Proudly We Hail was a public service radio show for the Army and Air Force that aired from 1941 to 1957, with its initial run on CBS before becoming a syndicated show across independent radio stations. This show aimed to support the Army and Air Corps recruitment departments, featuring a short play alongside recruitment ads that often starred big-name actors like Clark Gable, Robert Mitchum, Glenn Ford, and many more.
The 1941 shows aimed to "strengthen the mainstream of the defense machine" during the time of growing tensions in the Far East, while the post-1946 shows followed the same format of a short play featuring a major Hollywood actor, recruitment announcements, and interviews with the stars. The show became widely popular and was heard on as many as 1300 radio stations at its peak.
Created by Hollywood producer C.P. MacGregor, the show featured radio personalities like Turhan Bey, Lee Tracy, Howard McNear, and Jeff Chandler. The commercials within the series offer a unique glimpse into past Army advertising and the techniques used to attract young potential recruits. The series concluded with episode 464 in August 1957.