Lucy and Desi

Long before "I Love Lucy," Desi Arnaz was a Sergeant in the Army during WWII. He was not fit for overseas duty due to a knee injury, but nonetheless worked in the American Theater, primarily the USO, organizing events and shows for the returning Pacific Theater soldiers. His most famous contribution was when he learned that the most-often first request of returning GI's was a glass of milk (though I don't know why, after being in the heat of the Pacific for months and years milk sounds disgusting). He organized glasses of milk to be distributed to all returning vets.


Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball, California, 1945.

He as also played scout "Felix Ramirez" in the wartime propaganda film, "Bataan."



He met Lucille Ball, a then-B-movie actress and pin-up model, before he was drafted.



They got a divorce in 1945, but reconciled shortly thereafter, only to become the most successful husband/wife comedy act in history. Arnaz died in 1986 at the age of 69.