to stop the violence in the region a Multinational Force of peacekeepers composed largely of U.S., Italian and French armed service members was created and sent to the region to attempt a restoration of order. Vietnam, mejor que Viet Nam | Buen Idioma Unfortunately, he died a week later as a result of physical exhaustion from his tour. Stars such as Marlene Dietrich, Judy Garland, Betty Grable and Rita Hayworth had traveled over a million miles. My first week here ah got malaria out there in the Delta, so they put me in the hospital. I had no answer. A March 1969 article in the Detroit News reported, Mrs. Hope began taking his show on the road after the United States entered World War II and the United Service Organization (USO) started sending Hollywood and radio entertainers to perform for military audiences at bases in North Africa, Europe and the South Pacific. They are the unsung heroes. Krause also would be their escort during their time overseas, he said. "[35] By the end of the war, over 113,000 American USO volunteers were working at 294 centers at home and abroad. The show was closing, so he contacted someone he knew in the State Department. On Patrol caught up with Pete Peterson to find out how the U.S.-Vietnam relationship has progressed since the normalization of ties in 1995. "[40], The visits by the stars meant a lot to the men and women in Vietnam. List of entertainers who performed for American troops in Vietnam, Soapography, "Rick Springfield and Kimberly McCullough", aired June 16, 2007, on SOAPnet, "List of entertainers who performed for American troops in Vietnam", Learn how and when to remove this template message, Denise Perrier (African American Female Entertainers in Vietnam), The Ralph Kimbrough and Dee Steele Show (1969), On the Road: USO Shows: Bob Hope and American Variety (Library of Congress), Bob Hope's Overseas Christmas Tours: Around the World with the Troops 19411972 (1980)(TV) (IMDb.com), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_entertainers_who_performed_for_American_troops_in_Vietnam&oldid=1126390848, Quintessence 1970 (Clive and Stanley Romney, Sheryl Albiston, Jack McDonald, Ruth Sorensen), This page was last edited on 9 December 2022, at 02:50. Hudson was Commanding Officer (contracted Major in USA) for First Company Commander for first and Second and Battalion for the New Iraq Army training Program. We were treated like visiting royalty wherever we went. [53], The USO hosts baby showers for military parents-to-be. Hope was among the first to say yes. The 23 centers in Vietnam and Thailand served as many as a million service members a month, and the USO presented more than 5,000 performances during the Vietnam War featuring stars such as John Wayne, Ann-Margret, Sammy Davis Jr., Raymond Burr, Phyllis Diller, Martha Raye, Joey Heatherton, Wayne Newton, Jayne Mansfield, Redd Foxx, Rosey Grier, Anita Bryant, Nancy Sinatra, Jimmy Hawkins, Jimmy Boyd, Lola Falana, George Peppard and Bob Hope. Soons ah could walk they sent me back out but ah got malaria again so ah ended up in the hospital. The Real WOMAN OF THE YEAR", "Terrie Maxine Frankel: Digital Collection: Veterans History Project (Library of Congress)", "Launch your own missile from Battleship New Jersey: Warship Museum Prepares New 'Interactive' Combat Control Center", "Robert J Hudson, Master Sergeant USMC Retired. Steve Martin. Ahm sick, maam. Singer-actress-dancer Ann Miller described performing for badly wounded soldiers. Bob Hope Ann Margret 1968 USO - YouTube She was scrapped in 1967. We traveled in planes and helicopters of all sizes and shapes. His final Christmas show was during Operation Desert Shield in 1990. Their eyes looked like buttons on a stuffed toy. With 40 percent of America's forces overseas and despite the Vietnam War's most dangerous moments, a total of 5,559 USO performances were staged. While local and volunteer talent might be found on the bill, stars of huge magnitude soon gravitated to the events. USO camp shows were designed in their export to remind soldiers of home." They might still be poisonous.. They were playing in a dirt-covered yard, surrounded by a rickety bamboo fence. During the war, almost every town in the United States set up a USO centerthere were more than 3,000 in all, staffed by 1.5 million volunteers. Danny was okay, with his stories and jokes, but after all, we knew what American men looked like. I hoped my visit had given him a moment of comfort. Chico, whose "shoot the keys" piano solos were the heart of his act, often had to do without a piano at all. | Bob Hope and entire troupe on . Its been more than 20 years since Forrest Gump debuted on the silver screen and nearly a generation later, its characters still resonate with todays service members. Thats what the French called the non-Vietnamese. Where are you from, soldier? I asked, as per instructions. A poignant part of the radio show was USO Mail Call. Jay Fultz, author of a biography of Reed, states that soldiers "often wrote to her as if to a sister or the girl next door, confiding moments of homesickness, loneliness, privation and anxiety. It happens sometimes.. Bob Hope was an early and familiar face on the USO circuit during World War II and Vietnam; other celebrities include Steve Martin, Gary Sinise with his Lt. Dan Band . Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Krause trudged from one end of Vietnam to another by Jeep and helicopter to photograph GIs for hometown newspapers and to deliver the thousands of gifts and letters sent through the USO.. [19] Others, such as Al Jolson, the first entertainer to go overseas in World War II, contracted malaria, resulting in the loss of his lung, cutting short his tour. Over the last seven decades, some of the countrys best performers have taken the USO stage to entertain troops with music, dancing, and comedy routines. None moved. Actor George Raft stated at the beginning of the war, "Now it's going to be up to us to send to the men here and abroad real, living entertainment, the songs, the dances, and the laughs they had back home."[9]. The USO is perhaps best known for holding concerts, stand-up comedy nights and other special events all around the globe with performances by the popular entertainers of the day. God bless America! Provide food and supplies to veterans at The Veterans Site for free! "[4] Opera singer Lily Pons, after she had performed a "serious" opera song to troops in Burma, "an applause erupted that stunned even the most seasoned performers." The Bob Hope Show, Christmas In Vietnam - Archive "USO" redirects here. I was always told to hide under the bed during a raid, but I couldntall my possessions were stored under my bed. We were quickly herded onto military buses for the drive to our hotel, the Meyerkord. For the fallen: Performers and Artists killed during World War II [13] In one such instance in 1943, a plane carrying a USO troupe crashed outside Lisbon, killing singer and actress Tamara Drasin, and severely injuring Broadway singer Jane Froman. It was only thirty dollars and change. But you will., He smiled. Roosevelt said he wanted "these private organizations to handle the on-leave recreation of the men in the armed forces." Bob Hope. Colonel Robert Heinl: The Collapse of the Armed Forces (1971) - Vietnam War In 1988, a car bomb targeted the USO club in Naples, which killed five people including a U.S. Navy officer. That day we gave two shows, the last at twilight. I perform in a show for the American soldiers. Maam? he wailed, gripping my hand with surprising strength. You bet. Another movie was planned in 1950 but never made. I know what these men did for their country and I always have time for 'my gentlemen. What were they doing there, a few hundred feet from our hotel? Hope for America: Performers, Politics and Pop Culture Whats New at the USO? also featured celebrity interviews. This Is The Untold Story of a USO Icon's Vietnam War Experience But the organization became mostly known for its live performances called Camp Shows, through which the entertainment industry helped boost the morale of its servicemen and women. Since 2008, the USO has shipped more than 2,000 kits to places like Afghanistan, Iraq, Egypt, and others. When no one was looking I left our hotel, ran to the fence, and stopped at a closed gate. These included famous entertainers such as s Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Frank Sinatra, and Marlene Dietrich, to name but a few. was launched. Each bed held a wounded soldier. The non-profit began in 1941, in partnership with the Department of War, and then later with the Department of Defense. In 1990, Martin and his wife visited troops in Saudi Arabia at the beginning of the Gulf War. DAR and the Colquitt County Arts Center are collaborating to produce a USO show as a tribute to Vietnam veterans. John Wayne. You may look, the nun said, standing alongside one of the cribs. What was that? I asked the nearest orderly. Thankfully, Laurel and Hardy's Driver's License sketch needed only a few simple props. All Rights Reserved. We do our best. Although the book's publishing representative for the signing event would not allow her to sign anything other than her book, the veteran's wife recalls: She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes, and she said, 'This is one of my gentlemen from Viet Nam and I most certainly will sign his photo. USO promotional literature stated its goals: The story of USO camp shows belongs to the American people, for it was their contribution that made it possible. Their home." Two wore soiled cloth diapers; three were naked. They were brought together under one umbrella to support U.S. troops, as opposed to operating independently as some had done during the First World War. Since its controversial beginnings, feelings toward the Vietnam Veterans Memorial have changed drastically. Hispanic-American soldiers were entertained by artists such as Prez Prado's Show featuring Evita Muoz as his invited mambo dancer. Was it because Id broken the rules? Those children out there, she said, indicating the toddlers in the yard, are the older ones. The Andrews Sisters were a popular singing group of the swing and boogie-woogie music eras. Hugh OBrien, famous as TVs Wyatt Earp, was the star of a USO tour in Vietnam. They have aired WWE RAW from Afghanistan and Iraq every Christmas in the United States in a pre-taped show from the combat zone. The USO was officially created on February 4, 1941, with one of the first centers opening on May 28 at the Charleston Navy Yard. Text STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Average performers were paid $100 a week; top stars were paid $10 a day because their wealth let them contribute more of their talents. The show was fantastic, but the escape the Bob Hope tour provided us in expectation for days before, and after, helped us keep in touch with what we were there for God, Country, apple pie and Ann-Margret! During the Vietnam War, Hope produced a number of high-rated television specials and began to perceive that the U.S. media had given him a broad endorsement to continue on his work in Vietnam. A middle-aged staff sergeant was standing near the crossbow. Every night we play a different place.[4]. (LogOut/ Within five months 36 overseas units had been sent within the Americas, the United Kingdom, and Australia, and during 1942 1,000 performed as part of 70 units. "[56][57] According to Hope biographer William Faith, his reputation has become ingrained in the "American consciousness" because he had flown millions of miles to entertain G.I.s during both wartime and peace. To support troops participating in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, USO centers opened in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar. Celebrities in Hollywood that have donated their time and talents helping our troops and USO both in US & overseas. Today, she claims that "veterans were still stopping her and thanking her for visiting Vietnam over 30 years later."[38]. The sisters performed extensively for troops of the Allied forces during World War II, frequently singing their hit song, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, as part of their USO performances. They provided soldiers a place to eat, write a letter back home, play . USO Camp Shows, Inc. began in October 1941,[12] and by that fall and winter 186 military theaters existed in the United States. "[25], African-American women scrambled to rally the community around the soldiers and create programs for them. USO tours to the front lines include a diverse group of entertainers, such as in the 2018 USO Chairman's Tour, which featured actors Milo Ventimiglia . Mind if I join you?. entertainers toured the bases in Vit Nam to support the troops. I hate the sight of blood. Mix with the guys. I had trouble breathing in the damp, sticky, humid air. We ate a somber dinner in the Officers Club; then went to the non-coms club to socialize with the men. New York. I smiled, thinking of home. One recognition came in the form of a nomination by Navy Rear Adm. Kenneth L. Veth, commander of U.S. The live events were basically variety shows that featured combinations of singers, comedians, actors, bands, and more. Entertaining Vietnam Trailer - YouTube I just fell apart and I think the shock of seeing those men with their arms and legs blown off it was just frightening. Several orderlies were running towards a bed where a man thrashed and screamed like an animal being slaughtered. The USO has hosted more than 8.1 million center celebrity visits across the world. Our blog posts feature short pieces that cover a wide range of opinion editorials, literary reviews, and profiles on veteran artists and writers. Founded during World War II, the USO sought to be the GI's "home away from home" and began a tradition of entertaining the troops and providing social facilities. He did it allsing, dance, create music and crack wise. President Bill Clinton named Hope an Honorary Veteran in 1997, to which Hope said, Ive been given many awards in my lifetime but to be numbered among the men and women I admire most is the greatest honor I have ever received.. List of entertainers who performed for American troops in Vietnam Soon after his Christmas show in Saigon in 1967, he learned that the Viet Cong had planned to launch an attack at the hotel Hope's troupe was staying at, missing them by ten minutes. The Army, noted the New York Times, "feels this is not good for morale as it implies that there are no showers or other comforts for soldiers in military camps." Owned and operated by CharityUSA.com, LLC. He turned away and closed his eyes. To this day I cannot understand why I didnt tell the other performers in our company. These stars performed under some extremely trying conditions, as the weather was brutally hot and many of the camps were not equipped to host theatrical performances. Looking out the window, I spotted the wreckage of several airplanes. Over the last seven decades, some of the country's best performers have taken the USO stage to entertain troops with music, dancing, and comedy routines. No expression. See this? Download our app to find events, locations and programs near you. The following year the show was made into a film by the same title, again starring Ronald Reagan. The book tells the story of 16 women who served as nurses, USO performers, and soldiers in the . This request brought together six civilian organizations: the Salvation Army, YMCA, Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), National Catholic Community Service, National Travelers Aid Association and the National Jewish Welfare Board. He remembered a "Bob Hope Follies" USO show, which included actress Ann-Margret, Miss America, football star Rosey Grier, and others. The USO was in Vietnam before the first troops arrived, having opened a club in Saigon in April 1963 2. In 2011, the USO was awarded the National Medal of Arts. 32 Vintage USO Photos Of Military Entertainment Starting With WW2 Harrisburg U.S.O., Penn Station, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Entrance View I.Gottscho-Schleisner, Inc., photographer, Sept. 3, 1943. From June 8 to 11, 2009, TV personality Stephen Colbert traveled to Iraq to film his show The Colbert Report for four days in a USO sponsored event. James P. 'Bull' Durham: True Balladeer of the Vietnam War - HistoryNet The Guinness Book of Records called him the most honored entertainer ever. I tried to stick it out, but I was too upset. Just 10 days after Al Jolson returned from entertaining troops in Korea, he agreed with RKO producers to star in a new movie, Stars and Stripes for Ever, about a USO troupe in the South Pacific during World War II. According to movie historian Steven Cohan, "most of all in taking home on the road, it equated the nation with showbiz. I spotted one bed that looked intact. A month later, after stops at Air Force bases in Maryland and San Diego and refueling in Taipei, we arrived at Tan Son Nhut airport near Saigon. "[4], Author Joeie Dee pointed out that "for women entertainers, traveling with the USO made it possible to be patriots and adventurers as well as professionals." "[57] After WWII was declared over, the USO had sent out an "impassioned bulletin" asking entertainers not to abandon the GIs now that the war was over. Veterans and their families pay nothing for our services, and they never will. Just another guy thinks hes back in combat. But I really felt she was like a girl from back home." You can quote me as saying that we should use entertainment as an essential industry so long as it's for the boys in service. Ahm from Kentucky. He stopped. Oblivious. Be the first to learn about news, service member stories and fundraising updates from USO. He was skinny, with wispy red hair, translucent white skin covered with freckles, pale green eyes. It is decorated with a tiger and embroidered with the words, To Patty. Case said these types of flags, often seen during the Vietnam era, were given as tokens of recognition and thanks. This Vietnam War Entertainers Within the United States, the number is "significantly higher. Patricia Krause. Our History USO San Diego The best known was the Bob Hope Shows, but few of us were ever actually able to attend one of his Christmas Specials. Itincluded comedians Chico Marx, Laurel and Hardy, singer Jane Pickens, dancer Ray Bolger, and actor John Garfield, who acted as master of ceremonies. Im looking for information on a USO entertainer, Judy Larson,. Until fall 1944 overseas units contained five performers or fewer; The Barretts of Wimpole Street, using local theaters in France and Italy, was the first to use an entire theater company, including scenery. Singer and actress Connie Stevens remembered her 1969 tour with Bob Hope, when she decided to go despite the fact she had two children both under the age of two. Iraq war 2003 - present. Entertainers are Bob Hope, Les Brown and orchestra, Earl Wilson, Phil Crosby, Racquel Welch, Barbara McNair, Elaine Dunn, and Madeline Hartog-Bel (Miss World). I was a Green Beret, he said. When I looked around, I saw that many of our group had left. Presumably the Nazis appreciated Hope's value, since they thrice bombed towns while the comic was there."[21]. The United Service Organizations Inc. ( USO) is an American nonprofit-charitable corporation that provides live entertainment, such as comedians, actors and musicians, social facilities, and other programs to members of the United States Armed Forces and their families. Please take a moment to let our troops know how much we appreciate their service and sacrifice. Id like to show you something.. The USO was in Vietnam before the first combat troops arrived, with the first USO club opened in Saigon in April 1963. Berlin, who had written and produced the similar Yip, Yip, Yaphank during World War I, took the entire 165-person cast on tour in Europe in 1942, raising nearly $10million for the Army Emergency Relief Fund. Fifteen or sixteen, at best. Sit on their beds. Her name? She scored a hit with the 1966 song, These Boots Are Made For Walkin. 10. I was horrified. USO centers in combat zones provide free phone calls home and internet access to service members through its private telephone network and high-speed internet. The comedian and actor participated in 57 USO tours, visiting military members during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the first Gulf War. She was 78. "[27] Edward Skvarna remembers 1943, when he met Donna Reed at a USO canteen and asked her to dance. Do I have to? I asked our liaison officer. I emptied my purse and gave her all the money I had. Krause would then offer to send copies of letters as well as names and addresses to service members who would otherwise go for weeks without a single postcard. Jane Russell. Vintage USO photos of celebrities entertaining the troops Similarly, Ann-Margret during a book signing was approached by a veteran who asked her to sign a photo he took of her performing in Vietnam. Bob Hope - 1971 USO Show at Long Binh, Vietnam | Military.com Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. [19][13] The This Is The Army stage production toured worldwide until it closed in October 1945 in Honolulu. Do you have a family? I asked, trying to stick to the suggested subjects. This Is The Untold Story of a USO Icon's Vietnam War Experience By Jean-Marie Bralley The annals of wartime history are illuminated by the lives of men and women whose deeds of devotion, courage, and sacrifice have been called heroic. Thank you. Let's see how fast you can draw a six-shooter!" It was 1967. She did forty-eight shows for "broken soldiers," who were mostly lying on stretchers in the lobbies of hotels, watching as she entertained them. Ill be careful, I said, fighting back tears. The following entertainers performed for U.S. military personnel and their allies in the combat theatre during the Vietnam War (19591975). Message & data rates may apply. While there, she resumed work with the Red Cross for which she had worked before joining the USO in the 1950s. Two kids. No matter her official title, Krause did not spare herself in her work, pouring her heart and soul into her service of the troops. This way, please, the nun said. The Stars Came Out for the 1st Cavalry in Vietnam 20002023 The Veterans Site and GreaterGood. The USO relies on your support to help service members and their families. The first USO shows of the war began in the Caribbean in November 1941. "[57], War correspondent Quentin Reynolds wrote in 1943, "He and his troupe would do 300 miles in a jeep, and give four shows One of the generals said Hope was a first rate military target since he was worth a division; that that's about 15,000 men. He removed the crossbow and quiver from the wall. in the NIATP (New Iraqi Army Training Program) under Vinnell Corporation, Program Director Lieutenant General George Allen Crocker (when meeting Mr Willis)", "How the USO Helps Service Members and Their Families (Podcast)", "USO Spreads Cheer to Military Serving Around the Globe This Holiday Season", "USO supports deployed Soldiers in Poland with care packages", "Troops Returning Home from Deployment to Quarantines Find Support in the USO", "USO center opens at Naval Submarine Base in Groton", "Bob Hope: First and only honorary veteran of the Armed Forces", Big Picture: United Service Organization (USO): Wherever They Go, USO Camp Shows publicity records, 19411955, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. Four hundred Marines stationed in Beirut attended the show.[45]. Three entertainers killed & three wounded in the war It's heartbreaking.[4]. I didnt know whether to be impressed or to feel sorry for him. Our USO troupe consisted of thirteen singer/dancer/actors, as well as four musicians. Afghanistan and Iraq Celebrities visiting this USO included Clarence Muse and the Mantan Moreland & Ben Carter duo.[29]. Heres a look at 10 of the greatest performers to grace the USO stage. The USO is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the troops by providing morale, welfare and recreation-type services to our men and women in uniform; G.I.s home away from home., Miss America USO Show in 1/9th helicopter hanger at Phuoc VinhSusan Anton (3rd from left), Much of the entertainment in Vietnam was provided by Filipino house bands; they played mainly in EM and Officer clubs.Photo courtesy of Jordan Green, Tagged as bob hope uso show, filipino house bands, http www youtube, morale welfare and recreation, Phuoc Vinh, uso show 1970 in phuoc vinh, uso show susan anton. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. According to war historian Paul Edwards, between 1952 and 1953, not a day went by without the USO providing services somewhere in Korea. Korean War and Vietnam War In 1947, two years after the end of World War II, the USO's future seemed uncertain. The United Service Organizations, popularly known as the USO, was incorporated in New York on February 4,1941, to provide recreational opportunities and resources for members of the U.S. Armed Forces on leave. The guy had a quiet, reflective energy that struck me as unusual in a non-com officer. We thumped and jittered over huge potholes and uneven terrain that served as a runway. Author Linda Granfield in describing the show, writes, "For two hours, the men could forget they were soldiers at war. Soldier Shows, which troops often experienced actors and musicians organized and held their own performances, were common. I like bows and arrows, I said. Who were these children? By 1946, hostesses had served more than two thousand soldiers a day while also providing facilities for the wounded and convalescent who were on leave. Special Services productions grew in number as replacement.[13]. But when you do it, you do it. The GIs roared with laughter. Every day, Americas service members selflessly put their lives on the line to keep us safe and free. Stared. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. A Senate resolution declared him "a part of American folklore." USO snack bars sold cigarettes to troops, but didn't sell liquor. "[58], As a result of his non-stop entertainment to both the civilian population and the military, he received numerous other honors over the years: a C-17 Air Force plane was named The Spirit of Bob Hope; a naval vessel was named the USNS Bob Hope; and streets, schools, hospitals, and a golf tournament were also named in his honor.