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Reader Memories: Bob Hope
May-June 2003
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I NEVER SAW HIM SIT DOWN OR EAT DINNER
As a Federal Civil Service Employee, I was hired to go to Germany to work on the Berlin Airlift. After my arrival I was assigned as the Civilian Payroll Supervisor. The mission of our office, which included one other American and 22 Germans, was unloading the trucks and loading the Airlift planes with thousands of tons of food, clothing, medical supplies, and other items needed by our military personnel and the German people in Berlin.
It was December of 1948 when the word went out that Bob Hope and his USO troop where going to Berlin for his Christmas show; later we learned that he was going to stop at Rhein/Main Air Force Base to do one show before going to Berlin. Everyone was looking forward to seeing him at the base theater, but on the afternoon of his arrival it began to snow. When I left work at 5:00 p.m. there was a long line of GIs waiting in the snow to see him. The show wasn't to start until 8:00 p.m. I went on to the Officer's Club to meet with friends to have dinner. When we arrived in the Dining Room they had several tables marked "reserved." This was not an unusual practice since we had members of Congress, top ranking generals, and other dignitaries who dropped by to see how the airlift was going. So we moved on to the next table. After ordering dinner we heard a commotion near the door; I looked up, and there was Bob Hope, Irving Berlin and his wife, Jinx Falkenburg and Tex McCrary, and all the members of his USO troop. Mr. Hope went from table to table making jokes, signing autographs, and shaking hands. I had just bought a magazine with his picture in it, and I asked him to autograph it for me. He autographed my magazine and shook hands with me; I never saw him sit down and have dinner.
I was told that he had already been to the Enlisted Club and had done the same thing. Later the people who were lucky enough to see his show said that he came out in his shorts, undershirt, shoes, socks, and a golf club and performed his entire show in his underwear.
Happy 100th Birthday, Bob Hope, from the millions of military personnel and a few lucky civilians that you and your USO troop entertained all those many years. This American is truly grateful.
Patsy Kelly Hull
Jacksonville, NC
IT WAS LIKE GETTING A LETTER FROM HOME
I had the privilege of seeing your show. I think it was Christmas of 1967 at Chu-Chi, Vietnam. You will never know the affect it had on the morale of the troops. It was like getting a letter from home and was especially special to me as I had my wife and six children back home.
Thank you, Mr. Hope, and have a wonderful 100th birthday.
John L. Bass
Van Buren, AR
WAS THIS THE START OF A CONCERT TRADITION?
Having served in World War II in the South West Pacific with the 24th Infantry Division, I was lucky to have seen Mr. Bob Hope with Jerry Colona and Frances Langford in one of their USO appearances with Les Brown's band.
The engineers had built a stage in a basin-type of terrain, and all the GIs sat on the sides to watch the show.
When it got dark, Mr. Hope made the remark about while he was on stage he could see all the fellows lighting up cigarettes and how it was a never ending thing; he said he would count up to 3, and the engineers would turn off all the lights, and at that moment all the GIs should light a match or lighter and see the effect. When he counted to 3, everyone that had a match or lighter lit them, and the area lit up like you wouldn't believe. It was amazing how much light came from a match or lighter because of the many GIs that were present.
The show was a very special event and was enjoyed by everyone.
Mr. Bob Hope is a true patriot in every sense of the word, and I wish our Post Office or Government would honor him with a stamp while he is still with us.
There is no way you can measure the pleasure Mr. Hope and those with him brought to a great many servicemen when we needed it most. God bless you and all who traveled with you and hope your birthday is as happy as you made us. "Thanks for the Memories".
Milton Eager
Newburgh, NY
GUARDING MS. LANGFORD
I was in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division stationed in Kairouan, North Africa.
We had just returned from our combat parachute jump into Sicily. Bob Hope and his USO group, including Frances Langford, came and did two shows that were really appreciated by the 5,000 paratroopers and glider men of the 82nd Airborne Division.
The morning after one of the shows, I was on guard duty in front of Frances Langford's tent. Bob Hope came down the path, and I halted him, saying, "Stop and be recognized." He came forward and said, "I want to thank you for taking such good care of her, and I'll bet you would have shot anyone who would have tried to molest her." It was then that I had a good answer for him. I remarked "You bet I would have, if I'd had any bullets in my rifle." The look of surprise on his face was something to see. He did not say anything—just turned around and went on to the chow line.
I did not have time to tell him I really had a full clip in my carbine and a round in the barrel as we Airborne were always ready for any kind of action.
I wanted to thank him and his group for the show that helped bring us a bit of home and let us know we were not forgotten and remind us what we were fighting for.
Former Sgt. John P. Radermacher
Oshkosh, WI
BOB HOPE: PHILANTHROPIST
I first met Bob through my son-in-law and his next door friend, Mike Gates. Mike is a local attorney in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. His dad, Bob Gates, was Bob Hope's pilot from WWII through the Vietnam War. Col. Gates flew the first paratroopers over the Channel and dropped them behind the lines on D-Day. Shortly after, he was assigned as Bob's pilot (and became his life-long friend) to fly Bob and the entertainers to the USO shows.
I have been a fan of Bob Hope's dating back to the Pepsodent radio show in the 30s and 40s and TV shows for many years. Bob started Bob Hope Village in Shalimar to provide affordable housing for enlisted widows and widowers of enlisted personnel. He brought in entertainers to perform in his shows for many years to raise money for his village.
I talked with Gates this past Christmas. He visited with Bob and Dolores recently. In January this year Bob and Dolores gave a donation of $1 million to honor their old friend. At the groundbreaking ceremony for the 6,000 square foot Welcome Center/auditorium, Bob Hope's son, Kelly, made the presentation for his Dad and Mother. He stated that Col. Gates took care of his Dad when they were on trips all over the world and brought him back home. It was a great honor to meet and talk to this great American and legend.
Preston Hayes
Rome, GA
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