Operation Starlift began in 1950 as a program organized by Special Services Officers and the Hollywood Coordinating Committee to bring Hollywood stars to Travis Air Force Base to entertain wounded servicemen returning from the Korean War. Actress Ruth Roman led the effort, followed by appearances from stars such as Jane Russell, Shirley Temple, Bob Hope, Debbie Reynolds, Danny Kaye, and many others. Entertainers flew from Burbank each Saturday, performing two- to three-hour shows in the Passenger Terminal for departing troops and additional performances in the hospital auditorium. The program ended in November 1951 due to lack of funding, but was revived by the USO in 1999 with a new generation of performers, continuing its legacy of boosting morale through entertainment.

​

Starlift (1951) is a musical film released by Warner Bros., starring Doris Day, Gordon MacRae, Virginia Mayo, Dick Wesson, and Ruth Roman. Directed by Roy Del Ruth and written by John D. Klorer and Karl Kamb from a story by Klorer, the film was produced during the early days of the Korean War. It follows a U.S. Air Force flyer whose wish to meet a movie star leads to a series of performances by Hollywood entertainers for wounded servicemen at an air force base.

​

Volunteers from the Travis Air Force Base Aviation Museum have recently upgraded the exhibit featuring the film.