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1972 – Comedian Bob Hope gives what he says is his last Christmas show to U.S. servicemen in Saigon.
Hope was a comedian and star of stage, radio, television, and over 50 feature films. Hope was one of many Hollywood stars who followed the tradition of travelling overseas to entertain American troops stationed abroad.
The 1972 show marked Hope’s ninth consecutive Christmas appearance in Vietnam. Hope endorsed President Nixon’s bombing of North Vietnam to force it to accept U.S. peace terms, and received South Vietnam’s highest civilian medal for his “anti-communist zeal.”
Although some antiwar protesters criticized Hope for supporting government policies in Vietnam, the comedian said he believed it was his responsibility to lift spirits by entertaining the troops.
http://thisdayinusmilhist.wordpress.com/2004/12/24/december-24/
Hope was a comedian and star of stage, radio, television, and over 50 feature films. Hope was one of many Hollywood stars who followed the tradition of travelling overseas to entertain American troops stationed abroad.
The 1972 show marked Hope’s ninth consecutive Christmas appearance in Vietnam. Hope endorsed President Nixon’s bombing of North Vietnam to force it to accept U.S. peace terms, and received South Vietnam’s highest civilian medal for his “anti-communist zeal.”
Although some antiwar protesters criticized Hope for supporting government policies in Vietnam, the comedian said he believed it was his responsibility to lift spirits by entertaining the troops.
http://thisdayinusmilhist.wordpress.com/2004/12/24/december-24/
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Military History
Military History
Posted >1 y ago
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Bob Hope's participation in USO shows was legendary. It was wonderful that entertainers of his fame and stature took time away from their other responsibilities and traveled to hostile areas to entertain deployed military members. This is especially noteworthy because he did it while many were opposed to the actions of the US and continued prosecution of the Vietnam War.
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