Comments on: Bob Hope's Vietnam Christmas Tours

By: Tom Nelson

Tom Nelson — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:18:21 +0000

I always said "Bob Hope saved me from getting a broken Leg".
I stayed till the end of the show,which made me late for the helicopter mission I was to be on in 1964. My replacement receive a broken leg when the helicopter's rough landing through him out and the ski landed on his leg.

By: Hoshi

Hoshi — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:46:51 +0000

I also saw the 1968 show. It was on Christmas eve aboard the aircraft carrier USS Hancock CVA-19. After the show I sat 3 rows behind them at midnight mass. The most memorable Christmas ever. Mr. Hope "Thanks for the memory".

By: sutton

sutton — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:33:00 +0000

One of the fondest memories I'll ever have in my life was seeing Bob, Ann Margaret, Penelope Plummer (Miss World), the Golddiggers, Rosie Greer and Les Brown in Da Nang in 1968. Not only did I fall madly in love with Ann Margaret, but also with Bob Hope for giving so much to us. He was one of the few entertainers who cared about us, unlike Jane *** Fonda! Does anyone remember the exact date of that Da Nang show in '68?

By: weazle

weazle — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 16:05:54 +0000

It was the one of the best christmas seeing the bob hope christmas
show in da nang lola falana put on the best show i ever saw.
fat city 1970-1971

By: 12/23/67: Deer Hunting | NC to Vietnam

12/23/67: Deer Hunting | NC to Vietnam — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 12:09:44 +0000

[...] Bob Hope will be in An Khe the 25th. I don’t know if I’ll get to go in or not, but I’m going to try. Sure would like to see the show. [...]

By: Bob Quinn

Bob Quinn — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:10:21 +0000

I saw the Bob Hope USO Tour Show at Qui Nhon in 1966 while temporarily attached to the 92nd Aviation Co. I was in the USAF transitioning the CV-2 Caribou to the Air Force. Phyliss Diller, Joey Heatherton and the Korean Kittens were among the many entertainers. It was a great show. Bob Hope was amazing. May he rest in peace.
People that have not been in a similar situation will never know what selfless acts of as the USO Tour entertainers mean to service personnel away from home.

By: Jerry D

Jerry D — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 04:22:16 +0000

I was assighned to the mini-gun shop at Can Rahn Bay when they ask if anyone wanted to go see Bob Hope at Bien Hoa.Icouldnt believe I would have a chance.I had always watched the xmas tours on tv every and wondered what it be like to be part of the experience.I got on a c-130 and went.When I got to the amphitheater and saw all the excitement,my adrenalin was pumping.Ifound a seat about half way up on the left side facing the stage.Some guys had a couple of frisbies throwing them and passing them on.The memory of what happened next will stick out in mind forever.It seems like yesterday;wounded GI's in hospital gowns and in beds were being escorted to the front of the theater for up front seats.Everyone was standing and cheering them and I was proud to be part of it.

By: Al Jokela

Al Jokela — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 01:41:25 +0000

I was in the 552 MP Company Plantation Base Camp next to Long Binh in 1971 into 1972. The Bob Hope Show was coming to Long Binh and they asked for volunteers to provide security for the show. I volunteered. Everyone laughed at me for volunteering as they suggested I would be pulling gun jeep patrols on the perimeter. I reported to Long Binh still thinking that maybe I would be guarding the perimeter. It turned out that I was stationed at the base of the stage and met all the members of the show that were traveling and were to perform with Hope. What an experience!!
I met Jim Nabors, Vida Blue, and Phyllis George. The one thing that stands out in my mind as I was standing there was when a LT Gen came on the stage and was being booed by the troops. His comment was "Guess you did not come here to see me but who did you come to see? A couple of thousand GI's screamed Bob Hope!!
Nearly 30 years later I saw the taping of that show but was unable to find myself. They did show the segment of the General asking the question "Who do you want to see?" Never showed any of the GI's booing.

By: Ron Ramon

Ron Ramon — Sat, 07 May 2011 12:12:59 +0000

Read your comments and was another one who attended two Hope Shows. First was at Korat Thiland in 1966 with Miss World from India I think and Raquel Welch, Korean Kittens and more. 388 TFW. Second was at Long Bien Viet Nam 1968 while I served my second tour I had volunteered for at the Bien Hoa Air Base 303 MMS. I have pictures of both but seeing others brings back many memories of friends and times past.
Ron

By: Joe Sobecki

Joe Sobecki — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 02:49:27 +0000

When Bob Hope landed at Tan Son Nhut airport on 12/24/64, I was there along with a buddy assigned to escort any of his technicians, who wanted to, tour the 'safe areas' of Saigon. It was a thrill being a young PFC draftee to see Hope and his company land and debark from their aircraft. Hope and the stars rode away in individual sedans were the technicians and us rode in a Navy grey school bus. Before we left the airport, the Brinks was attacked. Our mission changed as we now searched the Majestic Hotel where the technicians were staying for explosives even though we had no idea what to look for. Survivors of the Brinks were also billeted at the Majestic. The next day Bob Hope's show was a hit and he did joke about "a hotel leaving town" as he came in. The crowd laughed. Hope and his troupe stayed at French Hotels and the tab should have been picked up by the USO. Hope worked with the USO. He risked his life for decades to entertain the troops. God bless his soul.