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. The Guinness Book of Records called him the most honored entertainer ever. 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. The Military Order of the Purple Heart notes that "his contributions to the USO are well known: they are legend. They sat on the ground or up on the hillside. In those years, the USO opened centers at Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Carson, Colorado; and Afghanistan. [17] 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. The second chairman was future senator Prescott Bush. Stars such as Marlene Dietrich, Judy Garland, Betty Grable and Rita Hayworth had traveled over a million miles. I toured for the USO during Desert Storm and never asked what it stood for. 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.[12]. 60 new units went to Europe after V-E Day, and 91 new units went to the Pacific after V-J Day. "[48] 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. Roosevelt said he wanted "these private organizations to handle the on-leave recreation of the men in the armed forces." It's heartbreaking.[4]. Hispanic-American soldiers were entertained by artists such as Pérez Prado's Show featuring Evita Muñoz as his invited mambo dancer. The Musicians of the United States Military, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=United_Service_Organizations&oldid=1019300928, Non-profit organizations based in Arlington, Virginia, United States military support organizations, United States National Medal of Arts recipients, Patriotic and national organizations chartered by the United States Congress, Articles with dead external links from July 2018, Articles with permanently dead external links, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2014, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from May 2018, Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia, Wikipedia articles with SNAC-ID identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. They have aired WWE RAW from Afghanistan and Iraq every Christmas in the United States in a pre-taped show from the combat zone. 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. Rate it: USO: United Services Organizations. 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. Every night we play a different place.[4]. 169247). "[22], African-American women scrambled to rally the community around the soldiers and create programs for them. "[47][48] 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. After the show, they returned to the fighting in the hills. Entertainers performing for the troops included Bob Hope, Jay Leno, Steve Martin, Delta Burke, Ann Jillian, Gerald McRaney, Marie Osmond, the Pointer Sisters, country singer Gina James, and Bob Hope on his final USO tour.[42]. Find out about the origins of the name. According to Westheider, "The young women wore miniskirts – no slacks were allowed." Overseas shows began in November 1941 with a tour of the Caribbean. She later married the co-pilot who saved her life in that crash, and her story was made into the 1952 film With a Song in My Heart, with Froman providing the actual singing voice. His final Christmas show was during Operation Desert Shield in 1990. [39], In 1983, a bloody civil war was raging in Lebanon. 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. And bandleader Les Brown, who was with him during many of his tours, mentioned that his band "had seen more of Hope's ass in the last forty years than any of Hope's immediate family. in the NIATP (New Iraqi Army Training Program) under Vinnell Corporation, Program Director Lieutenant General George Allen Crocker (when meeting Mr Willis)", "Actor Charlie Sheen gives $1M to troops, USO", "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, 1941–1955, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. 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. "[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." USO stands for Used to Support. The USO has a paid staff of approximately 300. What does USO mean in Unclassified? Is the USO an agency of the United States Government? It covered a 50-year timespan, from the USO's inception in 1941 through Operation Desert Storm, in 1991. Following the Invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, Edward G. Robinson was the first movie star to travel to Normandy to entertain the troops. He signed over his royalties to the USO. During a gala marking the USO's 75th anniversary in 2016, retired Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., the current chairman of the USO Board of Governors, estimated that the USO has served more than 35 million Americans over its history. Yellin writes, "During her last show she collapsed and had to be taken home on an Army airplane. 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. … Although it is congressionally-chartered, it is not a government agency. The USO has over 200 locations around the world in 14 countries (including the U.S.) and 27 states. According to movie historian Steven Cohan, "most of all ... in taking home on the road, it equated the nation with showbiz. [clarification needed], The USO also brought Hollywood celebrities and volunteer entertainers to perform for the troops. During his show, he said, "This is the most privileged moment of my life, the opportunity to be here with you. 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."[25]. 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. 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. Roosevelt was elected as its honorary chairman. [11], These overseas shows were produced by the American Theatre Wing, which also provided food and entertainment for the armed services in their Stage Door Canteens. I know what these men did for their country and I always have time for 'my gentlemen. In 1988, a car bomb targeted the USO club in Naples, which killed five people including a U.S. Navy officer. [32] And 126 units had given 5,422 performances to servicemen in Korea and the wounded in Japan. 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." During the Vietnam War years he gave a number of high-rating television specials and sensed that the media had given him a broad endorsement for continuing on his GI mercy missions. [20], Twenty-eight performers died in the course of their tours, from plane crashes, illness, or diseases contracted while on tour. American troops have been deployed in Italy since the end of World War II. We especially liked the young women in the show. "[49], 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. [50], "USO" redirects here. USO: Universal Strategy Optimizer: USO: University of Sydney Orange: USO: United Samoan Organization: USO: Unley Symphony Orchestra: USO: una sospensione oleosa: USO: Union of Student Organizations: USO: Unidentified Sailing Object: USO: Urologic Specialists of Oklahoma: USO: Uniglobal Services Outsourcing: USO: Unión Sindical Obrero: USO: Undergraduate Scholarship Office: USO What does USO stand for? But when you do it, you do it. All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. [34] He adds that the tours made a "deep impression" on the stars as well. They were brought together under one umbrella to support U.S. troops. Definition of USO in the Legal Dictionary - by Free online English dictionary and encyclopedia. From the start, Hollywood was eager to show its patriotism, and many celebrities joined the ranks of USO entertainers. "[9] Most centers offered recreational activities, such as holding dances and showing movies. Estimates were that more than 161 million servicemen and women, in the U.S. and abroad, were entertained. Is the USO an agency of the United States Government? During the Vietnam War, USO social facilities ("USOs") were sometimes located in combat zones. It is funded through private philanthropy, donations, volunteer work, and corporations. All Acronyms. Today, she claims that "veterans were still stopping her and thanking her for visiting Vietnam over 30 years later."[34]. Mr. Willis visited military bases in Iraq during his visit in Iraq.[43]. Rate it: USO: United States Organizations. 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. [16], Fundraising was also aided by non-USO entertainment groups. IM has different meaning in different places and situation and hence… 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. USO centers number more than 160 around the world. 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. Special Services productions grew in number as replacement.[11]. This page was last edited on 22 April 2021, at 15:35. The USO is a nonprofit, charitable corporation chartered by Congress that relies on donations from individuals, organizations and corporations to support its programs. Since 1941, it has worked in partnership with the Department of War, and later with the Department of Defense(DoD), relying heavily on private contributions and on funds, goods, and services from various corporate and individual donors. According to war historian Paul Edwards, between 1952 and 1953, not a day went by without the USO providing services somewhere in Korea. The USO dissolved in December 1947, after having spent $240 million in contributions on Camp Shows, canteens, and other services. 169-247)/Contra os Gramaticos de Sexto Empirico: traducao anotada, terceira parte (M 1. You try to keep their spirits up. "[18], According to historian Paul Holsinger, between 1941 and 1945, the USO did 293,738 performances in 208,178 separate visits. "[4] USO centers throughout the world recruited female volunteers to serve doughnuts, dance, and just talk with the troops. She was scrapped in 1967. 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. [27] In 1951, when the United States entered the Korean War, Secretary of Defense George Marshall and Secretary of the Navy Francis P. Matthews requested that the USO be reactivated "to provide support for the men and women of the armed forces with help of the American people." Danny was okay, with his stories and jokes, but after all, we knew what American men looked like.[31]:51. '[37], In November–December 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. [33], 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. Some USO centers provided a haven for spending a quiet moment alone or writing a letter home, while others offered spiritual guidance and made childcare available for military wives. Meaning of USO. Polaroid pictures were taken by Mr. Peppard's escort officer, autographed, and given to the men. His contribution to the USO began in 1941 and ended with Operation Desert Shield in 1991, spending 48 Christmases overseas with American service personnel. The USO has provided services for the annual "Tribute to the Troops" special of World Wrestling Entertainment. 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. "[23], Women were also key entertainers who performed at shows. In 2011, the USO was awarded the National Medal of Arts. Author Linda Granfield in describing the show, writes, "For two hours, the men could forget they were soldiers at war. You don't know what entertainment means to the guys who do the fighting until you've been up there with the men yourself. The USO is a private, not-for-profit organization that is not a government agency but works in cooperation with the Department of Defense. [2][3], The USO was founded in 1941 by Mary Ingraham in response to a request from President Franklin D. Roosevelt to provide morale and recreation services to U.S. uniformed military personnel. To support troops participating in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, USO centers opened in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar. The USO also did shows in military hospitals, eventually entertaining more than 3 million wounded soldiers and sailors in 192 different hospitals. Involvement in the USO was one of the many ways in which the nation had come together to support the war effort, with nearly 1.5 million people having volunteered their services in some way. "[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. The GIs roared with laughter. For other uses, see, List of entertainers who performed for American troops in Vietnam, United Service Organization of North Carolina, Entertainments National Service Association, "Our Proud History: Important Dates in USO History", "From World War II to Afghanistan: USO Marks 75th Anniversary", "Photo of Edward G. Robinson entertaining troops in Normandy", "Quentin Reynolds Talks on Terrific Job Big and Little Showbiz is Doing Overseas", "Dear Donna: A Pinup So Swell She Kept G.I. Shows were also performed with comedian Joey Bishop of the Rat Pack. 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's fundraising efforts were controversial. , the USO $ 16 million in the following month, Camp Kir Kush and Camp Caldwell, around! Christmas in the Unclassified terminology in particular really worth fighting for were at. 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