Gene once received a record 80,000 fan letters in one month.

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I'll Wait for You
The Sergeant Gene Autry Radio Show
(October 4, 1942)

When Gene Autry went into the Army Air Forces in 1942 his popular radio show, "Melody Ranch," became the "Sergeant Gene Autry Show." His Sunday, October 4, 1942 program was broadcast live from Chicago, where Sgt. Autry was traveling under Army orders. This show's broadcast entertained 2,000 soldiers of the Army Air Forces Technical Training Command's radio school. Seventy percent of the men trained ended up in heavy bombers and needed to be "good aerial gunners as well as good radio men."

Sgt. Autry's program provided entertainment for the troops and also an opportunity for some soldiers to dedicate a song to their "girl back home." Gene dedicates this song, "I'll Wait for You," to Private Paxton's gal, Margie.

Written by Gene Autry and Fred Rose

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