Marilyn Monroe posing for troops in Korea Feb. 1954
Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio were on their honeymoon in Tokyo, Japan in February of 1954 when Marilyn recieved an invitation from General John E. Hull’s Far East command to entertain the U.S. troops stationed in war torn Korea. After a little thought and discussion with her husband she said yes. It should be said though that Joe objected to her going to Korea at that time as he feared for her safety. The armistice had just been signed in July of 1953 and she was going to do some of her shows very close to the front lines which was still a very dangerous place at that time, but she said it was ”the least she could do.” Her whirlwind tour consisted of ten shows in four days in sub-zero temperatures. Wearing nothing but a skin tight, low cut, plum colored sequined gown, she wowed the troops with her singing, dancing, and banter. Everywhere Marilyn Monroe went she was greeted with warmth and appreciation. One Army Corps of Engineers officer said of Marilyn, *“Of all the performers who came to us in Korea-and there were a half a dozen or so-she was the best…..It was bitter cold, but she was in no hurry to leave. Marilyn Monroe was a great entertainer. She made thousands of GI’s feel like she really cared.” Marilyn performed with a band made up of eleven servicemen called Anything Goes. Her pianist, Albert Guastafeste was taken aback by how down to earth and modest she was. He was quoted as saying,”Someone ought to go up to her and tell her she is Marilyn Monroe. She doesn’t seem to realize it. When you make a goof she tells you she’s sorry. When she goofs, she apologizes to me!” During her tour she also visited hospitals in Japan where wounded servicemen lay, stopping to talk, shaking hands, signing autographs, posing with all that asked for pictures. Even though she was totally exhausted from the tour and caught a mild case of pneumonia, she later told her friend Amy Greene that the Korea tour was one of the highlights of her entire career.
Marilyn Monroe in freezing weather performing for GIs in Korea Feb. 1954
Marilyn on stage in front of thousands of troops Korea 1954
Marilyn Monroe with the troops Korea 1954
Marilyn Monroe with the troops in Korea 1954
This is a video of clips from Marilyn’s tour in Korea. There is no sound from the actual tour, just background music, and at a little over ten minutes in length, some might find it a little long. It is well worth watching though as it shows her visiting the hospitals and performing and interacting with the GIs.
(Note:Some of the information and the quote marked with * in this posting I got from The Marilyn Encyclopedia by Adam Victor. It is a very thoroughly researched book of facts about Marilyn’s life and loaded with many pictures of Marilyn. I would highly recommend it as an addition to anyone’s library.)
I was going through my 95 year old grandfathers photos of the 50′s and found one of marilyn with the jacket with fur collar thrown around her shoulders and standing in front of what appears to be a plane. It is written on the back: “Korea Feb 1954 Marilyn Monroe & Major General Lionel C (The Lion) McGarr. 31st Inf Parole Field”.
Hi Jill. That is a great find. There are many photos of Marilyn and other actors/actresses/celebrities from the past that are being discovered all the time and probably many more hidden away in old photo albums, boxes, trunks etc. Are there any identification markings on the plane in the photo? I have had a couple requests about certain pictures of Marilyn standing next to a particular plane. If we could identify the plane, I could put you in touch with the people interested if you like. Either way, I’m sure it is a great picture, maybe even a one of a kind.
Thanks for visiting Arts-Stew and for taking the time to comment.
-art-
Could you describe the plane in the picture you found? Or send a copy to my e-mail address.
I will look at the photo and describe it to you, or even scan it and upload it online; thanks for your interest everyone! I was so excited because I love Marilyn.
I was in Korea in Febuary 1954 when Marilyn Monroe landed in our Regt. field. The 31st Inf. 7th Division Hdq & Hdq. At the time I was operating radio for the Regt Commander and we picked Her up in the jeep. She spent about 30 minutes posing for the troops so the could get pictures. That night she ate with the Division Commander And the 3 Regt. commanders and then put on the show for us. Cpl. Nyal Skilling 7th Inf. Division 31st Inf. Regt. HDQ & HDQ. US 55341462
What a wonderful experience of a lifetime!! Thanks for sharing w/us and thanks for your service to America.
Waw! you are really lucky! some people would kill to find a photo like that:)
Hi, I've been trying to locate a B&W photo of Marilyn
Monroe standing on a service ladder and posing at
the nose of an F86 Sabre jet. about 15 years the
photo was available via catalog. Any suggestions?
Hi Chris, I spend a lot of time browsing the internet and have searched for the photo you are interested in. Haven’t come across it yet. I really don’t have any other suggestions on how to find one. Just keep checking periodically. If I happen to find the photo you want I will let you know. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help to you.
Thanks for taking the time to comment!!
-Art-
Hi Murph, I've looked through all the Marilyn pics I have on my PC and none show her on a or next to a plane while in Korea. I also have several Marilyn books with hundreds of pics and I didn't find one there either. I would think somebody would have a pic of Marilyn with your bird somewhere. There are many videos of Marilyn in Korea on You Tube. We could get a still from one of them if we could find a video with your plane in it. I'll keep looking and keep you in mind if I come across one that might be your bird. -art-
I own an L-17B 48-944 that flew in the Korean War. The pilot said he flew Marilyn Monroe while she was there. I have many pix of her but not with my bird. Could you help me? Murf