'Thanks for the Memories': Tell Us Your Bob Hope Story

For half a century and through four major U.S. wars, comedian and actor Bob Hope entertained American troops with his famous USO shows. He delighted homesick service members on- and off-stage with his all-star ensemble of musicians and famous friends. Hope's enthusiasm and stage presence was not only iconic; it became the gold standard for all other USO shows and entertainers.

An English-born immigrant who became a U.S. citizen as a teenager, Hope spent much of his youth entertaining on the street and then in vaudeville, honing the talents that would one day make him famous. He never served in the military, joking to uniformed Vietnam audiences, "... They did away with my old World War II classification: 4-Z. That's 'conscientious coward.'"

Already a household name in 1941, Hope was spurred to action by the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, launching a tour of stateside military bases, entertaining troops and broadcasting it to the nation. Hope continued performing for service members and boosting morale around the world after WWII through a total of 57 USO tours.

While not a veteran, Hope had a genuine respect for service members, and they loved him for it. No matter the country, conflict or climate, Hope was greeted by adoring, cheering crowds. He delighted in both the large shows and intimate meet-and-greets with injured and sick warriors, quipping at least once, "Working in a war zone is great for a comedian. You can always blame the bombs on the enemy."

When we asked service members to share their holiday memories, we were surprised by how many of them included heartwarming reminiscences of Hope and the contingent of entertainers he brought with him. We know there are certainly more stories out there, and we want to hear them.

Tell us: What is your treasured memory of Bob Hope? Share your story and a picture, if you have one, using our form below. We'll publish your thoughts for a follow-up article sharing insights from the Military.com community.

Your personal information will not be shared, and your responses will only be used for editorial purposes.

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