This was from a time when the entire nation was 100% behind our troops… even our media.
March 1942… here in southern California.
She, an aspiring starlet named Marilyn Hare, was determined to kiss 10,000 soldiers in early 1942 and while doing so, boost morale… Not only for the troops facing an uncertain future but the country. At this time, the news was filled with the conquests of the Japanese military in the Pacific. The Doolittle Raid and the Battle of the Coral Sea would not happen until the following month.
Times have changed yet our young are still sent to war.
For the uplifting photo series of this kissing wonder in LIFE, please click here.
Masako and Spam Musubi 
I was a high school teenager during the war, from 1941 to l945, and I remember well how everybody pitched in to do something for the war effort. I spent a couple of summers serving at a hospital for servicemen. We had rationing and food stamp books. The country was strongly united, people of all ages pitched in.
Thank you for your visit. I read about your friend who passed away at 92 but comments were closed, it seems. Very nicely written tribute, ma’am.
Indeed, that time in our country’s history was most remarkable. Although the was as it involved the US ended in about three and a half years, it was a time when the country had one goal: to be victorious. My friends’ parents were not as old as mine so they were largely spared the rationing… but the war touched all. And thank you for donating part of your youth to help our servicemen in the hospital.
Well, when a country is attacked on its own soil, its people will rally for their troops. However, we should always be behind our troops, its our leaders we question.
I agree, Linda. Being attacked on our own soil should bring the country together as it did on 9/11. But I, too, have deep questions about our leaders at this time. I feel for our boots on the ground if they must adhere to the current leadership’s views and restrictions on actual combat. Many of our military may become casualties needlessly.
Koji….you are wonderful. Thank you for this story. 🙂 You are a beautiful patriot.
You are, too. How is your WWII 10th Mountain Division combat vet? Still finding it hard to breathe at times?
He is doing well. Getting a bit stronger. And that battle will be with him forever. But I love hearing when he is doing better.
I did not know this Koji! What a great fact to know. The English Professor makes the point too – Everyone was behind our guys!
I did not know this Koji! What a great fact to know. She was a cutie too. The English Professor makes the point too – Everyone was behind our guys!
Don’t you love the coming together back then? Even athletes and stars enlisted!
Obama hasn’t given us a common cause yet!
I didn’t know the story either. Thank you for sharing!
Amazing stuff, isn’t it?
No one with any brains wants to kiss Madonna — thats for certain.
You mean a Marine would actually pass up kissing a woman??!… 🙂