Hollywood "adopts" the sailors
of the USS Yorktown

by Dale Potts Capt. USNR (ret.)

The Yorktown was homeported in Long Beach California.  That's just a limo ride away from Hollywood and the stars wanted to show their support of their boys in blue.

While homeported in Long Beach, CA during the late 60's, the YORKTOWN was sponsored by the Beverly Hills Council of the Navy League. Jane Wyman, Ronald Reagan's first wife, adopted the ship and was a regular visitor in the bridge while YORKTOWN conducted normal operations off the California coast. Hollywood stars like Edgar Burgan (along with Charlie McCarthy) provided free entertainment for holiday parties for the crew and their families.

Bob Middleton, the erstwhile forever black-hatted Cowboy in many Western movies, was the President of the Navy League and Carol Channing was the Vice-President at that time. Carol Channing also was the Vice President of Universal Studios and arranged for the YORKTOWN to attend the west coast premiere showing of the movie, Thoroughly Modern Millie, at the Hollywood Warner Theater. All 4400 seats were occupied by Yorktown sailors and their wives, children, girlfriends or friends.

There were 24 young, gorgeous starlets in the lobby of the theater, outfitted in calf-length white leather boots, mini-skirts, low-cut bodices, and a straw hat with red, white and blue ribbons. As each sailor in uniform entered the lobby, he received a big smooch from one of the starlets. Carol Channing even arranged for free popcorn to all at the intermission.
 

picture caption: Commanding Officer Bill Bennett, Carol Channing and honored Petty Officer 2nd Class preparing to receive his smooch.

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