A pivotal moment in Hollywood philanthropy occurred on May 6, 1941, when Bob Hope took the stage at an Army Air Corps Base in Riverside, California, for the first-ever USO Camp Show. This marked the beginning of a long tradition of entertainment for U.S. troops.

The United Service Organization (USO), launched that year at the suggestion of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was a non-governmental agency created to provide support and recreation for the increasing number of U.S. soldiers preparing for deployment during World War II. It was a groundbreaking partnership involving the YMCA, YWCA, Salvation Army, Jewish Welfare Board, Catholic Community Charities, and Travelers Aid Society, and it set a precedent for modern philanthropic organizations.

While the USO was already in place, it was Bob Hope who transformed it into a beloved cause. His dedication to entertaining soldiers set the tone for decades of stars visiting military bases around the world. From Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra to Scarlett Johansson and Jon Stewart, countless actors, singers, and comedians traveled to war zones in Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan, bringing a touch of Hollywood glamour to the front lines.

Hope continued his tradition of entertaining the troops for 50 years, including a final tour in 1990 during the Gulf War. At 87, he performed in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, earning the nickname "G.I. Bob" from the soldiers. Hope passed away in July 2003 at the age of 100, leaving behind a legacy of entertainment and patriotism that lasted more than eight decades.