Women in VN War

AN ACCOUNTING OF AMERICAN WOMEN SERVING IN VN STILL DEBATED
Numbers vary wildly with regard to how many American women served in Vietnam during the War. And there are other debates with different subtexts such as: how many American military women served? How many civilian women served? Yes, there were thousands of civilian women who participated in different capacities (mostly as support personnel) in Vietnam. Records show that at least fifty-six American women died in Vietnam and still more (the numbers have not been tracked to this day) died from, many say, exposure to our old friend AGENT ORANGE once they returned home. In previous wars and conflicts, women were usually safely behind enemy lines, not near the "front". But in Vietnam, there was no "front" and everywhere was the enemy.

American Women in VN By the Numbers

Women's Vietnam Memorial
Washington, DC

The numbers we have read have been represented as 7,000, 30,000, and 10,000. At the low end are military and the high end "other" from civilian organizations such as the American Red Cross and the United Services Organization (USO) and The US Army Special Services Program. There were women employed by USAID, CIA, NSA and numerous other agencies.  American women were not mentioned or recognized as having been in Vietnam for decades and were only recognized officially in 1993 when a statue dedicated to them was unveiled near the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall in Washington, DC. That statue would, however, never have been erected had it not been for the efforts and moxie of women themselves. Women who had served. And serve they did.

More will be shared here about the American women of the Vietnam War all whom were volunteers, many of whom were civilian. We will celebrate their sacrifices during the month of October 2013 in the lead up to the 20th Anniversary Commemoration of the Memorial. The VVMF (Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund) is dedicating its annual gala to those who provided aid and comfort to soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen during the War: The Dustoff Teams, The ARC (American Red Cross) "Donut Dollies".

Nancy Caracciolo Warner
and Nancy Kimbrell Parker
ARC/SRAO
Vietnam Aug 1969-Jul 1970
"Donut Dollies"
at the Red Cross HQ in
Washington, DC
November 11, 2013

A Little Background
Nailing down the numbers of women who served (in whatever capacity) in Vietnam remains elusive. What we will do here is address each organization with a little history, offer links for further study along with first-person remembrances whenever available and, of course, photographs. Ours was a generation that, without realizing it, was very involved on every level with the War. We cannot forget them. Any of them.

If you wish to contribute anything to this effort we- and our readers- will be forever grateful.

The stories of the women who served in Vietnam are as varied as one could imagine. Women represented all 50 states. They were all, truly, the unsung heroes- if there were to be any, of a brutal conflict.

Sound of Silence

The majority of women who we have interacted with, interviewed, conversed or just read their memories via internet research has been, at the very least- gut-wrenching. Most, if not all, do not wish to talk about their experiences. Some have written brief parts of chapters of books. Some have written poems and songs. Many have just gone and faded into the patchwork quilt of the walking wounded that peppers our American lives.

Their memories, their connections, friendships, relationships, views and losses are held close. Many have simply said "it's too personal".

May this small effort reassure them that they- and their brother soldiers- have truly not been forgotten. Life has given us that wisdom we've heard about all of our lives. We were all kids then. We are grown now with kids and grandkids of our own. Welcome home!

Posted on January 7, 2014-
A touching commeration of the women who served.

Welcome Home Our Sisters (click link)