Bob Hope's Army Travel Authorization for Alaska, 1942

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This is Bob Hope's "Application For Permit To Enter Alaska" dated 10 September 1942.

Hope was at the peak of his career in 1942. His radio comedy show, sponsored by the Pepsodent Company, was the number one radio program in America. The program zoomed up in ratings when he began broadcasting from military bases starting with March Field, California, on 6 May 1941. The first of his now-famous USO tours of bases was this trip to Alaska and the Aleutians in 1942.

The official U.S. Army form from the Western Defense Command and Fourth Army carries Hope's description, passport photo, thumbprint, home address and other personal ID information.

The application has the stamps and signatures indicating that it is approved. It became Bob Hope's permit to enter and travel in Alaska to entertain troops there sponsored by USO.

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