The USO: A Home Away from Home

By Donna Reuss
Alexandria, VA – For many of us, the USO conjures memories of Bob Hope Christmas specials and famous entertainers performing for American troops. Some of us may have even enjoyed these shows in person while stationed around the world.
February 4 marks the 84th anniversary of the USO – United Services Organization, Inc. A congressionally chartered, nonprofit organization operated primarily with volunteers, its mission is “to strengthen the well-being of the people serving in America’s military and their families.”
The USO was founded in 1941, just prior to the onset of America’s involvement in World War II.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt wanted a single organization to provide morale and recreation services to support US troops on the home front. Six civilian entities: The Salvation Army, the YWCA, the National Catholic Community Service, the National Travelers Aid Association, and the the National Jewish Welfare Board united to become the USO, with Roosevelt as its honorary chairman.
The first USO facility was erected in DeRidder, Louisiana. All over the country, community buildings, church halls, and even private residences became USO centers, also called centers or canteens.
The USO strove to be a home away from home for troops, a place to socialize or simply relax. Centers recruited female volunteers to serve doughnuts, dance, and talk with the troops, mostly young men.
Early on, the USO became known for live performances, called “camp shows.”
To show their patriotism, Hollywood actors, producers, radio hosts, and dancers began volunteering as USO entertainers. In October 1941, the USO and entertainment executives created a new branch of the organization: USO Camp Shows, Inc.
USO Camp Shows, Inc. consisted of four circuits. Victory and Blue Circuit troupes entertained stateside, Hospital Circuit troupes visited the wounded, and Foxhole Circuit troupes headed overseas. The Foxhole troupe’s first overseas tour, to the Caribbean, featured Laurel and Hardy, and Chico Marx, At its peak in 1944, the USO had more than 3,000 centers performing 700 shows a day.
Foxhole Circuit performers sometimes placed their lives in danger by traveling or performing in hazardous conditions. During World War II, a number died in the course of their tours, including bandleader Glenn Miller. Some became involved in the Allies’ fight, such as Marlene Dietrich, who served as a spy for the Office of Strategic Services.
Like much of American society and the World War II military of the time, many USOs were segregated. USO policy expressly forbade discrimination based on race or creed; however, separate centers in the same town were not uncommon based on local laws. By 1943, more than 180 of 1,326 USO operations were designated for Black troops.
The USO disbanded in 1947 but reactivated in 1950 for the Korean War. It continued after the end of the conflict, providing peacetime services. The USO was in Vietnam before the first combat troops arrived. The first club opened in Saigon in April 1963.
Today more than 250 USO centers operate at or near military installations across the nation and around the world, including in combat zones, and even un-staffed sites in places too dangerous for anyone but combat troops to occupy. Centers in Saudi Arabia supported troops during Operation Desert Shield. and in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar also had centers during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
While synonymous with entertainment, the USO also offers many specialized programs that support service members and families from enlistment, through assignments and deployments, to transition back to civilian life. Programs include virtual entertainment and family activities, celebrity and athlete meet-and-greets, professional development services, and transition support. The USO Care Package Programs and USO2GO customizable kits deliver toiletries, snacks, electronics, and gaming equipment. The USO Canine Program has therapy dogs, family pets, and military working dogs; Coffee Connections brings spouses together; and the USO Special Delivery Program offers virtual video-call baby showers.
The USO has supported every transfer of remains of the fallen at Dover Air Force Base since March 1991. It works 24/7 to coordinate support and comfort for grieving families traveling to and from Dover. But it is not affiliated with the federal government. The organization relies on donations to support its activities that bring a little taste of home to our deployed military. For more about USO programs, go to www.uso.org.
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If you are a veteran, a veteran’s family member, or know a veteran who needs help, go to Virginia Board Veterans Services at www.dvs.virginia.gov/dvs; dss.virginia.gov/community/211.cgi; contact American Legion Post 24 Veteran Service Officer at [email protected]; or check out the Resources List on the Post 24 website: valegionpost24.com. For crisis intervention and suicide prevention services, dial 988 and Press 1, or text 838255, for the Veterans Crisis Line.