Video from The National WWII Museum
"Dear Bob": Bob Hope's Correspondence with GIs at War
"For decades comedian Bob Hope was a true war hero to American military stationed overseas, as he entertained the troops with his USO tour. Less-known was the role he played as a correspondent, answering some of the thousands of letters he received from GIs. Correspondent Tracy Smith talks with Hope's daughter, Linda Hope, and with Martha Bolton, who together compiled a new book of wartime letters, "Dear Bob...: Bob Hope's Wartime Correspondence with the GIs of World War II." from video introduction.
Bob Hope, how many of you reading this remember who is was? When I was a freshman in High School I remember watching him entertain troops in Vietnam, that would be in the early 1970's. Bob was part of what has become the greatest Generation. I salute you Bob and Godspeed!
"Comedian Bob Hope was born Leslie Townes Hope in Eltham, London, England, the fifth of seven sons of Avis (Townes), light opera singer, and William Henry Hope, a stonemason from Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. His maternal grandmother was Welsh. Hope moved to Bristol before emigrating with his parents to the USA in 1908. After some years onstage as a dancer and comedian, he made his first film appearance in The Big Broadcast of 1938 (1938) singing "Thanks for the Memory", which became his signature tune. In partnership with Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour, he appeared in the highly successful "Road to ..." comedies (1940-52), and in many others until the early 1970s. During World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars he spent much time entertaining the troops in the field. For these activities and for his continued contributions to the industry he received five honorary Academy Awards." - IMDb Mini Biography By: Lester A Dinerstein/Robert Sieger
Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation (link) The Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation was established to provide for and to assure the continuation of the philanthropic ideals of Bob & Dolores Hope by supporting organizations that feed, clothe and shelter America’s underprivileged.