Figure 1.--Here Hollywood starts return from the Pacific after entertaining the troops on a USO tour, The photograph was dated September 2, 1944. This was just after seizing the Nariansa and before the liberation of the Philippines. The well-armed stars are Jerry Colonna, Frances Langford, Bob Hope, and Patty Thomas as they arrived hime. To gret thm are Linda Hope, Tony Hope, and Robert Colonna.

Several groups supported American Doughboys during World War I, but there was no coordinated effort. As war raged in Europe in became increasingly cler that America would ultimately be involved. Important welfare and service groups began to prpare for the effort ahead. These included the Salvation Army, Young Men’s Christian Association, Young Women’s Christian Association, National Catholic Community Services, National Travelers Aid Association, the National Jewish Welfare Board, and other smaller groups. This achieved new urgency when Congress passed the firsrt peacetime Feaft Bill (1940). President Roosevelt saw the need for a coordinared effort. He formed the United Service Organizations (USO), with the objective coordinating efforts to provideemotional support for U.S. servicemen. the troops needed. Supporting America’s fighting men was from the beginning the first mission of the USO. The USO was organized (April 17, 1941). America was still at peavce. Throughout the War, the USO worked to meet the the religious, spiritual, and educational needs of the men and for the first time women in the military services. USO clubs were opened throygout the United ttes and oversaes. They were finnced by the public contributions. Volunteers, mostly young women, organized USO clubs sponsored a variety of activities for service personnel that included dances, sporting events, and dinners in the homes of local families. Perhaos the best known USO activity were the shows that Hollywood stars, unlike the modern interation of pampered stars, put on for thge troops. Many of the biggesrt stars went overseas with the USO to entertain the troops and in many cases very close to the front lines. Here Bob Hope became a national icon.

Created: 10:22 PM 8/30/2010
Last updated: 10:22 PM 8/30/2010