United Service Organizations - Wikipedia
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12/17/2017 United Service Organizations - Wikipedia United Service Organizations The United Service Organizations Inc. (USO) is a nonprofit organization that provides live entertainment, such as comedians and The United Service musicians, and other programs to members of the United States Armed Forces and their families. Since 1941, it has worked in partnership with the Organizations Department of Defense (DoD), relying heavily on private contributions and on funds, goods, and services from various corporate and individual donors. Although it is congressionally-chartered, it is not a government agency. During World War II, the USO became the GI's "home away from home" and began a tradition of entertaining the troops that continues today. 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 Founded February 4, [1] having volunteered their services in some way. After it was disbanded in 1941 1947, it was revived in 1950 for the Korean War, after which it also provided peacetime services. During the Vietnam War, USOs were Type Services sometimes located in combat zones. Focus The USO The organization became particularly famous for its live performances, strengthens called Camp Shows, through which the entertainment industry helped boost the morale of its servicemen and women. Hollywood in general was America’s eager to show its patriotism, and many famous celebrities joined the ranks military of USO entertainers. They entertained in military bases at home and overseas, sometimes placing their own lives in danger, by traveling or service performing under hazardous conditions. members by The USO has over 200 locations around the world in 14 countries keeping (including the U.S.) and 27 states. During a gala marking the USO's 75th them anniversary in 2016, retired Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., the current chairman of the USO Board of Governors, estimated that the USO has connected to [2][3] served more than 35 million Americans over its history. family, home and country, throughout Contents their service History Mission and goals to the nation. World War II List of WWII entertainers Location Arlington, Virginia Women in the USO Women entertainers Area 200+ centers Korean War served Vietnam War worldwide https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Service_Organizations 1/15 12/17/2017 United Service Organizations - Wikipedia Lebanese Peacekeeping Key J.D Crouch II Gulf War people Afghanistan and Iraq President Honoring Bob Hope and CEO Financial matters Cultural references Revenue Donations (a See also 501(c)(3) References non-profit) External links Volunteers 30,000+ History Website www.uso.org (http://www.u Mission and goals so.org/) 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. Roosevelt was elected as its honorary chairman. This request brought together six civilian organizations: the Salvation Army, Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), National Catholic Community Service, National Travelers Aid Association and the National Jewish Welfare Board. They were brought together under one umbrella to support U.S. troops. Roosevelt said he wanted "these private organizations to handle the on-leave recreation of the men in the armed forces." According to historian Emily Yellin, "The government was to build the buildings and the USO was to raise private funds to carry out its main mission: boosting the morale of the military."[4] The first national campaign chairman was Thomas Dewey, who raised $16 million in the first year. The second chairman was future senator Prescott Bush.[4] The USO was incorporated in New York on February 4,[1] with the first facility erected in DeRidder, Louisiana,1941.[5][6] More USO centers and Actor Mickey Rooney, a World War clubs opened around the world as a “Home Away from Home” for GIs. The II Bronze Star recipient, honoring USO club was a place to go for dances and social events, for movies and the USO in 2000 music, for a quiet place to talk or write a letter home, or for a free cup of coffee and an egg. The USO also brought Hollywood celebrities and volunteer entertainers to perform for the troops. According to movie historian Steven Cohan, "most of all ... in taking home on the road, it equated the nation with showbiz. USO camp shows were designed in their export to remind soldiers of home." They did this, he noted, by "nurturing in troops a sense of patriotic identification with America through popular entertainment."[7] An article in Look magazine at the time, stated, "For the little time the show lasts, the men are taken straight to the familiar Main Street that is the goal of every fighting American far away from home." Maxene Andrews wrote, "The entertainment brought home to the boys. Their home." Actor George Raft stated at the beginning of the war, "Now it's going to be up to us to send to the men here and abroad real, living entertainment, the songs, the dances, and the laughs they had back home."[7] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Service_Organizations 2/15 12/17/2017 United Service Organizations - Wikipedia USO promotional literature stated its goals: "The story of USO camp shows belongs to the American people, for it was their contribution that made it possible. It is an important part in the life of your sons, your brothers, your husbands, and your sweethearts."[7] World War II After being formed in 1941, in response to World War II, "centers were established quickly... in churches, barns, railroad cars, museums, castles, beach clubs, and log cabins."[8] Most centers offered recreational activities, such as holding dances and showing movies. And there were the well-known free coffee and doughnuts. Some USO bases 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. But the organization became mostly known for its live performances called Camp Shows, through which the entertainment industry helped boost the morale of its servicemen and women. USO Camp Shows, Inc. began in October 1941,[9] and by that fall and winter 186 military theaters existed in Bob Hope USO show, 1944 the United States. Overseas shows began in November 1941 with a tour of the Caribbean. Within five months 36 overseas units had been sent within the Americas, the United Kingdom, and Australia, and during 1942 1,000 performed as part of 70 units. Average performers were paid $100 a week; top stars were paid $10 a day because their wealth let them contribute more of their talents.[10] 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. 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.[11] 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.[12][13] He had already been active back home selling war bonds, and donated $100,000 to the USO. During his show, he said, "This is the most privileged moment of my life, the opportunity to be here with you."[14] The following month, Camp Shows began in Normandy. Until fall 1944 overseas units contained five performers or fewer; The Barretts of Wimpole Street, using local theaters in France and Italy, was the first to use an entire theater company, including scenery.[10] At its high point in 1944, the USO had more than 3,000 clubs, and curtains were rising on USO shows 700 times a day. The USO's fundraising efforts were controversial. 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. 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." The film starred Ronald Reagan, then a captain in the Army Air Force.[15] Fundraising was also aided by non-USO entertainment groups. Soldier Shows, which troops—often experienced actors and musicians—organized and held their own performances, were common. The army formed a Special Services unit that organized such shows and supervised the USO, and the experience from the Soldier Shows led to Irving Berlin's Broadway https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Service_Organizations 3/15 12/17/2017 United Service Organizations - Wikipedia show This Is the Army. Performers and writers from throughout the army were recruited for the production; they remained soldiers and continued drills. Berlin, who had written and produced the similar Yip, Yip, Yaphank during World War I, took the entire 165-person cast on tour in Europe in 1942, raising nearly $10 million for the Army Emergency Relief Fund. The following year the show was made into a film by the same title, again starring Ronald Reagan.[16][10] One of the highlights of the film was its introduction of Berlin's song, "God Bless America," considered one of the nation's most patriotic songs.[17] The This Is The Army stage production toured worldwide until it closed in October 1945 in Honolulu.[10] War correspondent Quentin Reynolds, wrote in an article for Billboard magazine in 1943, that "Entertainment, all phases of it — radio, pictures and live — should be treated as essential.