Bob Hope was an honored guest today at the recruit brigade review at the Naval Training Center, where his adopted son graduated after nine weeks basic training. 21-year-old William Kelly Hope was working at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York when he decided to join the Navy. He explained why to Harold Keen. He wasn’t ready to commit to a navy career, but he joined because he enjoyed the sea and diving. Dad Bob joked that he wanted to see him more--referring to his USO tours where he entertained troops, often in combat zones. Bob said he was proud of him and impressed with the ceremony. Keen asked him what he would like to be remembered for and he said “I don’t think anything in my career has given me more pleasure than doing these shows for these guys.” Two other sons were going into combat assignments in Vietnam and another was getting married the following day.

KFMB