In God We Trust
To add the names or photographs of any USO volunteers who entertained troops during the Korean War, contact Lynnita at [Please enable JavaScript.] in Illinois or write Lynnita Brown, 111 E. Houghton St., Tuscola, IL 61953.
Adams, Frankie - female ballet, soft shoe, and tap dancer (Her stage name was Kathy Bryan. She danced in USO tours in Korea in 1954 and 1956.)
Addams, Victoria Dawn - entertained the troops in Korea December 1952/January 1953
Akst, Harry - pianist for Al Jolson, music composer Korea 1950
Allan, Richard - USO Korea December 1952
American Beauties - performed with Bob Hope at Camp Casey 1972
Andes, Keith - Born John Charles Andes on July 12, 1920 in Ocean City, New Jersey, Andes was Marilyn Monroe's leading man in the 1952 film, "Clash by Night". During his three years in the Army Air Force, he sang and acted in USO shows, including in Korea. He died November 11, 2005 in Santa Clarita, California.
Ates, Roscoe - best known for his role as western character "Soapy Jones", he was on the 1952 Christmas tour to Korea
Auld, Georgie - saxophone player
Baron, Lita - USO December 1952
Barry, Red - with Mickey Rooney, October 1952
Beal, Eddie - toured with the first all Negro USO entertainment package during the Korean war. They did a three-week tour of Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and Hawaii.
Bell Sisters - See Strother.
Benny, Jack - He and his troupe performed in Korea in June/July of 1951. He was 57 years old at the time.
Bradley, Bernard
Les Brown & Orchestra - performed in Bob Hope's October 1950 show in Korea
Brown, Sawyer - performed in USO tour in South Korea in the 1980s. The opening act was by future country music superstar Craig Morgan. "Sawyer Brown is an American country music band. It was founded in 1981 in Apopka, Florida, by Mark Miller, Gregg "Hobie" Hubbard, Bobby Randall, Joe "Curly" Smyth, and Jim Scholten. The five musicians were originally members of country singer Don King's road band, but chose to stay together after King retired in 1981. After competing on the television competition series Star Search and winning that show's grand prize, they signed to Capitol Records in 1984. The band recorded for Capitol between then and 1991, and for Curb Records between then and 2005, except for a short time in 2003 when they were signed to Lyric Street Records. Duncan Cameron, formerly of the Amazing Rhythm Aces, replaced Randall in 1991, and Shayne Hill replaced him in 2004." [Source: Bing]
Bruner, Jane - pianist with Jack Benny's troupe in June 1951
Bryan, Kathy - See Frankie Adams.
Bryant, Anita (stateside)
Burger, Jack - known as Mr. Bongos, he was born November 2, 1925 in New York City and died June 20, 2008 in Camarillo, California. He participated in USO tours in Korea and Vietnam.
Burr, Raymond - Raymond Burr and Cary Grant visited dozens of hospitals throughout the Combat Zone. Mr. Burr gave readings of poetry and scenes from well-known movies that fascinated his audiences, who gave him standing ovations. April, May, June 1953
Busse, Norma V. - A member of the US Army in 1952, she received the assignment to be the Assistant Director of Special Services for Asia, coordinating USO entertainment tours for Japan and Korea.
Butler, Toby - bass player
Butler, Tommy - toured with the first all Negro USO entertainment package during the Korean war. They did a three-week tour of Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and Hawaii.
Calhoun, Rory - March 1953 show with Mrs. Calhoun
Carpenter, Carlton - Christmas 1952 tour in Korea. At that time he was Debbie Reynolds' boyfriend.
Castenda, Movita - Marlon Brando's 2nd wife USO show Korea December 1952
Chesnutt, Mark - country music singer performed in Korea in 2009 and 2010.
Colonna, Jerry
Cotton, Carolina - Known as the Yodeling Blonde Bombshell, Carolina was a regular on the USO tour. From 1952 to 1954 she had her own show on Armed Forces Radio entitled, "Carolina Cotton Calls." Found on the Carolina Cotton website: 1952-53, KOREA (poss. Tokyo, Japan) - USO Camp Shows - Performers: Carolina Cotton, Paul Douglas, Walter Pidgeon, Roscoe Ates, Rory Calhoun, Peggy Stewart, Debbie Reynolds, Jan Sterling, Keenan Wynn, Movita Castaneda, Carleton Carpenter (There was a slight plane detour, on the way to Korea...instead of the planned stopover in Hawaii, the plane had landed in Alaska. Needless to say, the troupe was surprised, as they were dressed in summer clothes!) Tour: Left Los Angeles for Korea (12/19/52) / Tokyo, Japan (12/23-24/52) / Korea, at Airbase, 12/24/ Korea (Christmas, 12/25/52) / Korea, battle front, in makeshift circus tent, 10th Corps area / Korea, 12/27 / Korea, New Years Eve show, 12/31/52 / Korea, where Carolina made her 3rd visit there, performing on the front lines, and performance on USS Constitution (1/2/53) / Korea (1/5/53)
Cutler, Billy - According to an article in Billboard dated August 8, 1953, Cutler was to be part of a country western troupe traveling to Tokyo, Manila, Korea, and the Hawaiian Islands for four and a half months. Billy and Ray Van had a specialty act in the show
Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders - Their first USO appearance in Korea was in 1979. Since then they have performed in Korea more than 25 times.
Daniels, Charlie - country music Korea 2009
Davis, Ann B. - Miss Davis starred as the housekeeper Alice Nelson on The Brady Bunch Show and the secretary on the Bob Cummings Show. She went on a 35-day tour of Korea in 1968.
Davis, Eddie - toured with the first all Negro USO entertainment package during the Korean war. They did a three-week tour of Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and Hawaii.
Dead Daisies - USO tour in South Korea October 2016. Band members were: Marco Mendoza, Doug Aldrich, John Corabi, David Lowy, and Brian Tichy.
DeGarmo, Diana - former American Idol contestant performed in USO shows in Korea in March 2015
DiMaggio, Joe - major league ball player who married Marilyn Monroe. Korea February 1954
Douglas, Paul - Taegu, December 1952
Drake, Betsy - (then wife of Cary Grant)
Edwards, Jolie - country music singer performed in Korea in May of 2005.
Ellis, Dorothy Leilani - Miss Hawaii 1953 entertained troops in Korea on Christmas Day 1954.
Falana, Lola - performed in the Bob Hope USO show at Camp Casey in 1972
Ferguson, Pansy Rosella Borror (wife of Troy Ferguson)
Ferguson, Cpl. Troy - country western singer who entertained troops on Okinawa during Korean War.
Fisher, Eddie
Flynn, Errol - entertained wounded troops at Taegu, Korea in July 1951
Football Stars - Andrew Luck (quarterback, Indianapolis), Chuck Pagano (Colts head coach), Dwayne Allen (Colts tight end) and David DeCastro (Pittsburgh Steelers guard) appeared in USO shows in Korea in March of 2015.
Gay, Dolores - tap dancer who served in the Jack Benny troupe in June 1951
Gomez, Eddie - toured with the first all Negro USO entertainment package during the Korean war. They did a three-week tour of Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and Hawaii.
Grant, Cary - Cary Grant and Raymond Burr visited dozens of hospitals throughout the Combat Zone. Mr. Burr gave readings of poetry and scenes from well-known movies that fascinated his audiences, who gave him standing ovations.
Grant, Johnny - performed in the "Buffalo Bowl" in Korea in 1950 and 1952. He was a disc jockey in Los Angeles. Johnny Grant contracted pneumonia while on the spring 1952 USO tour to Korea and was hospitalized when the troupe returned to Los Angeles.
Green, Belinda- Miss World performed with Bob Hope, Camp Casey 1972
Groove, Inc. - Entertained in Korea. Included in the band were Dan Stewart (drummer/vocalist), Shane Barber (keyboard, bass, drums), and Dusty Barber (guitarist and vocalist).
Hamilton, Richard "Rip" - This National Basketball Association legend (three time NBA All-Star) performed at Osan on April 23, 2018.
Harbin, Suzette - toured with the first all Negro USO entertainment package during the Korean war. They did a three-week tour of Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and Hawaii.
Haven, Shirley - toured with the first all Negro USO entertainment package during the Korean war. They did a three-week tour of Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and Hawaii. "My great aunt “Shirley Haven” also toured with the first all Negro USO entertainment package during the Korean war. They did a three-week tour of Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and Hawaii. Included in the troop was Shirley Haven, Eddie Beal, Eddie Gomez, Suzette Harbin, Gene Phillips, Eddie Davis, Clarence Metcalf and Tommy Butler." - Submitted by Toni J. Grandberry
Haysbert, Dennis - This actor performed in USO shows in Korea in March 2015.
Hazelwood, Eddie - According to an article in Billboard dated August 8, 1953, Hazelwood was to be part of a country western troupe traveling to Tokyo, Manila, Korea, and the Hawaiian Islands for four and a half months. Hazelwood represented Intro Records.
Holloway, Max - Ultimate Championship fighter April 2018
Hope, Bob - Christmas 1950, Wonsan; Seoul, October 23, 1950; Camp Casey 1972; Osan AFB December 1968
Hunter, Alberta - blues singer and composer. Born in Memphis, Tennessee on April 1, 1895, this singer/songwriter took a USO troupe to Casablanca during World War II and continued entertaining troops in both theatres for the duration of that war. She then went to Korea on USO tours until the death of her mother in 1954. Alberta Hunter is known for her hit song, "Downhearted Blues". She also recorded four well-received albums, notably Amtrak Blues in 1978. She was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2011. She died October 12, 1984 in New York, New York.
Hutton, Betty - The Betty Hutton Show was held near Kumhwa, Korea, on March 06, 1952. It was one show in a three-week tour of Japan and Korea that started on February 23, 1952. At the Kumhwa show, Betty took her pajamas and sold them to the highest bidder, with all proceeds going to an orphanage in Japan. Betty's birth name was Elizabeth Jane Thornburg.
Irvine, Robert - celebrity chef and talk show host in USO show April 2018
Iseman, Matt - cast member of TV show "Clean House" and winner of the New Celebrity Apprentice show in early 2017
Jeffries, Fran - performed with Bob Hope at Camp Casey 1972
Johnson, Udell - actor
Jolson, Al - performed 42 shows (in just 16 days) in Korea during the first year of the war. Shortly after returning from Korea, he died of a heart attack on October 23, 1950. Jolson was the first entertainer to volunteer to entertain the troops in Korea and paid the trael expense out of his own pocket.
Jones, Jennifer
Jones, Louis Marshall "Grandpa" - country western singer & star on Hee Haw (died 1998)
Jones, Ramona Riggins - country western singer, fiddler & star on Hee Haw (died 2015). She was married to Grandpa Jones. The two performed in USO shows during the Korean War.
Jones, Wanda Madge - She has been in over 10,000 performances, including performances for the USO during World War II and the Korean War.
Kahne, Harry - mentalist who performed in Jack Benny's group in June 1951
Kalich, Jacob - See Molly Picon entry.
Karas, Anton - Australian zither player and composer toured Korea in 1954.
Kaye, Danny - 1952
Kazantsev, Kira - USO shows in Korea March 2015. Ms. Kazantsev was Miss America 2015.
Keith, Toby - country music superstar performed in Korea in 2010
Kelly, Judy - performed in Bob Hope's show in Korea October 1950
Kennedy, Wanda - According to an article in Billboard dated August 8, 1953, Kennedy was to be part of a country western troupe traveling to Tokyo, Manila, Korea, and the Hawaiian Islands for four and a half months. Mrs. Kennedy played the steel guitar.
Kennedy, Robert "Bob" - According to an article in Billboard dated August 8, 1953, Bob Kennedy (Wanda Kennedy's husband) was to be part of a country western troupe traveling to Tokyo, Manila, Korea, and the Hawaiian Islands for four and a half months. Bob played the clarinet. Bob and Wanda Kennedy were members of the Bob Kennedy and the Bandwagon Gang.
Kiewitt, Marjorie - drummer
King, Peggy - performed with Debbie Reynolds during the Christmas tour in 1952. Known as "pretty perky Peggy King" on the George Gobel Show from 1954-1957, she was a frequent guest star on numerous television shows. She was one of the first five stars to appear on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Korean Kittens - This four-member, all-female singing group was led by Yoon Bok-hee. Popular in the mid-1960s, they were known for singing Beatles tunes.
Langford, Frances - This recording artist, radio star and actress from the 1930s to 1950s, joined Hope's troupe to boost wartime morale at military bases and hospitals in Great Britain, Italy, North Africa and the South Pacific. She also entertained new generations of soldiers in Korea and Vietnam.
Laurie, Pieper - She first performed in a USO show in Korea in the winter of 1950 and then returned in the spring of 1952. In her memoir she stated that she got sick on the "crud in the air" and lost her voice. She said that singing was easier on her throat than speaking so she took amphetamines and aspirin until she was able to sing during every show. By the time she got back to the States she was very ill with pneumonia.
Louis, Monica - singer
Love, Denise - singer
Loveless, Patty - country western singer performed in Korea January 2006
Mann, Jerry - Born Jerry Solomon, he performed with a 20-piece USO entertainment unit in Korea in early 1954. His troupe performed concurrently with the Marilyn Monroe and Slapsie Maxwell shows.
Mansfield, Jayne - with Bob Hope in Korea 1957
Margaret, Ann - performed in the Bob Hope USO show at Osan, Korea in 1968
McNeely, Aileen - According to an article in Billboard dated August 8, 1953, McNeely was to be part of a country western troupe traveling to Tokyo, Manila, Korea, and the Hawaiian Islands for four and a half months. Aileen was a vocalist with the troupe.
Merrill, Robert
Metcalf, Clarence - toured with the first all Negro USO entertainment package during the Korean war. They did a three-week tour of Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and Hawaii.
Mid-States Four Barbershop Quartet - Performed 33 shows in 19 days in Korea between June 26, 1951-July 16, 1951.
Milland, Ray
Monroe, Lucy (solo tour in 1953) Lucy was known in the US as the "Star-Spangled Soprano" because she sang at every New York Yankees home game. The Koreans called her the "American Woman Skyscraper" because she was 5'11".
Monroe, Marilyn - February 1954
Moore, Terry - ten-day tour in Korea December 1952. A singer and straight girl for disc jockey Johnny Grant, Miss Moore got in trouble with George Murphy, chairman of the Hollywood committee for the USO, for wearing a red ermine bathing suit that she said made her look like a "little Santa Claus". After four shows she was ordered to pack the suit away or return to the USA.
Morgan, Craig - country western singer. Korea April 2018. He had served a tour of duty in Korea where he won the Army Male Vocalist5 of the Year award.
Morris, Richard - Christmas/New Year's 1952
Mosely, Snub - October/November 1952
Munoz, Eva Maria - mambo dancer whose stage name was Evita "Chachita" Munoz. This Mexican actress, comedian, singer, dancer performed with the King of Mambo, Perez Prado, during the Korean War.
Neal, Patricia - performed at the Bulldozer Bowl in 1952.
O'Connor, Donald
O'Doul, Francis Joseph "Lefty" - major league baseball player who began his big league career with the New York Yankees. He was in a USO show in Korea with Joe DiMaggio.
Ogren, Joe - USO tour to Camp Casey, Korea, in July 2019
Osbourne, Ozzy - performed at Camp Casey February 2002
Pall, Gloria - part of the Slapsie Maxie show in Korea 1954. Born July 15, 1927 in Brooklyn, New York, Gloria Pall (ne Pallatz) was a model, Reno/Las Vegas showgirl, actress, and realtor. In 1945 she was working for the USO on the 5th floor of the Empire State Building when a B-25 bomber crashed into the 79th floor. In 1954 she appeared in seven shows on KABC television as the character "Voluptua." Public outcry over her "torrid" show caused it to be cancelled. Among other films and television shows, she appeared with Elvis in "Jailhouse Rock" and played a role in "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea" and "The Twilight Zone." Gloria Pall died in Burbank, California in December of 1992.
Phillips, Gene - toured with the first all Negro USO entertainment package during the Korean war. They did a three-week tour of Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and Hawaii.
Phillips, Mary - She was a member of the USO troupe "Show Shop Rebels" that performed in Korea in August of 1952. The KWE is looking for the names of the other members of her troupe.
Prado, Damaso Perez - Cuban bandleader, organist, pianist, composer--also known as the "King of the Mambo"
Peters, Elizabeth Jean - born October 15, 1926, Jean joined a USO tour group to Korea in December 1952. She was the on-again/off-again girlfriend of Howard Hughes. Elizabeth Jean Peters Hough died October 13, 2000.
Petry, Marygrace - professional juggler who performed for the troops in Korea in 1951 to the end of the war. She and her father had a juggling act under the stage names Sandra Joyce and Lou Seldon. The father/daughter team performed for active military personnel on duty far away from their homes.
Picon, Molly - This Yiddish theater star performed in the USO Christmas Troupe to Korea in 1951. She performed with her husband, Jacob Kalich. The two of them were on tour with Cardinal Francis Joseph Spellman, vicar general of the US Armed Forces. After their Christmas show was over they offered to call the mothers of any soldiers who wanted them to do so. They came back to the USA with over 400 slips of paper with mother's names and contact information on them. Molly and Jacob called every single mother.
Pidgeon, Walter - entertained troops in Korea December 1952/January 1953
Prince, Deenah - with Mickey Rooney, October 1952
Plummer, Penelope - Miss Australia and Miss World performed with Bob Hope in Osan, December 1968
Raye, Martha - Korea summer of 1952. Tour ended earlier than scheduled due to the fact that she took ill.
Remley, Frank - guitarist with the Jack Benny troupe in June 1951
Reynolds, Debbie (1950/Christmas tour 1952)
Reynolds, Marjorie - member of the Jack Benny troupe in Korea June/July 1951
Roberts, Larry - A member of General Patton's 3rd Army in France, Germany and Austria during World War II, this comedian/actor/entertainer frequently participated in USO shows in Korea.
Rogers, Buddy - December 1952
Rooney, Mickey - October 1952
Rosenbloom, Lapsie Maxie - Born Max Everett Rosenbloom in Leonard Bridge, Connecticut on September 6, 1904, he acquired the nickname "Slapsie Maxie" during his career as a professional boxer. He won the 1930 New York Light Heavyweight title and then the 1932 World Light Heavyweight championship. During his career he fought 289 fights. He retired from boxing in 1939 and opened the Slapsie Maxie Comedy club in California the same year. He acted on radio, television, and motion pictures. His USO troupe performed in Korea in spring of 1954. Slapsie Maxie died March 6, 1976 in South Pasadena, California.
Ruick, Barbara
Sargent, Richard "Dick" - An artist who created more than 40 covers for the Saturday Evening Post, he was commissioned by the USO to travel to Korea in 1954 to sketch portraits of servicemen for families back home. Born in Moline, Illinois, in 1911, he died suddenly in 1978. He was a 1929 graduate of Moline High School.
Sesame Street characters - Korea 2010
Singleton, Penny - "Blondie" from the show "Dagwood and Blondie"
Skelton, Red - USO show in Korea 1957 (58?). His 13 year old son had just died of leukemia a couple weeks before
Sladovnik, Dick (a/k/a Dick Slady) author of Gigs, Guns, & Guilt: a Musician's Tour of the Korean War
Snow, Hank - performed in Korea's "Bulldozer Bowl" in the winter of 1953
Sterling, Jan (Paul Douglas' wife) - Taegu, December 1952
Stevens, Connie - She was 15 years old at the time.
Stewart, Jon - comedian, USO show at Osan AFB on April 23, 2018
Strother, Cynthia and Kay Strother (The Bell Sisters) - performed with the USO on two tours of Korea (Christmas 1953 and 1954). The first time, they travelled with Dick Contino and Roscoe Ates. In 1953, Kay Strother was the youngest USO performer at that time - she was 12 or 13.
Taylor, Myra - Born Myra Jardine Render on February 24, 1917, she was an American jazz zinger and songwriter who performed in USO shows in 32 different countries, including Korea. She died December 09, 2011. She was a member of the first black USO entertainers troupe during World War II. She performed in Korea during the Korean War and in Vietnam.
Thompson, Barbara - According to an article in Billboard dated August 8, 1953, Thompson was to be part of a country western troupe traveling to Tokyo, Manila, Korea, and the Hawaiian Islands for four and a half months. She played the bass.
Tobiason, Beverly - Born the daughter of Walter Tobiason, she and two of her performed with the Bob Hope USO troupe in 1950 as a member of the "Taylor Maids" group. The group was a harmonizing trio.
Tobiason, Jinny - See Beverly Tobiason.
Tobiason, Patricia - See Beverly Tobiason.
Toups, Stephanie - part of a four-person USO troupe that performed at Camp Casey, Korea in July 2019
Tubb, Ernest - performed with Hank Snow in the Bulldozer Bowl in 1953
Tulianello, Lou - Army accordion player who accompanied Lucy Monroe on her US0 tour to Japan and Korea.
Turner, Lana - early 1960s with Bob Hope
Tyrrell, Alice - with Mickey Rooney, October 1952
Van, Ray - According to an article in Billboard dated August 8, 1953, Van was to be part of a country western troupe traveling to Tokyo, Manila, Korea, and the Hawaiian Islands for four and a half months. Ray Van and Billy Cutler had a specialty act.
VanZant, Paige - USO April 2018
Venuta, Benay - member of the Jack Benny troupe in Korea in June 1951
Wakely, Jimmy - member of Bob Hope's show in Korea October 1950
Wetherington, Kristin - part of a four-person USO troupe that performed at Camp Casey, Korea, in July 2019
Whiting, Margaret Eleanor - singer of jazz, pop and country standards (b. 1924/d. 2011)
Widener, Jimmy - According to an article in Billboard dated August 8, 1953, Widener was to be part of a country western troupe traveling to Tokyo, Manila, Korea, and the Hawaiian Islands for four and a half months. He was a guitarist and played the banjo. He later became the lead guitarist for Hank Snow for ten years. He and Mrs. Eddie (Mildred) Hazelwood were murdered on November 27, 1973. Jimmy performed with the late Eddie Hazelwood.
Willard, Jess - According to an article in Billboard dated August 8, 1953, Willard would be acting as manager and emcee for a country western troupe traveling to Tokyo, Manila, Korea, and the Hawaiian Islands for four and a half months. Willard was a Capitol Records artist. Jess was born Jess Willard Griffin on March 28, 1916 in Washburn, Texas. He died May 26, 1959 in Auburn, California. He was named after the champion boxer Jess Willard.
Willcocks, Karley - part of a four-person troupe that performed at Camp Casey, Korea in July 2019
Wills, Mark - country music singer performed in Korea May 2005.
Winslow, Dick - USO show with Mickey Rooney, October 1952
Wynn, Keenan - entertained troops during a 10-day Christmas show in December 1952/January 1953
Young, Ace - former American idol contestant, USO Korea March 2015
Yong, Johnny - entertained with Bob Hope in early 1960s while he was serving with the 1st Cavalry Division in Korea. This German-born entertainer came to the USA in 1954 and was drafted into the Army in 1960. He took basic and language school in California, and then went to the DMZ in Korea with the 1st Cavalry Division. He was stationed 20 miles from the DMZ with the DMZ Border Patrol when Bob Hope, Jerry Colona and Lana Turner gave a USO show in Korea. Hope pulled strings and got Yong to go on the USO show road with him. Johnny Yong performed for years with Ringling Brothers Circus and appeared on numerous TV shows. He joined the Sarasota County Sheriff's office in 1981.