70 years after newlyweds Marilyn and husband Joe DiMaggio visited the Far East, here’s a selection of vintage reports from Stars and Stripes, the daily newspaper of the US Military.
Tokyo, February 2, 1954: Chilling wind, cheering mob greet Marilyn, Joe in Tokyo
“The world’s most beautiful blonde and her ‘Yankee Clipper’ husband came to Tokyo last night amid a freezing wind and 2,500 wild fans who almost turned Tokyo International Airport into a riot.
Misty-eyed, moist-lipped Marilyn Monroe, tired but still smiling after a day which saw their arrival delayed five hours, arid Joe DiMaggio, former Yankee outfielder, arrived aboard a Pan American World Airways plane at 5:45 p.m.
Some 15 minutes later, the newlyweds, accompanied by Frank (Lefty) O’Doul, stepped out on the landing platform of the craft for a brief appearance while the crowd milled and some 200 wildly-shoving photographers fired away. O’Doul, manager of the San Diego Padres of the Pacific Coast League, is here with DiMaggio to help the Japan Central League start training for the 1954 season.
The enthusiasm of the eager greeters sent the group back in the plane. They didn’t get off again until 45 minutes later when they slipped through a door on the opposite side, got into a convertible with top up and slipped unnoticed through the crowds lining the streets to make an unobtrusive getaway to the Imperial Hotel.
Meanwhile, a motorcade formed with an open-topped convertible leading the way, but it wasn’t Joe and Marilyn, although it fooled most of the crowd and allowed the famous couple to get to the hotel without being noticed.
While some 1,500 people milled in front of the hotel, Joe and Marilyn slipped in the back door, where they were met, interviewed and photographed by Pacific Stars and Stripes reporters.
Questioned at the airport about the possibility of a trip to Korea, Joe replied, that ‘We’re on our honeymoon.’ It is doubtful that they will attempt the trip.”
Tokyo, February 3: Monroe Sidesteps Queries on Tour, Family, Lingerie
“America’s Princess of Pulchritude, Marilyn Monroe, dressed in a skin-tight, flaming red dress which had a habit of creeping up over her knees, turned on her 100-degree charm late yesterday at a press conference, attended by more than 150 reporters and cameramen.
Marilyn did most of the talking while Joe sat by her side and smiled at occasional remarks. ‘We’re all overwhelmed at this,’ the blonde film star said.
Outfitted in the bright dress with black collar, black pumps, seamless stockings, carrying black gloves and a fox fur piece, and wearing a tiny pearl choker, which she said O’Doul gave her, the shapely bride said she ‘might have some news about that later’ when asked if she would visit Korea. ‘If I could get a piano player I might sing some songs in the hospitals there,’ she replied.
However, the question of a Korean trip was left undecided until the twosome have had a chance to complete plans here.
An numerous questions were asked about the number of children she planned, Marilyn gave noncommittal answers until Joe turned with a broad smile and said, ‘Why don’t you ask me that question?’
Miss Monroe pointed out that there were several Hollywood actors she enjoyed working with but then turned and put her arm around DiMaggio saying, ‘But this is my favorite man.’
Asked if she thought home life and career would mix, Joe answered for her with ‘It’s going on every day.’
When queried if she still followed her custom of not wearing lingerie, the only answer the famous actress would give was ‘I’m planning on getting a Japanese kimono.'”
3rd Division airstrip, South Korea, Feb. 18, 1954: Marilyn Monroe Visits Soldiers in South Korea
“Actress Marilyn Monroe poses with Pfc. John Fenesy of Caldwell, N.J., 3rd Division air section, left, and Cpl. Dick Armstrong of Williston Park, N.Y., 13th Helicopter Company at the 3rd Division (‘Rock of the Marne’) airstrip Feb. 18, 1954. Armstrong was the crew chief on the helicopter that brought the star to her show, which drew thousands of service members.
The blonde bombshell accompanied her husband Joe DiMaggio as he flew to Japan to assist the Japan Central League start training for the 1954 season, but Mrs. Joe DiMaggio detoured with a jaunt to South Korea to entertain the troops.”
Korea, February 19: ‘6,000 Thunderbirds stampede, mob stage to see Marilyn‘
“Veteran trooper Marilyn Monroe, who has steamed over more than 200 miles of the snow-splotched Korean front in the past three days, last night wound up her tour of Eighth Army units with an unrehearsed stampede at the Thunderbird Division.
Forty-fifth soldiers, who had been waiting for the hip-waggling femme fatale for several hours in one degree below zero weather, stormed through the MP-guarded rope and steel barriers, tossed rocks on stage and forced the Special Services show to skip one of its numbers and get Marilyn on stage before things got too far out of hand.
One soldier was carted off in an ambulance, a casualty of the unexpected demonstration.
The Mob of 6,000 surged forth like a human tidal wave as the performance went into chaos and confusion.
Restless and irritable, the crowd trampled around in uncontrollable fashion, forcing the fabulous form to forsake her post-performance for the shutter-bugs and dash off to her quarters in the general’s sedan.
She is scheduled to tour the 45th Div area early today in an open jeep before proceeding to K-47 for her first Air Force performance.
Escorted by Brig. Gen. John C. Oakes, acting division commander, Miss Monroe took an extended tour of the 35th Regt., 90th FA and the 27th Regt., stopping en route to speak with the thousands of Yanks who had dotted the road for hours to see her, but primarily to snap her picture.
Later, at the 2nd Div. Marilyn was greeted. by Maj. Gen. William Barriger before going to the enlisted men’s mess for the first non-steak meal she had on the front, other than yesterday’s breakfast at the 25th when she ate four fried eggs.
Marilyn picked up a steel tray, washed it in a pot of boiling water, fell in behind other troops and took portions of everything to help gain back the ten pounds she had lost on her Far Eastern junket.
As she left the Mess for the chopper, she called for escort Knapp, ‘Corporal, where are you, I can’t keep track of you.’ A burly white-tassled, gun-slinging shape rallied with a ‘That works both ways, ma’m.’
Following an early afternoon performance at K-47 to the boys in blue, her first Fifth Air Force show, she will do a farewell act near Taegu before departing for Tokyo to continue her honeymoon.”
Taegu, February 20: Marilyn Monroe Ends Korea Swing
“Amid a storm of flashbulbs and cheering troops, America’s favorite sweetheart, Marilyn Monroe, left Korea last night. She bade a tender farewell to more than 9,000 howling servicemen at the Taegu Air Force Open Air Theater.
Miss Monroe completed her 4-day whirlwind tour of this now peaceful peninsula with a swan-song performance of ‘Anything Goes’ just before she took off for Itami where husband Joe DiMaggio is waiting.
Marilyn tapered off her morale-boosting swing through Korea with a show which electrified the large audience. She faced it in a form-fitting black, gold-flecked dress, cut like a California hot rod. Singing her standard hit, ‘Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend’, the blonde from Hollywood captivated her last audience in the same manner she enthralled her first — by just being Marilyn.
The fans included many who had staked out an early claim on the choice first few rows of seats seven hours before the performance began. There were those who huddled in blankets while Mrs. DiMaggio braved a 30-degree cold in a summer dress.
After the show, Marilyn returned to the stage to pose for the more than 100 eager camera fans who crowded to the stage, restrained by a cordron of MPs.
Members of the cast which accompanied her throughout the trip across Korea exclaimed, ‘She’s great, she’s gorgeous, but she’s even nicer than she’s gorgeous.’
Although Miss Monroe was too pressed for time to grant a personal interview, a spokesman for the troupe indicated that being under contract to 20th Century Fox she could neither confirm nor deny reports that she intended to give up her movie career for a ‘family life’ with husband Joe DiMaggio.”
Tokyo, February 22: DiMaggios ‘to Shop’ in Tokyo Before Return Flight to U.S.
“Mr. and Mrs. Joe DiMaggio, who came to Japan on their honeymoon and found they were the world’s most popular newlyweds, are going home.
Marilyn Monroe, America’s platinum blonde calendar girl, and husband Joe, Yankee slugger of yesterday, will board a Pan American World Airways plane at 2 p.m. Wednesday for the trip to the U.S.
The famous couple, along with Mr. and Mrs. Frank ‘Lefty’ O’Doul, landed on a Japan Air Lines plane from southern Japan late yesterday afternoon practically unnoticed. Some 50 people stood in the airline waiting room watching a wrestling match while the curvaceous film star and her husky husband walked through and boarded a car to take them to their hotel.
Whether intentional or not, reports throughout the day indicated that Marilyn and Joe would not be in Tokyo until tomorrow. Only two newsmen were on hand to greet them. The shapely blonde looked tired but was still able to flash the smile which endeared her to hearts of servicemen throughout the Far East.
‘I feel a little sick,’ she said upon landing. Joe had little to say and seemed relieved that there was no crowd on hand at the airport.”
The Marilyn Report 