Afternoon all,

 

I am interested in doing a USO entertainer impression in the future, and I wondered if anyone had any originals to share for reference? All I have found so far to give me an idea were a few well-circulated photos of Frank Sinatra in his USO uniform with Phil Silvers.

 

What material was the uniform made out of? Detailed photos of lapel and OS cover insignia would be extremely helpful as well.

 

Guessing due to rarity I'll have to have one tailored and then obtain the insignia.

 

Much appreciated!

 

-VFG

2 hours ago, ViewfinderGyrene said:

Afternoon all,

 

I am interested in doing a USO entertainer impression in the future, and I wondered if anyone had any originals to share for reference? All I have found so far to give me an idea were a few well-circulated photos of Frank Sinatra in his USO uniform with Phil Silvers.

 

What material was the uniform made out of? Detailed photos of lapel and OS cover insignia would be extremely helpful as well.

 

Guessing due to rarity I'll have to have one tailored and then obtain the insignia.

 

Much appreciated!

 

-VFG

Here is an example I have of the overseas cap.  Note that the "piping" is the same color as the cap itself -  material chocolate gaberdine material.  

Like this example, most USO uniforms came from Saks Fifth Ave of NYC.

 

As an actual USO overseas cap with this type piping is probably hard to find, I would recommend buying an inexpensive early 1950's unpiped US Army EM overseas cap and then sewing on a rather easy to find full embroidered USO patch. That will be "close enough" for an impression.

 

 

Pretty good thread on this subject that should tell you all you need to know.

 

 

I think they pretty much wore Army "officer" uniforms with the appropriate USO patches. 

Private purchase, just like the Army officers. 

 

Worn on the OS cap 

 

Lapel Pins 

 

Assuming you are looking for male uniforms?

 

The book Dressed for Duty, Vol 2, by Jill Halcomb Smith, covers the women's USO uniforms. Insignia is the same for both.

 

6 minutes ago, 29navy said:

I think they pretty much wore Army "officer" uniforms with the appropriate USO patches. 

Private purchase, just like the Army officers. 

 

Worn on the OS cap 

 

Lapel Pins 

 

Assuming you are looking for male uniforms?

 

The book Dressed for Duty, Vol 2, by Jill Halcomb Smith, covers the women's USO uniforms. Insignia is the same for both.

 

 

Yes looking to do a male impression, thx for the reference! Period photos I found were too blurry...

27 minutes ago, KurtA said:

Here is an example I have of the overseas cap.  Note that the "piping" is the same color as the cap itself -  material chocolate gaberdine material.  

Like this example, most USO uniforms came from Saks Fifth Ave of NYC.

 

As an actual USO overseas cap with this type piping is probably hard to find, I would recommend buying an inexpensive early 1950's unpiped US Army EM overseas cap and then sewing on a rather easy to find full embroidered USO patch. That will be "close enough" for an impression.

 

 

Pretty good thread on this subject that should tell you all you need to know.

 

 

 

Man that bullion version is outstanding! What do original examples usually run?

This grainy photo of Sinatra and Silvers seems to show two sets of lapel insignia??

Sorry for starting a new thread, for some reason when browsing I could find that one you linked...

4 minutes ago, ViewfinderGyrene said:

 

Man that bullion version is outstanding! What do original examples usually run?

I checked Ebay just now and couldn't find an original.  Perhaps $20 to $30 for a fully embroidered US-made example?  They are by no means scarce.

 

5 minutes ago, KurtA said:

I checked Ebay just now and couldn't find an original.  Perhaps $20 to $30 for a fully embroidered US-made example?  They are by no means scarce.

 

 

That's great to know, thanks Kurt...

 

What do you make of the appearance of two sets on his labels? Would they have been regular office "US" insignias?

The upper insignia are standard officer US pins, the lower ones are metal versions of the "camp shows" patch. 

 

 

9 minutes ago, Mr.Jerry said:

The upper insignia are standard officer US pins, the lower ones are metal versions of the "camp shows" patch. 

 

 

 

Awesome, thx Jerry!

Just found a fantastic, much clearer shot.  Man that girl is adorable who's at about 11 o'clock behind his head😍

Some photos from my personal collection from the grouping of Brigadier General Robert Stack, assistant commanding general of the 36th Division. The back said this troupe was called the "Sons o Fun" and I believe the photos date maybe April 45 to early occupation.

 

Thanks for sharing.  I have a program/playbill for the troupe.