Today would have been Bob Hope’s 110 Birthday.  His support for US Troops is well know, having performed for soldiers overseas as part of the USO in every major conflict from WWII to Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.  During the Vietnam War he traveled to Vietnam numerous times, performing every Christmas from 1964-1972.  A 1997 Act of Congress named Bob Hope an “Honorary Veteran.”  The following is just one of the many images of Bob Hope and his shows available online in the Virtual Vietnam Archive, and you can see many of them here.

Off The Coast Of Viet Nam – Hollywood comedian Bob Hope joins dancers Harold and Fagard Nicholas in a dance step aboard the US aircraft carrier Ticonderoga. Mr. Hope headed a troupe of noted entertainers that included Jerry Colonna, Carol Baker, Anita Bryant, Les Brown and his band, and others, who performed at military facilities in South Vietnam. The 42,000-ton attack carrier and its 70 aircraft are operating with the US 7th Fleet in support of the Republic of Vietnam. [VA000699 – Douglas Pike Collection (photo taken by Vietnam Photo Service).

On this Memorial Day, the Vietnam Center and Archive remembers all of the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for us and our freedom.  Thank you.

In honor of Memorial Day, the Vietnam Center and Archive will be closed today.