Special Services (entertainment)
Encyclopedia
Special Services are the entertainment branch of the American military. The unit was created on 22 July 1940 by the War Department
as part of the Army Service Forces
. Special Services would not only use their own specially trained and talented troops but would often engage local performers.
Special Services were one of the few U.S. Army units to be integrated during World War II.
Special Services opened their first Recreational Officer school at Fort Meade Maryland on 1 April 1942. Military Occupational Specialties of the Special Services were as follows-
United States Department of War
The United States Department of War, also called the War Department , was the United States Cabinet department originally responsible for the operation and maintenance of the United States Army...
as part of the Army Service Forces
Army Service Forces
The Army Service Forces were one of the three autonomous components of the Army of the United States during World War II, the others being the Army Air Forces and Army Ground Forces. They were created on February 28, 1942 by Executive Order Number 9082 "Reorganizing the Army and the War Department"...
. Special Services would not only use their own specially trained and talented troops but would often engage local performers.
Special Services were one of the few U.S. Army units to be integrated during World War II.
Special Services opened their first Recreational Officer school at Fort Meade Maryland on 1 April 1942. Military Occupational Specialties of the Special Services were as follows-
- 03B Entertainment Specialist
- 03C Physical Activities Specialist
- 03D Crafts Specialist
- 03Z Recreation Service Senior Sergeant
Famous Special Service soldiers
- Maurice EvansMaurice Evans (actor)Maurice Herbert Evans was an English actor noted for his interpretations of Shakespearean characters. In terms of his screen roles, he is probably best known as Dr...
- Howard MorrisHoward MorrisHoward Morris was an American comic actor and director who was best known for his role as Ernest T. Bass on The Andy Griffith Show.- Life and career :...
- Carl ReinerCarl ReinerCarl Reiner is an American actor, film director, producer, writer and comedian. He has won nine Emmy Awards and one Grammy Award during this career...
- Werner KlempererWerner KlempererWerner Klemperer was a comedic and dramatic actor, best known for his role as Colonel Klink on the CBS television sitcom, Hogan's Heroes.-Early life:...
- Burt LancasterBurt LancasterBurton Stephen "Burt" Lancaster was an American film actor noted for his athletic physique and distinctive smile...
- Sammy Davis Jr.
- Dick Van DykeDick Van DykeRichard Wayne "Dick" Van Dyke is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer with a career spanning six decades. He is the older brother of Jerry Van Dyke, and father of Barry Van Dyke...
- Frank GorshinFrank GorshinFrank John Gorshin, Jr. was an American actor and comedian. He was perhaps best known as an impressionist, with many guest appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show...
- Mitch RyanMitchell RyanMitchell Ryan is an American actor most recently known for playing Edward Montgomery on the sitcom Dharma & Greg. He also worked with his on-screen wife from Dharma & Greg, Susan Sullivan, in the short-lived series Julie Farr, M.D..Ryan was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and raised in Louisville,...
(actor) Dharma and Greg - Jack PaarJack PaarJack Harold Paar was an author, American radio and television comedian and talk show host, best known for his stint as host of The Tonight Show from 1957 to 1962...
- Philip Ahn