Man, I was TWO DAYS OLD! Seriously though, only someone who's seen him while far from home can truly appreciate the impact that man had for MILLIONS of American servicemen (and women). I saw him in '91, my father, who was barely 18 at the time, has a picture of him with Mr. Hope in England, 1944.
There will never be another Bob Hope.
I never saw him live, but when I was in AFROTC field traing at Vandenberg in '71, they would show us flim clips from his shows, along with his ladies of course, to help break up long lecture classes. We weren't all that far from home, some less than others, but still for many it was the first time away from familiy for any extened period. And we definitely appreaciated both Hope and the ladies. Never thought to ask my Dad if he'd seen him during WW-II, but it's certainly possible that he, or one of my Uncles, did.