recreation & entertainment

Chinese soldiers in the CBI learn western-style boxing under instruction of Capt. Mark Conn, during WWII. Image courtesy of Tony Strotman.

GIs in China enjoy time laughing at movie celebrity Pat O'Brien's jokes. Seated left to right are S/Sgt. Quisenberry, Pat O'Brien, S/Sgt. Robert L. Sorenson. Standing are S/Sgt. T. W. Wilson, Sgt. Joseph Campion, S/Sgt. Leslie Piehl, S/Sgt. Jerry Dusek, Sgt Wallace Jackson, Sgt. Henry E. Kubieck, Pvt. Gordon Escore. In rear are Pvt. Kenneth Hummel, Sgt. Andrew Adamchik, S/Sgt...

Lt. Earle Meadows, former Olympian and USC pole vault champ, poses with Jinx Falkenburg, movie star, in China during WWII. Image courtesy of Tony Strotman.

Cooks Ruth Carrell, Betty Yeaton, Jinx Falkenburg visit the enlisted men's mess of the "China Blitzer" fighter squadron and the "Flying Horse" fighter group. The cooks are (left to right): Sgt. Joseph Chirko, Ruth Carrell, S/Sgt. Steve Nagy, Betty Yeaton, Jinx Falkenburg. In front is "Collen", Burmese refugee and mess attendant, in the background with glasses is Mr. John Woo...

Bill Gargan and Keenan Wynn, stars with the Paulette Goddard Show, enacting their skit "How To Not Get Drafted" for men station in China on March 1, 1944. Image courtesy of Tony Strotman.

American actor, comedian, and exceptional humanitarian Joe E. Brown gives US show at 14th Air Force China base. Image courtesy of Tony Strotman.

USS Nashville ship's company's invitation to Ship's Dance at the Shanghai Race Course Stadium on October 22, 1945, after WWII.

Hollywood stars put on variety show for GIs in the CBI during WWII, including Ruth Dennis (far left), Ben Blue, Ann Sheridan, and Mary Landa.