The soldiers sat on the ground as close together as possible. Behind the sitting throng, men stood several deep vying for position. They talked and joked among themselves as they anxiously waited. The crowd had anticipated this special occasion for days. A USO show had come from the states all the way out here just to entertain them, the lucky ones off the front lines for a few days rest.

The band on the makeshift stage played the introductory music. Someone came up to the microphone and enthusiastically introduced Bob Hope, the famous comedian, movie and radio star. When Hope came on stage, the crowd went wild with applause, whistles, and shouts. Hope reveled in the reception and bowed to thank everyone. Finally, he held up his arms to settle them down. A string of jokes followed. The audience laughed and clapped. Then he introduced a beautiful, well-known singer, Frances Langford. Again the boys went wild. The band started up and Frances began to sing an old, familiar tune that quieted the audience as it took them back to happier times.

Could you imagine being far from home, fighting a war, in fear for your life and a troupe of famous entertainers appeared to perform for you? At a time when Bob Hope’s radio show was number one in the U.S. and Frances Langford was a popular recording star, they took time from their successful careers to travel into dangerous territory to bring laughter and joy to service personnel. Hope’s tours included musicians, comedians, magicians, actors, singers and always beautiful women like Dorothy Lamour and Marlene Dietrich. Bob Hope’s shows went to North Africa, Italy, Europe and the South Pacific. These shows began Hope’s lifelong commitment to entertaining service men and women wherever they were stationed around the world.

Many more entertainers, both famous and not so famous, trekked to bases at home and around the world doing their bit for the war effort, mostly with the USO.

The USO, United Service Organizations, created the USO Camp Shows, Inc. in October 1941 to meet the live entertainment needs of the military. It was divided into four circuits to provide live entertainment for different areas. Victory and Blue Circuits entertained the state-side military. The Hospital Circuit entertained the wounded in military hospitals while the Foxhole Circuit traveled overseas. All kinds of entertainers were recruited to join these circuits throughout the war.

The list of entertainers who performed for the USO Camp Shows, Inc. would go on and on. Every famous film actor, radio performer (TV didn’t exist then), singing and recording star, and Broadway stage performer took part. Less famous entertainers went to smaller venues with next to no publicity. These famous and not-so-famous entertainers staved off the boredom and homesickness of innumerable military personnel.

The tradition of providing the American military with live entertainment continues today. We hear about singers, actors, comedians and other celebrities entertaining our troops, such as Jon Stewart, Scarlet Johanssen, Trace Adkins, The Chain Smokers, and so many others. Bob Hope may be gone but the tradition he started carries on today.