Editing Gary Cooper (section)

====World War II related activities====
[[File:StateLibQld 1 107016 Asking for Gary Cooper's autograph, November 1943.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|alt=Photo of Gary Cooper signing an autograph|Cooper signing an autograph for a servicewoman in [[Brisbane]] during his tour of the South West Pacific, November 1943]]

Due to his age and health, Cooper did not serve in the military during World War II,<ref name="dickens-14" /> but like many of his colleagues, he got involved in the [[war effort]] by entertaining the troops.<ref name="meyers-167">Meyers 1998, p. 167.</ref> In June 1943, he visited military hospitals in San Diego,<ref name="meyers-167" /> and often appeared at the [[Hollywood Canteen]] serving food to the Servicemen.<ref name="arce-189">Arce 1979, p. 189.</ref> In late 1943, Cooper undertook a {{convert|23000|mi|km|adj=mid}} tour of the [[South West Pacific theatre of World War II|South West Pacific]] with actresses [[Una Merkel]] and [[Phyllis Brooks]] and accordionist Andy Arcari.<ref name="meyers-167" /><ref name="arce-189" /><ref name="swindell-250">Swindell 1980, p. 250.</ref>

Traveling on a [[Consolidated B-24 Liberator|B-24A Liberator]] bomber,<ref name="meyers-167" /> the group toured the [[Cook Islands]], [[Fiji]], [[New Caledonia]], [[Queensland]], [[Brisbane]]{{snd}}where General [[Douglas MacArthur]] told Cooper he was watching ''Sergeant York'' in a Manila theater when Japanese bombs began falling<ref name="meyers-167" />{{snd}}[[New Guinea]], [[Jayapura]] then throughout the [[Solomon Islands]].<ref>Meyers 1998, pp. 167–68.</ref>

The group often shared the same sparse living conditions and K-rations as the troops.<ref name="meyers-169">Meyers 1998, p. 169.</ref> Cooper met with the servicemen and women, visited military hospitals, introduced his attractive colleagues and participated in occasional skits.<ref name="meyers-169" /> The shows concluded with Cooper's moving recitation of Lou Gehrig's farewell speech.<ref name="meyers-169" /> When he returned to the United States, he visited military hospitals throughout the country.<ref name="meyers-169" /> Cooper later called his time with the troops the "greatest emotional experience" of his life.<ref name="swindell-250" />