[37], In addition, the USO operated centers at major U.S. airports to provide a lounge and place to sleep for American servicemen between their flights. This page is not available in other languages. She was 78. Photo: Wikimedia Commons There was a noticeable darkening of mood from everyone, soldier and performer alike. 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. Jane Russell. Compared with other wars, there weren't as many Hollywood stars and personalities signing up with the USO to entertain the troops in Vietnam. Our editors are based all over the country and includes college professors, professional authors, veterans advocates, and clinicians. No matter her official title, Krause did not spare herself in her work, pouring her heart and soul into her service of the troops. Her self-sacrificing, tireless devotion did not go unnoticed by the military. This page was last edited on 7 April 2023, at 11:05. "USO" redirects here. 10. A few days later we flew to an isolated base on a mountaintop in the Central Highlands. "[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." 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. Bob Hope and entire troupe on . She held the gate open for me to leave. 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. Mr. Willis visited military bases in Iraq during his visit in Iraq.[47]. Moreover, they worked to merge black and white USOs into one desegregated unit. In the Second World War, Rooney served with special services in the U.S. Army for nearly two years, earning a Bronze Star Medal. 3. It happens sometimes.. 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. [38], When providing entertainment, the USO did its best to attract known stars from back home to help relieve the stresses of war. Maam? This Is The Untold Story of a USO Icon's Vietnam War Experience SIGNED BY McCAIN, SAIGON MENU STORY - 3 MINUTES LONG. It was given to you by a Montagnard chief.. Author Linda Granfield in describing the show, writes, "For two hours, the men could forget they were soldiers at war. She seemed to be omnipresent, said Michael Case, the USOs senior digital archivist. (LogOut/ There were no toys, no coloring books, absolutely nothing. One service member recalled, "Hope was funny, treating hordes of soldiers to roars of laughter. Celebrity waiters. Presumably the Nazis appreciated Hope's value, since they thrice bombed towns while the comic was there."[21]. Please consider spending some time navigating our site and reading and seeing the fine work of veterans and their families from around the globe. John Benning Chapter, Daughters of . '[41], In NovemberDecember 1968 the Sig Sakowitz troop from Chicago performed over 36 shows in South Vietnam with the USO in: Pleiku, Dalat, Danang, Cam Ran Bay, Phu Bai, Phu Loy, Hue, Natrang, Tan Son Nhut Airbase, Saigon and places in the boonies known only to military intelligence and the lonely soldiers yearning for a taste of home. "[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. USO in Vietnam | My Vietnam Experience - usastruck.com Vietnam historian James Westheider noted that the USO "tried to bring a little America to Vietnam." Several orderlies were running towards a bed where a man thrashed and screamed like an animal being slaughtered. And during his 1993 televised birthday celebration, when he turned 90, General Colin Powell saluted Hope "for his tireless USO trouping", which was followed by onstage tributes from all branches of the armed forces. Clip from Bob Hope USO tour Cu Chi Vietnam 1968.DVD series available at Time/Life. Just another guy thinks hes back in combat. Chico, whose "shoot the keys" piano solos were the heart of his act, often had to do without a piano at all. [52] During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization assembled thousands of care packages for troops in mandatory 14-day quarantine en-route home. Wait a minute, he said. MEAs Guide to Short Fiction and Nonfiction, AS YOU WERE: THE MILITARY REVIEW, Vol. Veterans have recalled many of the USOs events, sometimes in vivid detail: On that cold, overcast day, there were more than five thousand troops in the audience. Thank you for coming today, she said, grasping my hands in hers. We went on board and entered a depressingly large ward. The USO: a GI's "home away from home" since 1941 - Warhawk Air Museum The USO strengthens America's military service members by keeping them connected to family, home, and country, throughout their service to the nation. Hispanic-American soldiers were entertained by artists such as Prez Prado's Show featuring Evita Muoz as his invited mambo dancer. The guy had a quiet, reflective energy that struck me as unusual in a non-com officer. Vietnam, mejor que Viet Nam | Buen Idioma 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. 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. Its a highly effective weapon. He paused, as if weighing the crossbow in his hands, Here, he said, handing it me. I smiled and spoke to a few. I saw two rows of baby cribs, perhaps nine or ten. And he was right at home performing in front of the troops. I wondered if theyd enjoyed the narrow, iron-framed beds festooned with mosquito netting, soggy mattresses, and creaky ceiling fans. Krause also would be their escort during their time overseas, he said. It was only thirty dollars and change. "[9] An article in Look magazine at the time, stated, "For the little time the show lasts, the men are taken straight to the familiar Main Street that is the goal of every fighting American far away from home." Between 1941 and 1947, the USO hosted over 400,000 Camp Shows with 7,000 volunteer entertainers that included Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Humphrey Bogart, Fred Astaire, James Cagney, Jack Benny, and many more. We thumped and jittered over huge potholes and uneven terrain that served as a runway. Hope, of course, was one of the biggest stars involved. Anybody who has been there would insist on it. Take good care of it. Where are you from? I asked, the requisite opening question. Hell, you should have seen how happy the G.I.s were when they heard the ballplayers were coming over. 18 talking about this. [15][16] He had already been active back home selling war bonds, and donated $100,000 to the USO. Perspective | Men weren't the only heroes of the Vietnam War The Bob Hope Show, Christmas In Vietnam - Archive There were 23 centers set up in Vietnam, which serviced a million members a month. Can you help me? How long have you been over here?, Several years, he said. Each bed held a wounded soldier. Do I have to? I asked our liaison officer. Thank you. Whats New at the USO? also featured celebrity interviews. As reported by the USO, the unpaid volunteer to paid employee ratio overseas is 20 to 1. None looked up. Heres a look at 10 of the greatest performers to grace the USO stage. Danny was okay, with his stories and jokes, but after all, we knew what American men looked like. The USO provides a variety of programs and services, including orientation programs, family events, free Internet and e-mail access, free drinks and snacks, free phone calls home and recreation services. Shows were also performed with comedian Joey Bishop of the Rat Pack. As a way to thank United States troops for their service, the United Service Organizations (USO) plans a variety of events to entertain soldiers overseas. Singer-actress-dancer Ann Miller described performing for badly wounded soldiers. Patricia Krause traveled to the front lines and to remote locations to deliver care packages of food and toiletries to service members. 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. Performers and writers from throughout the army were recruited for the production; they remained soldiers and continued drills. Patricia Krause was the host of the Armed Forces Radio Saigon Program, Whats New at the USO? during the Vietnam War. I emptied my purse and gave her all the money I had. And there were the well-known free coffee and doughnuts. In 1988, a car bomb targeted the USO club in Naples, which killed five people including a U.S. Navy officer. The 10 Greatest USO Performers. Two wore soiled cloth diapers; three were naked. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Its tough on them when youre away so long. Some looked emaciated. While there, she resumed work with the Red Cross for which she had worked before joining the USO in the 1950s. God bless America! I lived with a tribe of Montagnards for several months. Bob Hope Ann Margret 1968 USO - YouTube The USO has provided services for the annual "Tribute to the Troops" special of World Wrestling Entertainment. 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. I sat in a quiet corner, sipping a coke. This Vietnam War Entertainers . They been sending me back and forth for almost a year. 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. United Service Organizations (USO) - Veteran.com Fifteen or sixteen, at best. 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. Celebrities in Hollywood that have donated their time and talents helping our troops and USO both in US & overseas. Two long rows of folding cots ranged down both sides. He remembered a "Bob Hope Follies" USO show, which included actress Ann-Margret, Miss America, football star Rosey Grier, and others. The non-profit began in 1941, in partnership with the Department of War, and then later with the Department of Defense. (LogOut/ I must have passed inspection, since he went on talking. Haunted by Vietnam: Three Weeks in the USO - Military Experience & the Arts But you will., He smiled. Today, she claims that "veterans were still stopping her and thanking her for visiting Vietnam over 30 years later."[38]. "[39], But for GIs who saw the show, it was worth it: "We turned to watch Ann perform, and for about two minutes of American beauty, the war was forgotten. [35]:51. Krause additionally received less formal acknowledgement of her work. Four hundred Marines stationed in Beirut attended the show.[45]. Our liaison officer had warned us not to go into the streets alone, but I was curious. Please support The Veterans Site by adding us to your ad blockers whitelist ads help us to provide food and supplies to veterans. Estimates were that more than 161million servicemen and women, in the U.S. and abroad, were entertained. 13 Things You Probably Didn't Know About the USO During World War II Text STOP to opt out, HELP for help. My first impression of Vietnam was hot, hot, hot! 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]. Be friendly.. Sin embargo, es posible encontrar en los medios de comunicacin de Cuba ejemplos como los siguientes: Realizar Morales Ojeda visita oficial a China, Viet Nam y Laos. He described these programs as USO newsletters while Veths letter called Krause the voice from home for deployed service members. USO centers number more than 160 around the world. Scholars debate about when the Vietnam War really began and in many ways it has never ended. The Military Order of the Purple Heart notes that "his contributions to the USO are well known: they are legend. The USO relies on your support to help service members and their families. DAR and the Colquitt County Arts Center are collaborating to produce a USO show as a tribute to Vietnam veterans. Mix with the guys. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Message & data rates may apply. Funds from the sale of film rights for a story about the New York Canteen went toward providing USO tours of shows for overseas troops.[14]. Kerry later wrote, "The visions of Ann Margret and Miss America and all the other titillating personalities who would have made us feel so at home hung around us for a while until we saw three Chinook helicopters take off from the field and presumed that our dreams had gone with them. Suddenly he reached out and grabbed my hand. 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. Okay, soldier, come up on the stage. When I looked around, I saw that many of our group had left. I had never seen anything so pitiable. Who were these children? The live events were basically variety shows that featured combinations of singers, comedians, actors, bands, and more. You try to help them, try to sing and dance. Despite the death of LaVerne in 1967, the Andrews Sisters remained active until disbanding in 1975. Mark Hopkins, Jr., taking his last name and moving to the San Miguel military base in the Philippines. Afghanistan and Iraq The non-lethal ends of the arrows were fitted with pieces of bamboo. The Andrews Sisters The Andrews Sisters were a popular singing group of the swing and boogie-woogie music eras. was launched. Looking out the window, I spotted the wreckage of several airplanes. Case said Krause was also the host of the less frequent television show of the same name. Where are you from, soldier? I asked, as per instructions. "[4] Afterwards, Miller described the experience: We went from ward to ward to ward, singing and dancing and trying to boost the morale of these men. Id like that, I said. 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. I met her in Nha Trang in 67. The USO has a paid staff of approximately 800. [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. Seemed to be studying me. Sit on their beds. This runway is actually too short for this type of plane, our liaison officer said. Instead, Martin and his wife met with service members and signed autographs. Williams was known for his role in the film "Good Morning, Vietnam . Krause, along with actress and entertainer Martha Raye, were also awarded the special distinction of honorary Green Berets as a thank you for the effort they made to visit Special Forces soldiers at far-flung forward operating bases and outposts, Case said. 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. As an actor, Rooney appeared in over 300 films, his career spanning from the late 1930s until he passed away in 2014. I had to excuse myself from the rest of the visit. 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. In the early days, Hollywood was eager to show its patriotism, and many celebrities joined the ranks of USO entertainers. The book tells the story of 16 women who served as nurses, USO performers, and soldiers in the . The best known was the Bob Hope Shows, but few of us were ever actually able to attend one of his Christmas Specials. See this? Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Suddenly I heard shouting from halfway down the ward. The tip is dipped in poison, in case the enemy is still alive. She later wrote in a letter, "Every woman back home wears a halo now, and those who represent her had better keep theirs on, too. You may look, the nun said, standing alongside one of the cribs. According to movie historian Steven Cohan, "most of all in taking home on the road, it equated the nation with showbiz. She did forty-eight shows for "broken soldiers," who were mostly lying on stretchers in the lobbies of hotels, watching as she entertained them. Every day, Americas service members selflessly put their lives on the line to keep us safe and free. Robin Williams. God bless you, she said, leading me outdoors. A few children wandered around, aimlessly. As part of the multinational force the United States mobilized an expeditionary force composed of members of the United States Marine Corps and elements of the United States Sixth Fleet which operated out of the Mediterranean Sea. Our blog posts feature short pieces that cover a wide range of opinion editorials, literary reviews, and profiles on veteran artists and writers. Our USO troupe consisted of thirteen singer/dancer/actors, as well as four musicians. [53], The USO hosts baby showers for military parents-to-be. What were they doing there, a few hundred feet from our hotel? "[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. "[4] USO centers throughout the world recruited female volunteers to serve doughnuts, dance, and just talk with the troops. "I had never danced with a celebrity before, so I felt delighted, privileged even, to meet her. His final Christmas show was during Operation Desert Shield in 1990. Bob Hope - Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund "[28], Like much of American society and its World War II military, USOs were segregated. They might still be poisonous.. Many stars, both well-known and new, came to perform, including Bob Hope, Errol Flynn, Debbie Reynolds, Piper Laurie, Jane Russell, Paul Douglas, Terry Moore, Marilyn Monroe, Danny Kaye, Rory Calhoun, Mickey Rooney, Linda Coleman, Al Jolson and many others. Mostly he spoke about his life in Vietnam, his concern that the Viet Cong were more entrenched than ever, that we didnt seem to be winning the hearts and minds of the Vietnamese people. "It was not just the entertainment; it meant that they were not forgotten that far away from home," writes Westheider. List of entertainers who performed for American troops in Vietnam Tools The following entertainers performed for U.S. military personnel and their allies in the combat theatre during the Vietnam War (1959-1975) The Hondells October 1966 Bobby Rydell Roy Acuff (1970) Anna Maria Alberghetti Carroll Baker Madeleine Hartog-Bel Johnny Bench Polly Bergen She was the recipient of multiple certificates and awards of achievement and appreciation from military leaders and other groups. [44], Carrying on a tradition he had begun in World War II of spending Christmas with U.S. forces overseas, Bob Hope and his troupe of entertainers gave a show on board the battleship USSNew Jersey on December 24, 1983. USO Camp Shows, Inc. began in October 1941,[12] and by that fall and winter 186 military theaters existed in the United States. It is an important part in the life of your sons, your brothers, your husbands, and your sweethearts. Approx 3,000 American U.S.O. But when you do it, you do it. It takes two men: one to hold it while the other shoots. 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. Photo credit USO, On a lighter but still important point, Veth wrote about Krauses insistence on dressing femininely despite the less-than-ideal conditions in which she would find herself. [46] He was always treated as "an asset to the U.S. Government with his willingness to entertain whenever they needed him. He removed the crossbow and quiver from the wall. 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 . Provide food and supplies to veterans at The Veterans Site for free! Bob Hope - 1971 USO Show at Long Binh, Vietnam | Military.com Video Military Life Off Duty Bob Hope - 1971 USO Show at Long Binh, Vietnam An unanticipated problem was encountered, check. Whether its in USO centers around the country or on military bases around the world, the USO works hard to bring a slice of home to those serving abroad and in distant lands. Gen. Leo Benade presented Krause with the U.S. Their eyes looked like buttons on a stuffed toy. Vietnam war 1961 - 1975. Each club had a snack bar, gift shops, a barbershop, photo developing, overseas phone lines, and hot showers. Philip Ahn, the first actor of Korean descent to become a Hollywood star, became the first Asian American USO performer to entertain troops in Vietnam. Our History USO San Diego Veterans and their families pay nothing for our services, and they never will. The Andrews Sisters were a popular singing group of the swing and boogie-woogie music eras. 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. 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. In 1947, the USO was disbanded,[30] due partly to lack of funds. (Author on left) "Okay, soldier, come up on the stage. According to war historian Paul Edwards, between 1952 and 1953, not a day went by without the USO providing services somewhere in Korea. Each author or poet who submits work to us is afforded the chance to work one-on-one with a mentor to polish their work or learn new skills and techniques. These USO performances on the front lines of World War II paved the way for the many decades to come of USO entertainment for the troops. According to Westheider, "The young women wore miniskirts no slacks were allowed." And John Steinbeck, just back from a chore as war correspondent, also applauded show business as part of the war effort and its importance as a morale builder. The 10 Greatest USO Performers - The Veterans Site News 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. But the sincerity and commitment to the men and women . At home or overseas, in 1952 it was serving 3.5million in the armed forces using much the same methods of operation as it did in World War II. Go on, we were told. On Its 80th Anniversary, the USO Looks Back on Eight Decades of For other uses, see, List of entertainers who performed for American troops in Vietnam, Entertainments National Service Association, "Our Proud History: Important Dates in USO History", "From World War II to Afghanistan: USO Marks 75th Anniversary", The USO, A Home Away From Home for 80 Years, by Julia Lauria-Blum, July 9, 2021, The United Service Organizations for National Defense, Inc. (USO) and the YWCA, "Photo of Edward G. Robinson entertaining troops in Normandy", "Radio Address on the National War Fund Drive. A 1956 Seattle Times article reported that Krause maiden name: Mack was a member of the Womens Navy Reserve Officer Corps during her time at Seattle University. They provided soldiers a place to eat, write a letter back home, play . "[40], The visits by the stars meant a lot to the men and women in Vietnam. An MGM film, Mr. Gardenia Jones, created to assist the USO in its fundraising campaign, was nearly withdrawn from theaters due to objections by the War Department, mainly because of scenes showing soldiers jumping with joy at the opportunity to shower in canteens and rest in overstuffed and comfortable USO chairs. The nun followed me. It was at Vung Tau Rehab hospital. Little about it is concrete. "Live While You Can" A Tribute to . And we pray.. He signed over his royalties to the USO. One female entertainer wrote about conditions while performing: We've played to audiences, many of them ankle deep in mud, huddled under the ponchos in the pouring rain (it breaks your heart the first two or three times to see men so hungry for entertainment.) "[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."
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