The story of wartime entertainment is not only music and glamour—it’s one of resilience, bravery, and the women who raised morale when the world was at its darkest. From World War II battlefields to the Vietnamese camps, these performers provided soldiers with their most precious commodity: hope, laughter, and a taste of home. Most risked not only their comfort but their lives to entertain the troops. Let’s count down nine incredible women whose war legacies are still felt to this day.
9. Martha Raye – “Colonel Maggie” and the Troops’ Darling
Martha Raye began entertaining soldiers in 1942, and her dedication extended from World War II through Korea and Vietnam. Called “Colonel Maggie” by the soldiers, she was more than an entertainer: she rolled up her shirtsleeves, played poker, cracked jokes, and even gave physical exams to wounded soldiers. Her strong connection with the Green Berets created a legend in her own right, remembered more as one of them than as a Hollywood actress.
8. Loretta Lynn – Country Comfort Abroad
The queen of country music took a little bit of home to troops far from home. Loretta Lynn was the headliner on the 1988 USO Christmas tour with Conway Twitty, entertaining troops abroad. She often testified that her relationship with troops was very personal, and the smiles she put on their faces for Christmas made her one of the greatest artists to ever step onto the USO stage.
7. Diahann Carroll – Shattering Barriers, Onstage and Off
Diahann Carroll broke barriers when she became the first African American woman to star in hen television series in 1968 with Julia. But she also brought that pioneering ethos to the stage, joining USO tours and performing for soldiers during the Vietnam War. Her mere presence shattered stereotypes and helped inspire countless others, demonstrating that representation is important even in the unlikeliest of corners.
6. Raquel Welch – A Flash of Glamour in Vietnam
When Raquel Welch accompanied Bob Hope to Saigon in 1967, she brought celebrity and dynamism that charged the audience. GIs adored her dance numbers—particularly her duet with Hope on “Dancing in the Streets.” For guys who hadn’t seen home base in months, Welch’s charm and personality were a shining, unforgettable experience amid a war zone.
5. Lola Falana – The Complete Entertainer
Singer, dancer, actress, model—Lola Falana did it all, and she brought all of that ability to the stage during her USO tours in Vietnam. Singing with Bob Hope and wowing crowds with her versatility, Falana was a crowd-pleaser. Her ability to relate to troops left its mark, which has lasted generations.
4. Joan Crawford – Hollywood Royalty with a Soldier’s Heart
Joan Crawford was a Hollywood superstar, but she was equally devoted to serving the troops. Starting during WWI, I worked with the USO, and she continued to make appearances for soldiers deep into the 1970s. In 1965, she was the first-ever USO Woman of the Year, and at her death, she left some of her estate to the organization. Crawford didn’t merely donate her name—she donated her heart.
3. Marlene Dietrich – Courage Under Fire
Marlene Dietrich was not afraid of danger. She traveled with the USO in North Africa, Italy, France, and Germany, singing mere miles from the front. In Anzio, she was the first performer to visit rescued soldiers. Her 11-month tour across Europe became legendary, not only for the music but for the bravery she demonstrated in standing alongside the troops she adored.
2. Dinah Shore – A Voice of Resilience
Before she was a household name, Dinah Shore overcame polio as a child—proof of her resilience long before she sang a single note. That spirit carried into her career and her USO tours, where she became a favorite among soldiers. Known simply as “Dinah,” she brought warmth and optimism that resonated deeply with service members during and after the war.
1. Marilyn Monroe – The Hollywood Gift to Korea
In 1954, shortly after her honeymoon with Joe DiMaggio, Marilyn Monroe made a trip to South Korea to entertain American soldiers. The war had recently concluded, but troops remaining there were given a once-in-a-lifetime experience: Monroe illuminating the stage with her music and trademark wit. To many who were present, it was the service highlight—and it is one of the most memorable USO moments in history.
Carole Landis – The True “Jill in a Jeep”
Carole Landis was more than just a pretty pin-up girl—she was one of the most prolific performers of WWII. She, Kay Francis, Martha Raye, and Mitzi Mayfair traveled bases throughout Europe and North Africa, experiences she later wrote about in her autobiography Four Jills in a Jeep. The book was adapted into a 1944 film, with Landis and the other performers portraying themselves. Her own life was cut short in 1948, but her wartime commitment placed an unforgettable stamp on Hollywood and the USO.
These women were not just entertainers—they were lifelines. With music, comedy, dance, and presence, they provided soldiers with a touch of home and a smile. Their fearlessness and empathy transformed entertainment into something greater: a legacy of hope that continues to inspire today.