American Armed Forces Radio No 12
Leído por Martha Wilkerson
American Armed Forces Radio No 12 GI Jive was a 15-minute radio program transmitted by the Armed Forces Radio Service for the entertainment of soldiers in World War II. Initially broadcast five days a week, it later increased to six days per week. Unlike other AFRS programs, GI Jive utilized a disc jockey format, featuring popular recordings of the day.
The program initially had a guest DJ for each broadcast, including civilian celebrities and servicemen. In May 1943, the format changed to feature a regular host, Martha Wilkerson, known on air as "GI Jill." Her warm and affectionate personality made a significant impact on the morale of troops, as she connected with listeners through record requests and cheerful banter.
Wilkerson's personal touch extended to replying to fan mail, and she became a beloved figure among servicemen. The total number of GI Jive programs is unclear, but it is believed to have run well into the thousands. Her closing line was often, "Good morning to some of you, good afternoon to some more of you, and to the rest of you — good night."
This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.