11 Stars Who Traveled Overseas to Entertain America’s Troops

Published: July 3, 2026

circa 1967: American entertainer Bob Hope (1903 - 2003) standing on stage and smiling, with Les Brown's band, during a USO show to entertain American troops overseas, Vietnam era. Hope is wearing a short-sleeved shirt and is holding a golf club. The musicians are holding their instruments and wear sunglasses. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

By Movieguide® Staff

America turns 250 this year, and the story of this country’s military can’t be told without the entertainers who followed the troops into the field.

“I hate war with all my guts,” comedian Bob Hope once told a crowd, “but I admire the guys with guts enough to fight them when they have to be fought.” For decades, musicians and comedians have climbed aboard military transports, set up stages in combat zones and done the one thing they knew how: perform. These 11 artists answered the call.

Bob Hope — From 1941 to 1991, Hope made 57 USO tours across every American conflict, from WWII to Operation Desert Storm, touching down in Vietnam, Korea, Beirut, Alaska and the Arabian Gulf. The USO named him its “one-man morale machine.”

“Believe me when I say that laughter up at the front lines is a very precious thing—precious to those grand guys who are giving and taking the awful business that goes on there,” he said.

Robin Williams — Williams made six USO tours between 2002 and 2013, visiting Iraq, Afghanistan and 10 other countries and performing for more than 89,000 service members. He was known for staying after every show to talk one-on-one with troops — sometimes for hours.

“There’s nothing I enjoy more than traveling with the USO and giving back to our troops in whatever way I can,” he said. “They work hard, sacrifice a lot and deserve to be treated like the heroes they are. The very least I can do is bring a smile to their faces.”

Gary Sinise — Since 2003, Sinise has completed more than 100 USO tours across 20-plus countries with his Lt. Dan Band—named for his role in FORREST GUMP. The group plays 30 to 40 shows per year, the vast majority for military and charity audiences.

“On the plane from Kuwait to Baghdad, I met a former New York City firefighter whose two sons—one NYPD and one FDNY—were both killed on September 11th,” Sinise recalled. “Meeting the troops in a combat zone confirmed to me that this was how I could help.”

Toby Keith — Keith completed 18 USO tours across 17 countries and performed for more than 250,000 service members in his lifetime. During a 2008 show in Afghanistan, mortar fire interrupted his set — he signed autographs in the bunker until the all-clear, then went back onstage.

“I enjoy working with the USO, I love our nation’s troops, and I won’t ever stop doing my part to extend my thanks,” Keith said.

Kid Rock — A fixture at overseas military installations since 2003, Rock performed multiple times in Iraq and Afghanistan. He and Toby Keith used to joke about who had logged more trips — and both called it the most demanding work of their careers.

“Some of the hardest and most rewarding work I have ever done was performing and spending time with our military around the world,” he said.

Carrie Underwood — In December 2006, just a year after winning AMERICAN IDOL, Underwood took her first USO trip to Iraq and Kuwait, performing for more than 2,000 troops. She sang “Jesus Take the Wheel” on a makeshift stage in Tikrit.

“You guys have been so appreciative to us tonight,” said Underwood to the service members, “but we’re the ones who really appreciate everything you do.”

Trace Adkins — Adkins made 12 USO tours between 2002 and 2016, visiting Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Japan, Germany and Spain. Country legend Wayne Newton warned him upfront: expect to feel guilty when you come home.

“I’ve never played in front of a more appreciative audience than the troops,” Adkins said.

Drew Carey — Before becoming a television star, Carey served six years in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. He came back to serve in a different way — performing comedy for troops in Baghdad and Tikrit, Iraq, through USO and Armed Forces Entertainment.

“I knew that once I left the Reserves, I would give back to the military, so I teamed up with the USO,” he said.

Jay Leno — In October 2014, months after leaving THE TONIGHT SHOW, Leno flew to Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan as part of NBC’s TODAY USO Comedy Tour, performing alongside Al Roker and Craig Robinson for more than 1,000 troops.

“When I travel to entertain the troops, the best part is the few minutes I get to spend with each soldier,” Leno reflected. “Behind every handshake, every hello, is a great kid.”

Kellie Pickler — One of country music’s most consistent military advocates, Pickler completed 12 USO tours and visited 13 countries — Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Germany, Norway and more. She returned again and again long after the cameras were gone.

“The USO tours and programs I’ve been a part of have definitely been the highlight of my career,” she said.

Neal McCoy — Country singer Neal McCoy made 14 USO tours, visiting troops across the Middle East and Asia. His commitment ran personal: his mother immigrated from the Philippines, and gratitude for America ran deep in his family.

“It means the world. My mother was born in the Philippines, and growing up she made me understand and respect what it meant to live in the USA,” he said.

These 11 artists represent something older than the USO itself — the idea that free people take care of those who defend their freedom. As America marks 250 years this summer, that tradition is worth remembering. Patriotism doesn’t always wear a uniform. Sometimes it carries a guitar.

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