Didn’t know that.
And it was more than the amazing voice, he exuded Americanism.
From the quasi-reliable Wikipedia:
“Crosby made numerous live appearances before American troops fighting in the European Theater. He also learned how to pronounce German from written scripts, and would read propaganda broadcasts intended for the German forces. The nickname “Der Bingle” for him was understood to have become current among Crosby’s German listeners, and came to be used by his English-speaking fans. In a poll of U.S. troops at the close of World War II, Crosby topped the list as the person who had done the most for G.I. morale, ahead of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, General Dwight Eisenhower, and Bob Hope.”
I love First Noel...