Leslie Townes "Bob" Hope
(1903-2003)
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Bob Hope brought laughter to millions of US service men and women for over 60 years, entertaining troops
in every conflict from World War II to Desert Shield He was born Leslie Townes Hope in Eltham, England on
May 29, 1903 and his family emigrated to the USA in 1907. Hope said "I left England at the age of four when I found out I couldn't be King." Starting in World War II Bob Hope sacrificed almost every Christmas to be with the troops wherever they were and became the serviceman's best friend. Bob loved the troops and he loved
being with them. These pages are a tribute to the man who brought so much joy to so many people, military and civilian, and became a true American Idol. Just two months after his 100th birthday on July 27, 2003, Bob passed away in his California home. He has been and still will be missed by millions. From me to you Bob, Thanks for the memories.


July 27, 1945: Bob Hope seen entertaining the troops in England.



October 26, 1950: Bob Hope with troops from X Corps. in Wonsan, North Korea. (The city had been captured only 16 days earlier by U.S. and South Korean forces.)



December 26, 1950: Bob Hope golfing on the USS Ticonderoga CVA-14 off the coast of Vietnam.



February 1951: Bob Hope having just arrived on the USS Missouri BB-63.
(Courtesy of Amory Houghton III, U.S.N.)



April 1983: Ann Jillian (left), Bob Hope and Cathy Lee Crosby during a USO show for US Marines in Beirut, Lebanon.



December 24, 1983: USS New Jersey BB-62 off the coast of Beirut, Lebanon preparing for the USO Christmas show with Bob Hope.
(Photo courtesy of Steven Whipple, U.S.N.)



December 24, 1983: Crewmen cover almost every open space on the deck of USS New Jersey BB-62 for the USO Christmas show.
(Photo courtesy of Steven Whipple, U.S.N.)



December 24, 1983: Bob Hope followed by Kathy Lee Crosby, Miss USA Judy Hyek and Brooke Shields on board USS New Jersey BB-62.
(Photo courtesy of Steven Whipple, U.S.N.)



December 24, 1983: Brooke Shields seen on USS New Jersey BB-62.
(Photo courtesy of Steven Whipple, U.S.N.)



December 24, 1983: Ann Jillian seen on USS New Jersey BB-62.
(Photo courtesy of Steven Whipple, U.S.N.)



December 24, 1983: Bob Hope making his way to the stage for the Christmas Show on USS New Jersey BB-62.
(Photo courtesy of Steven Whipple, U.S.N.)





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Page created Nov. 1, 2007