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In 1941 the non-profit United Service Organizations (USO) were created to support the war-ready troops and the United States. In San Diego, the first USO club opened on Seventh Avenue and E Street in downtown San Diego on Thanksgiving Friday, November 21, 1941, to provide a home away from home for military personnel.
The site was operated by the Salvation Army; one of the service organizations that have partnered with the YMCA, YWCA, the Jewish Welfare Board, Catholic Community Charities, and the Travelers Aid Society to form the USO.
During the first year of operation, USO San Diego reported that approximately 21,000 service employees came through their doors and were served free coffee, sandwiches, donuts, and the like. In addition, 45 table tennis, darts and mini bowling tournaments were held.
Today USO San Diego operates local centers at the airport, Liberty State, Camp Pendleton and the Military Entrance Processing Station on Ruffin Road, as well as a warehouse.
From the grandstand-Sun, Friday, November 21, 1941:
USO opens club in City
San Diego’s first major United Service Organizations club opened on Seventh Avenue today. and Est. with ceremonies from 2 p.m.
An open day was held in the club from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tonight there will be an official public opening ceremony at 7:30 a.m. and around 1,500 are expected to attend.
Scott for President
George A. Scott, Head of the USO Advisory Board here, will lead the opening program. Salvation Army Commissioner Donald McMillan will speak for the USO and hand the club over to soldiers, with Lt. Col. KC Masteller of Camp Callan accepts the acceptance on behalf of the latter.
Additional speakers include Col. William Barker of the Salvation Army Regional Office and Brig. Gen. H. French, Southern California division commander of the Salvation Army.
Music provided
Entertainment includes numbers from the Camp Callan Band, Camp Elliott Hillbilly Quintet, and Jack Staley, tenor soloist for the Naval Training Station, accompanied by Miss Virginia Mannix, harpist.
Lunches for USO and Salvation Army leaders and their wives preceded the opening programs at noon today. While Mrs. McMillan and Mrs. French and the wives of advisory board members were entertained at Army’s Door of Hope, 2301 Bolinas Street, the officers and board members had lunch in the Tops Cafe.
From The San Diego Union, Saturday November 22, 1941:
USO is planning many SD events
The opening of the USO-Salvation Army Club on Seventh Avenue. and Est. is just a start to providing recreational facilities for service personnel, USO headquarters announced yesterday. The hall was inaugurated with public ceremonies on Friday.
Completion is scheduled for December 14th. USO buildings are being prepared in Chula Vista, National City, La Jolla and Balboa Park.
Next Saturday there will be a dance at the YMCA under the auspices of the USO. The Cathedral Club, under the auspices of the National Catholic Community Service, is open daily to service men on Third Avenue. and Buchenstr.
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