Above: Marilyn Monroe receives an escort while in Korea for her USO tour.
In February 1954 shortly after marrying Joe DiMaggio, Marilyn Monroe took a detour from a trip in Japan to entertain the troops in Korea. She performed ten shows in four days, in front of audiences that totaled more than 100,000 soldiers and marines.
She later spoke about the experience: “[the trip] was the best thing that ever happened to me. I never felt like a star before in my heart. It was so wonderful to look down and see a fellow smiling at me.”
[4 photos]
Above: Marilyn Monroe greets the troops during her Korea USO tour.
Above: Marilyn Monroe appears onstage entertaining troops on her USO tour through Korea in 1954.
Above: Marilyn Monroe pauses for a photograph while in Korea for a USO tour.
All photos are from the Robert H. McKinley Collection (COLL/4802) at the Marine Corps Archives and Special Collections. OFFICIAL USMC PHOTOGRAPHS
Image source and copyright: Some rights reserved by Marine Corps Archives & Special Collections. Information source.
We just love your blog and think it is fabulous and we would like to nominate you for a One Lovely Blog Award! X Natalie & Elaine
thats so nice of you, thank you Natalie & Elaine! Appreciate it!
Wow – only Marilyn could look that hot in army gear!
I know, how did she do it?!
Ravishing Marilyn, gone too soon
I think part of what makes these photos so beautiful is her genuine smile…she seems legitimately happy to be in Korea, entertaining the troops. Truly lovely.