United Service Organizations

he United Service Organizations Inc. (USO Show) is a nonprofit organization that provides programs services and live entertainment to United States troops and their families. Since 1941 it has worked in partnership with the Department of Defense (DOD) relying heavily on private contributions and on funds goods and services from various corporate and individual donors. Although congressionally chartered it is not a government agency. The USO operates 160 centers worldwide. During World War II the USO became the G.I.'s "home away from home" and began a tradition of entertaining the troops that continues today. Involvement in the USO was one of the many ways in which the nation had come together to support the war effort with nearly 1.5 million Americans having volunteered their services in some way. After it was disbanded in 1947 it was revived in 1950 for the Korean War after which it also provided peacetime services. During the Vietnam War USOs were sometimes located in combat zones.