Monthly Archives: December 2009

Bob Hope USO Show


Christmas Day 1970

It was going to be another hot sunny day in Vietnam, but this would go down as one of my most memorable days by far.

A hand full of Charlie Troopers including Roy McDonald and myself hitched a ride in the back of a 3/4 ton Jeep and headed to Long Binh to attend the Bob Hope USO Christmas Show.

I was fortunate enough to be Charlie Troop’s mail clerk when Christmas Day rolled around. Had I still been with the Blues, I would not have made the trip.

Bob was accompanied by Les Brown & his Band of Renown, Miss Universe, Jennifer Hosten, Lola FaLana, Johnny Bench and the Gold Diggers.

This is where I sat on that hot and sunny Christmas Day. A few GI’s climbed trees and telephone poles to get a better view of the stage.

The show ended with everyone singing “Silent Night” and not a dry eye anywhere.

The Golddiggers

Lola Falana

Johnny Bench

The following four photos were taken by Staff Sgt Dave Roger at the 1969 Bob Hope Christmas Show in Lai Khe.

The show lasted 2 1/2 hours and included Connie Stevens, The Goldiggers, Theresa Graves from Laugh – In, Miss World from Austria, Les Brown and his Band of Renown, and surprise guest Neil Armstrong.

In Dave’s letters home, he described how emotional it was to hear Silent Night; not a dry eye to be found.

National Salute to Bob Hope & the Military – San Diego, CA

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