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. My first impression of Vietnam was hot, hot, hot! ' During the Vietnam War, Sinatra visited and sang for troops at the U.S. military bases near Saigon. 3. No other moniker for Sammy Davis Jr. was more accurate. It was this year that Bob Hope brought his first-ever Bob Hope USO Christmas Show to Vietnam with a star-studded cast ready to entertain service members just when they needed it most. 17 Released. Volunteer American civilians, who did 18-month tours, staffed the clubs. [4] The USO was incorporated in New York on February 4,[1] with the first facility erected in DeRidder, Louisiana, 1941. Despite the death of LaVerne in 1967, the Andrews Sisters remained active until disbanding in 1975. He did it allsing, dance, create music and crack wise. Fifteen or sixteen, at best. Maxene Andrews wrote, "The entertainment brought home to the boys. The non-lethal ends of the arrows were fitted with pieces of bamboo. 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. Despite her passing, her USO legacy is cemented in history. The 10 Greatest USO Performers. "Live While You Can" A Tribute to . Case said Krause was also the host of the less frequent television show of the same name. The troop consisted of Doublemint Twins Terrie and Jennie Frankel, Gaslight Club singer Sara Sue, Comedian Tony Diamond and personality Sig Sakowitz. Their home." Now you tell me? 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. They sat on the ground or up on the hillside. In 1947, the USO was disbanded,[30] due partly to lack of funds. 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 . This runway is actually too short for this type of plane, our liaison officer said. Hope was among the first to say yes. 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. Patricia Krause was the host of the Armed Forces Radio Saigon Program, Whats New at the USO? during the Vietnam War. 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. No expression. [9], In 2011, the USO was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama "for contributions to lifting the spirits of America's troops and their families through the arts".[10]. entertainers toured the bases in Vit Nam to support the troops. The lobby had a few armchairs and potted plants. Hope wrote in a magazine article that "Can you imagine, that people in America are burning their draft cards to show their opposition and that some of them are actually rooting for your defeat? In 2011, the USO was awarded the National Medal of Arts. Roosevelt said he wanted "these private organizations to handle the on-leave recreation of the men in the armed forces." Wait a minute, he said. It had bare walls, dirt floors, low ceilings, and ragged fabric hanging to delineate separate areas. Most were so drugged they could barely respond. Many of these people are well-known and well-lauded. 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. "[35] By the end of the war, over 113,000 American USO volunteers were working at 294 centers at home and abroad. After every performance he'd choose a volunteer to join him in a quick-draw contest. General William Westmoreland spoke about his loyalty to the GI throughout the gritty Vietnam years. "[40], The visits by the stars meant a lot to the men and women in Vietnam. MEAs Guide to Short Fiction and Nonfiction, AS YOU WERE: THE MILITARY REVIEW, Vol. [46] He was always treated as "an asset to the U.S. Government with his willingness to entertain whenever they needed him. She was scrapped in 1967. The show opens on Aug. 9 and closes on Aug. 11. My first week here ah got malaria out there in the Delta, so they put me in the hospital. The Andrews Sisters were a popular singing group of the swing and boogie-woogie music eras. I left the room, too upset to speak. Hope, of course, was one of the biggest stars involved. I saw a different kind of hopelessness when we visited a hospital ship, docked off the coast of Saigon. Our liaison officer had warned us not to go into the streets alone, but I was curious. He removed the crossbow and quiver from the wall. The USO has provided services for the annual "Tribute to the Troops" special of World Wrestling Entertainment. Soldier Shows, which troops often experienced actors and musicians organized and held their own performances, were common. We've played with huge tropical bugs flying in our hair and faces; we've played to audiences of thousands of men, audiences spreading from our very feet to far up a hillside and many sitting in the trees. Jane Russell. I had an opportunity to travel all over Vietnam visiting remote sites, delivering gifts, just talking with men and bringing them a bit of home.. "[27] Edward Skvarna remembers 1943, when he met Donna Reed at a USO canteen and asked her to dance. La grafa Vietnam, y no Viet Nam, es la recomendada para referirse a ese pas asitico cuya capital es Hani, con tilde en la o. That Id been forbidden to go outside and was afraid Id be in trouble? 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. The USO relies on your support to help service members and their families. Froman returned to Europe on crutches in 1945 to again entertain the troops. There were 702 different USO troupes that toured the world, some spending up to six months per tour. I was uncomfortable even before we arrived. I didnt know whether to be impressed or to feel sorry for him. Danny was okay, with his stories and jokes, but after all, we knew what American men looked like. Some in that audience never made it back. SIGNED BY McCAIN, SAIGON MENU STORY - 3 MINUTES LONG. Or was I so upset by what Id seen that I couldnt talk about it? None showed any expression. 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. Smokes, but not booze. We do our best. Interestingly, Krause did not appear to be a stranger to the military even before joining the USO. Veths letter explained that Krause quickly realized upon arrival in Vietnam that many service members did not receive correspondence from the homefront, so she decided to change that. "[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. Scholars debate about when the Vietnam War really began and in many ways it has never ended. Especially when youre working in the interior. He paused. They went to black businesses and fraternal organizations in order to find sponsorship for their USO group, and later expanded to fulfill the needs of soldiers during the Korean War. The 10 Greatest USO Performers - The Veterans Site News 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. Every day, Americas service members selflessly put their lives on the line to keep us safe and free. According to Westheider, "The young women wore miniskirts no slacks were allowed." They went as volunteers to entertain, and celebrities continue to provide volunteer entertainment in military bases in the U.S. and overseas, sometimes placing their own lives in danger by traveling or performing under hazardous conditions. 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. That day we gave two shows, the last at twilight. To support troops participating in Operation Desert Shield, USO centers opened in Saudi Arabia. Iraq war 2003 - present. I followed her into the building. USO Id like that, I said. In 1988, a car bomb targeted the USO club in Naples, which killed five people including a U.S. Navy officer. According to Kerry biographer Douglas Brinkley, "When the Swift finally made it back to the My Tho River, the crew confronted the heartbreaking sight of a huge Navy landing craft ferrying the troops back. Perspective | Men weren't the only heroes of the Vietnam War Four hundred Marines stationed in Beirut attended the show.[45]. Mix with the guys. Clip from Bob Hope USO tour Cu Chi Vietnam 1968.DVD series available at Time/Life. Entertaining Vietnam Trailer - YouTube 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. Whats New at the USO? also featured celebrity interviews. The Bob Hope Show, Christmas In Vietnam - Archive We thumped and jittered over huge potholes and uneven terrain that served as a runway. Suddenly I heard shouting from halfway down the ward. Can you help me? "'The Vietnam War' Sponsor Bank of America Teams With The Lumineers to Support the USO ", Programs for Service Members and Their Families. I lived with a tribe of Montagnards for several months. In 1991, 20th Century Fox produced the film For the Boys, which told the story of two USO performers, and starred Bette Midler and James Caan. Be the first to learn about news, service member stories and fundraising updates from USO. Mark Hopkins, Jr., taking his last name and moving to the San Miguel military base in the Philippines. Most wore soiled-looking diapers that drooped around their knees. [7] The USO club was a place to go for dances and social events, for movies and music, for a quiet place to talk or write a letter home, or for a free cup of coffee and an egg. The appearance of DoD visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. And there were the well-known free coffee and doughnuts. Entertaining Vietnam Trailer - YouTube Many of the entertainers who toured the Vietnam war were well known.most of them weren't. Filmmaker Mara Wallis belonged to the latter group for. Dead. List of entertainers who performed for American troops in Vietnam 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. A few days later we flew to an isolated base on a mountaintop in the Central Highlands. "I had never danced with a celebrity before, so I felt delighted, privileged even, to meet her. 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. The army formed a Special Services unit that organized such shows and supervised the USO, and the experience from the Soldier Shows led to Irving Berlin's Broadway show This Is the Army. Here's a look at 10 of the greatest performers to grace the USO stage. Singer-actress-dancer Ann Miller described performing for badly wounded soldiers. In the Chaos of the Vietnam War, There Was One Thing You - HistoryNet The following year the show was made into a film by the same title, again starring Ronald Reagan. The USO has hosted more than 8.1 million center celebrity visits across the world. Each club had a snack bar, gift shops, a barbershop, photo developing, overseas phone lines, and hot showers. After a few minutes the screaming and pounding stopped. 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]. 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. Photo credit USO. Its still fought in the bodies and minds of the men who waged it all those decades ago. Do I have to? I asked our liaison officer. 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. USO Camp Shows, Inc. began in October 1941,[12] and by that fall and winter 186 military theaters existed in the United States. Thank you. 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. At this time, the USO also began centers at major U.S. airports to provide a place for servicemen to lounge and sleep between flights. Editors Note: After years of wondering what happened to Patricia Krause in her later years, USO Senior Digital Archivist Michael Case recently discovered that she died in Henderson, Nevada, on Jan. 19, 2011. USO and Veteran Connection - Sedona Seven Arches Live Veths letter also highlighted Krauses honor of meeting then-President Lyndon Johnson, who thanked her for her work in Vietnam. As black historian Megan Shockley noted, "Their work for the desegregation of USOs had begun during World War II, and it finally paid off. In the Second World War, Rooney served with special services in the U.S. Army for nearly two years, earning a Bronze Star Medal. Chico, whose "shoot the keys" piano solos were the heart of his act, often had to do without a piano at all. "[17] The following month, Camp Shows began in Normandy. Be friendly.. Naval Forces in Vietnam, for the VFW 1968 Unsung Heroine Award. Hispanic-American soldiers were entertained by artists such as Prez Prado's Show featuring Evita Muoz as his invited mambo dancer. "There were so many restrictions. 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. Bob Hope - Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Happens all the time.. It is an important part in the life of your sons, your brothers, your husbands, and your sweethearts. Ill be careful, I said, fighting back tears. 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. New York. I smiled, thinking of home. Let's see how fast you can draw a six-shooter!" It was 1967. He described these programs as USO newsletters while Veths letter called Krause the voice from home for deployed service members. "USO" redirects here. United Service Organizations, Inc.: hearing before the Subcommittee on Administrative Law and Governmental Relations of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, Ninety-fourth Congress, first session December 9, 1975. Hope's trips from 1941 to 1991 took him on 57 tours with the USO while he entertained the troops in every major military conflict including WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and Operation Desert Storm (Persian Gulf War). [13] The USO was also supported by the National War Fund. [18], Fundraising was also aided by non-USO entertainment groups. 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 In the Detroit News article, Krause described what it was like to hear mortar shells flying past her Saigon residence: You can hear them coming, she said. I must have passed inspection, since he went on talking. The South China Sea Sentinel reported in 1971 that Krause was remarried in 1970 to Cmdr. Ahm from Kentucky. He stopped. The baby showers allow pregnant military spouses to network and form a community while their spouses are deployed.[54]. 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. After being formed in 1941, in response to World War II, "centers were established quickly in churches, barns, railroad cars, museums, castles, beach clubs, and log cabins. When I looked around, I saw that many of our group had left. What was that? I asked the nearest orderly. who was with a USO tour that visited Chu Lai in August 1967. We especially liked the young women in the show. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. We've played on uncovered stages, when we, as well as the audience, got rain-soaked. 10. Bob Hope and His Dangerous History of Entertaining Troops With the USO Two long rows of folding cots ranged down both sides. Vietnam war 1961 - 1975. It was only thirty dollars and change. Yellin writes, "During her last show she collapsed and had to be taken home on an Army airplane. Owned and operated by CharityUSA.com, LLC. Consisting of sisters LaVerne, Maxene, and Patty, the group was quite active from the late 1930s into the early 50s, and boasted sales of more than 75 million records over the groups career. Vietnam, mejor que Viet Nam | Buen Idioma Terrie explains her pride and joya Vietnam 1968 Saigon Enlisted Open Mess Menu she acquired during her USO Tour in 1968signed years later by Senator John McCain, Senator John Kerry, and General Wesley Clarkall of whom served proudly in Vietnam. USO snack bars sold cigarettes to troops, but didn't sell liquor. Some looked emaciated. I have never seen such hopelessness in a human face. Dont mean nothin, he said. Either the families have no food, or everyone else has been killed in a bombing., The Church gives us a little money, she said. Looking out the window, I spotted the wreckage of several airplanes. And we pray.. Message & data rates may apply. She scored a hit with the 1966 song, These Boots Are Made For Walkin. They been sending me back and forth for almost a year. [23], Twenty-eight performers died in the course of their tours, from plane crashes, illness, or diseases contracted while on tour. Vietnam War Entertainers - Facebook During USO Mail Call, Krause read letters from families who wanted to write to service men, individuals and groups expressing admiration and support and young girls volunteering to be pen pals, Veth wrote. You try to keep their spirits up. 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. Performers and writers from throughout the army were recruited for the production; they remained soldiers and continued drills. It was at Vung Tau Rehab hospital. When I answered in French, her face lit up. People leave them here. We went on board and entered a depressingly large ward. 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! I looked up. 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. 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. The USO Camp Shows kicked off in October of 1941, two months before American's entry into World War II. The USO provides services to troops before, during, and after deployment through staffed and unstaffed USO centers inside and outside combat zones. Ahm sick, maam. Entertaining Allied Troops in World War II - Wargaming Our editors are based all over the country and includes college professors, professional authors, veterans advocates, and clinicians. Thankfully, Laurel and Hardy's Driver's License sketch needed only a few simple props. It is decorated with a tiger and embroidered with the words, To Patty. The film starred Ronald Reagan, then a captain in the Army Air Force. Whatever the reason, I am haunted by the memory of those babies. According to Emily Yellin, many of the key foot soldiers in the USO's mission were women who were "charged with providing friendly diversion for U.S. troops who were mostly men in their teens and twenties. Her self-sacrificing, tireless devotion did not go unnoticed by the military. The USO was in Vietnam before the first combat troops arrived, with the first USO club opened in Saigon in April 1963. (LogOut/ 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. One recognition came in the form of a nomination by Navy Rear Adm. Kenneth L. Veth, commander of U.S. 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. Eleanor Roosevelt on White House lawn with "Hollywood Victory Caravan" entertainers (seated, from left) Oliver Hardy (1892-1957), Joan Blondell (1906-1979), Charlotte Greenwood (1890-1977), Charles Boyer . Its a highly effective weapon. He paused, as if weighing the crossbow in his hands, Here, he said, handing it me. Jolson was the first to volunteer, but due to lack of USO funds traveled to Korea at his own expense[32] (he was also the first to entertain troops during World War II).[33]. Veterans and their families pay nothing for our services, and they never will. "[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. Seemed to be studying me. 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. This page was last edited on 7 April 2023, at 11:05. (LogOut/ and since 1941, the nonprofit organization has stuck to that motto, doing its best to bring support and entertainment to American military personnel around the world. [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. All Rights Reserved. Was it because Id broken the rules? Went right through the fuselage and killed the pilot. The most notable celebrity to entertain the troops, Bob Hope, created a legacy unequaled. The nun followed me. I hate the sight of blood. She held the gate open for me to leave. Harrisburg U.S.O., Penn Station, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Entrance View I.Gottscho-Schleisner, Inc., photographer, Sept. 3, 1943. The live events were basically variety shows that featured combinations of singers, comedians, actors, bands, and more. Yet, a civilian heroine who served in a different capacity during that difficult time also merits particular acknowledgment. The Military Order of the Purple Heart notes that "his contributions to the USO are well known: they are legend. Vietnam historian James Westheider noted that the USO "tried to bring a little America to Vietnam." Rooney also participated in USO tours during the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Why wont they let me go home?. Im looking for information on a USO entertainer, Judy Larson,. I sat in a quiet corner, sipping a coke. [38], When providing entertainment, the USO did its best to attract known stars from back home to help relieve the stresses of war. But when you do it, you do it. Under our Publications tab, there are more than a dozen volumes of creative work crafted by veterans and their family members as well as a virtual art gallery. Heres a look at 10 of the greatest performers to grace the USO stage. The Andrews Sisters The Andrews Sisters were a popular singing group of the swing and boogie-woogie music eras. Bob Hope. You may look, the nun said, standing alongside one of the cribs. The USO's fundraising efforts were controversial. Hugh OBrien, famous as TVs Wyatt Earp, was the star of a USO tour in Vietnam. He signed over his royalties to the USO. Overseas shows began in November 1941 with a tour of the Caribbean. 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 guy had a quiet, reflective energy that struck me as unusual in a non-com officer. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Vietnam vets recall USO memories; tribute show this weekend I was afraid to sit anywhere. I want to know about the children I see here, I said. He paused. I met her in Nha Trang in 67. And be careful of the arrows. But I really felt she was like a girl from back home." John Wayne. The Bob Hope Legacy Reading program allows service members record and send a video of themselves reading a book to their children at home. 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. I hoped my visit had given him a moment of comfort. Thats what the French called the non-Vietnamese. "[57] In the spring of 1973, Hope began writing his fifth book, The Last Christmas Show, which was dedicated to "the men and women of the armed forces and to those who also served by worrying and waiting." 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. We ate a somber dinner in the Officers Club; then went to the non-coms club to socialize with the men. Maam? I watched from the stage, along with the entire cast of Guys and Dolls, as the soldier was hoisted up by his cheering buddies and tried to out-draw OBrien. What were they doing there, a few hundred feet from our hotel? "[21], According to historian Paul Holsinger, between 1941 and 1945, the USO did 293,738 performances in 208,178 separate visits. Case said that in her role of director of public information, Krause was the point of contact for people booking Hollywood celebrities who wanted to arrange visits to the troops in Vietnam. Celebrities in Hollywood that have donated their time and talents helping our troops and USO both in US & overseas. Even with some Americans at home debating Vietnam War policies, the USO continued to assist soldiers far away from home, by whatever means necessary. According to movie historian Steven Cohan, "most of all in taking home on the road, it equated the nation with showbiz. Though blessed with talent, his life wasnt without struggles. Maam? he wailed, gripping my hand with surprising strength. Gen. Leo Benade presented Krause with the U.S. I re-enlisted. The book tells the story of 16 women who served as nurses, USO performers, and soldiers in the . They make everything by hand bow, quiver, and arrows. He pulled out a single arrow. 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.)
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