On December 22 1968 Bob’s “Operation Holly” performed at Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. This video records that event. The original film was silent, so the audio from his performance at Long Binh Army Depot that same Christmas is dubbed onto the video.
Continued…….Cam Ranh Bay: Bob Hope Christmas Show 1968 Pt
Each Christmas show ended with everyone singing “Silent Night”. I don’t think I will ever be able to sing that song or hear it for the rest of my life without crying and feeling that I am right back there again with the troops and Bob Hope and the rest of the entertainers. It truly was not the end to a visit with the troops but a beginning of new friendships that have lasted over the years. And each one living in my heart. ~ Wild Thing
Thank You Wild Thing! For your support in the 60’s and ever since. I am very glad you have this blog site and have enjoyed meeting you and becoming friends.You represent a lot of very decent people famous and not so famous that came over to Vietnam to show support for us troops. Some of these people paid a price by being ostracized by the entertainment industry. Hollywood may have spurned them, but God won’t.
Were you one of the Golddiggers and were you on the Dean Martin Show? That was one of my favorite tv shows of all times.
Thanks for the memories Chrissie. Thank you for being there and for supporting us all along the way. This is the time of year that depression can set in without a diversion and a touch of home, you and Bob Hope provided that for us.
Merry Christmas
As I watched the videos and then closed my eyes I pictured Bob Hope in Iraq and Afghanistan and some very funny monologues of those locations and situations. Those TV specials were something to behold.
Thanks for the memories.
Tom, I am so glad to know you too. It means so very much to me.
And yes I was one of the back up Golddiggers in case someone got sick. And I did 2 of the Dean Martin shows. It was fun and lots of wonderful memories.
Jack I thank you, I am so glad I got to know you.
Les, yes, Bob Hope sure would be going to see our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
I loved his TV specials too.
Merry Christmas Eve and ‘Stille Nacht…What Child Is this…. & O Holy Night’ are my top three Christmastime yuletide seasonal CHRISTMAS songs of all time! Happy Birthday Jesus!! WE haven’t forgotten the ‘Forgotten War’ nor the Vietnam War’s patriots. Frohe Weihnachten.
Chrissie,
I watched those videos, straining to see if I could catch a glimpse of my father, who was in Viet Nam in 1968.
Thank you for preserving these memories.
Bob Hope was THE class act.
I always watched his specials, knowing that he was doing them for our soldiers in harm’s way.
He was a very special American and a very special man.
Merry Christmas!
Hi Darth, thank you, I love those songs.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Melissa, I will send you a page in my website where there are more photos you can see if he is in one of them. Thank you for sharing about your Dad.
Merry Chritsmas Melissa and to your family too.
“Right now God is being roasted by Dean Martin in the Pearly Gates Theatre on Cloud #9… second right after the Milky Way! Bing Crosby is the MC (Master of Ceremony) for today’s ‘PC’ crowd… and the Rat Pack is suppose to open the celebrity roast!” – Arch Angel Gabriel
I loved those USO shows!! My Mom and I would always watch them together. I so miss Bob Hope.
We watched Dean Martin too ~ I bet I saw you!! ~;o)
Bless you for all you did and do now.
I was there,but did not get to see you or thr USO shows,but we would hear from some the men who was there to watch. I have know about you for years and have seen you photo and read about you, so here and now we talk by email,we both have websites up and running,you have become a part of my life that no one or no thing can replace,you have become a great friend to me and all who have service this great country,GOD BLESS YOU AND FAMILY AND A MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR
YOUR FRIEND FOR LIFE,
USN/USNR/BT3 Edward Lee Mc Intosh
I was at Cam Ranh Bay at the same time but could
not get to see the show We brought a couple river boats up to get fixed I have great respect for
Bob Hope and you Chrissie also the rest of the USO
I would like to wish you and Nick a Merry Christmas
and a very happy new year