Carole - The Patriot When America got involved in World War Two Carole dedicated herself to supporting the troops and volunteered to do whatever she could to help. She joined the U.S.O., became an honorary Colonel in the American Legion, worked with the Red Cross, and went all over the world with Jack Benny, Kay Francis, and Martha Raye. Most evenings you could find her entertaining soldiers at the Hollywood Canteen or at her beach house. The soldiers truly fell in love with her and gave her the nickname "The Blonde Bomber". She enthusiastically performed without much sleep or a hot shower - singing "Strip Polka" and always dressed like a movie star. If she didn't have blush she would pinch her cheeks for several minutes before going on stage. She did not want her shows to be segregated and always danced with the black soldiers too. Carole risked her life many times to entertain our soldiers, survived bombing air raids, and almost died from malaria and dysentery but she never complained. Carole wrote a lot of magazine articles about the war and her 1944 book Four Jills In A Jeep became a best seller and was made into a movie. Not a lot of people realize than Carole entertained more World War Two soldiers than any other Hollywood star (even more than Bob Hope) and traveled more than 100,000 miles entertaining soldiers in a dozen counties! She was quoted as saying "Whatever we do for soldiers can't be enough in return for what they do for us". I'm sure a lot of you read about Carole's service and think she did give a lot and then you'll pass onto the next page on the the site for more info but I don't think anyone TRULY understands her sacrifice she made in her own life. Yes, the men were the protectors of our beloved America and stood for our freedoms and were risking there lives for that. The women back home worked in the factory's and took care of the family as well. And they were the role model of a women Aunt Carole. Yes, we all know about the glamorous Carole - she wore the beautiful dresses and her hair and makeup was all done up every show. She was the perfect movie star figure. She had the glowing smile, the sultry singing voice, and the sunshine personality that lit up the room when she walked in. That was her heart and soul...that's for sure. But here is a in depth look at the real soldier in her - the woman who served her country and didn't complain about her struggles or what she gave up for her duty to her country. Lets start with her movie career that she worked so hard for...we know that she made $50,000 a year Fox studio contract. She had to put up with Zanuck and that was a battle! We know that Carole not giving in to his continued advances she stayed a "B" actresses. She had given up movie deals while she toured and took a huge pay cut. Now we have proof from her income tax papers she only made $20,000 in a year. THATS a $30,000 loss!!! Now it would be a loss to most but to her it was a sacrifice she was willing to give up for something she believed in. She was paid just $10 a day for her shows she preformed. If money and fame was the focus in her life she would of stayed home. We all know she loved to shop and treat her self with those things but that wasn't important when the war was going on. Even my great grandmother Clara went back to work to help with the bills, feed the animals, and at times feed all the service men. Clara would bring into their home to give them "a home cooked meal". I don't know many actors today that would do that. The second thing to think about is her health. Now we know she almost died of dysentery and she struggle with it at times for the rest of her life. She was sick, lost a lot of weight and, she couldn't eat like she wanted to or she would be really sick. Then she had malaria on top of it. She was performing under horrible conditions with cold water if they had any water to shower in and keep clean. Tents that didn't have heat and she even said that at times she was too cold to sleep. They didn't have the best medical care but of course they treated her for her illness the best they could. The men who were at war were dealing with these situations as well and she suffered right along the side of them. She was willing to sacrifice her own life just give back just "a little piece of home to these men". Third and last I want you to know she was the strong, unified women who kept her "girls together" under the horrible living conditions. She was the one who did their hair, makeup, and helped them dress. She was the one who would go around camp talking to the "boys" and let them know she cared. When she talked to them she would promise to call there loved ones when she got home and she would do just that. And Carole would write the soldiers to let them know she spoke to there families. She helped all these men in the hospitals that were injured or who just barley missed the kiss of death. NO ONE did that but her! There wasn't anyone who would give their heart like her. Carole saw the gruesome reality of war. The pain, the body parts that were missing yet she would sit and talk and hug them and give them hope for there future and she showed real love and compassion. She wasn't there for her image to make her be a bigger star and they knew it. Carole was a pioneer in the U.S.O., a perfect example of why stars should go on the tours. She never wanted anything in return. This is why I ask all of you who read this to sit and think of what she gave us, realize she was a true patriot who loved her country more than anything, then please sign the petition below and pass it to all you know. Help me give this to her and for others to see what she gave to the men to us. She has inspired me in all of my work I have done with non-profit and helping a neighbor next door. You all can be part of what she wanted so bad in life helping others and be selfless. A soldier who went to her funeral told a reporter she should have been buried with a purple heart. I believe that all the work my aunt did during the war was her greatest accomplishment. Aunt Carole served the troops and our country doing U.S.O. tours and she never wanted anything in return. She truly gave so much and deserves to be recognized for her service and her heart. My aunt never turned down an opportunity to help her country. She inspired many to continue to give to the troops and was a big part of when it all begin. Who knows if the U.S.O tours would have been so big if she wasn't part of it when it all started? When one elderly soldier was asked how he was able to survive the war he said "Carole Landis". This should be Aunt Carole's legacy and I want her to be remembered as an American hero! Our family and Carole's fans are trying to get her the Presidential Medal Of Freedom she deserves and you can help by signing our petition ~ Written by Tammy Powell, Carole's great-niece Carole got this award from the Army Rare footage of Carole during the war
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