United Service Organizations
The United Service Organizations Inc. (USO) offers recreational support for members of the U.S. military. The USO provides programs in 140 centers worldwide funded by private and public donations and support from the United States Department of Defense. It is not a government agency.
| Type | Services |
|---|---|
| Founded | 4 February 1941[1] |
| Headquarters | Arlington, Va |
| Key people | Sloan D. Gibson President and CEO |
| Area served | 140 centers worldwide |
| Focus | morale, welfare, recreational support for US military personnel and families |
| Revenue | Donations |
| Volunteers | 44,000 |
| Motto | Until Every One Comes Home |
| Website | USO Home |
History: Dances were one kind of activity held by (local) organizations that were part of USO; These dances happened often during World War Two, and during the Korean war.[2]
USO Tours
USO works to boost military morale. Since 1941, the USO became the soldier's "home away from home" and began a tradition of entertaining the troops with live performances called Camp Shows that continues today. These "tours" typically feature big name actors or actresses, comedians, pop musicians, and pin-up models.
Support and services
The USO serves both in time of war and during time of peace. During the 1990s, the USO provided services to 5 million active duty service members and their families, and more support after start of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.
United Service Organizations Media
- Uso-show-mickey-rooney.jpg
Actor Mickey Rooney, a World War II Bronze Star recipient, honoring the USO in 2000
- Irving Berlin aboard the USS Arkansas, 944.jpg
Irving Berlin singing aboard USS Arkansas, 1944
- SC 191837-S - A GI gets an armful of beauty as a U.S.O. camp show puts on their first entertainment for American troops on the Continent (50064074473).jpg
Female USO troupe entertaining an American soldier, 1944.
US Coast Guard, 1st show in Vietnam, 1970
- Jolson-Korea.jpg
Al Jolson, the first star to perform in Korea, September 17, 1950
- Marilyn Monroe - 1954.JPG
Marilyn Monroe performing in Korea, 1954
- Thousands of service personnel listen to Miss Ann-Margret sing one of her numbers during her show in Danang, Vietnam. - NARA - 532506.tiff
Ann-Margret performing in Vietnam, 1966
- Julie Hayek USO Tour.jpg
Entertainers during a Christmas Eve USO show in 1983 on board the USS New Jersey off the coast of Beirut, Lebanon. (left to right) Miss USA Julie Hayek, Cathy Lee Crosby, Bob Hope, Ann Jillian and Brooke Shields.
- Bob Hope and Ann Jillian.jpg
Bob Hope and Ann Jillian perform at the USO Christmas Tour during Operation Desert Shield
- All together- Tichina Arnold, Zack Brown, Kid Rock, Kathleen Madigan, Kellie Pickler, John Bowman and Lewis Black.JPG
Tichina Arnold, Zac Brown, Kid Rock, Kathleen Madigan, Kellie Pickler, John Bowman, and Lewis Black at 2008 USO Holiday Tour in Kandahar, Afghanistan
References
- ↑ "Our Proud History: Important Dates in USO History". USO Web Site. USO Inc. Retrieved 2010-05-17.
- ↑ https://www.uso.org/stories/149-in-the-uso-s-early-years-hostesses-provided-a-wholesome-morale-boost#:~:text=USO%20hostesses%2C%20young%20American%20women,%7C%20Photo%20credit%20USO%20photo. Retrieved 2025-07-03
Other websites
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- Official website
- USO Clubs in World War II
- Re-enacted WWII tour, from Jolson Sings Again (1949) at YouTube
- President Bush speech USO World Gala, 2008: Text and video, Oct. 1, 2008