During the Vietnam War, Bob Hope received many letters from families of American POWs held in North Vietnamese prisons requesting his help in gaining their release. Although his meeting with a North Vietnamese official in Laos produced no results, POWs subsequently learned of Hope’s actions on their behalf and were deeply appreciative. To an audience of POWs at a White House dinner given in their honor upon their release in 1973, Hope joked about his efforts and their travails.