Donut Dollies in Vietnam

The Scuttlebutt: Understanding Military Culture

This video features a compelling conversation centered around a documentary in production about the “Donut Dollies” in Vietnam. The filmmaker, Libby, whose mother was a Donut Dolly, discusses her project and its significance in highlighting the often-overlooked contributions of these women during the Vietnam War. Libby’s goal is to bring to light the stories of the 627 women who served as Donut Dollies, part of the American Red Cross’s recreation program in Vietnam. She emphasizes that these women served for a full year, a commitment often minimized or misunderstood, and that they are still not officially recognized as military veterans. This lack of recognition is a driving force behind her documentary.

The conversation opens with Libby explaining her motivation, fueled by her parents’ story – her mother, a Donut Dolly, meeting her father, a helicopter pilot, at Camp Eagle. She notes the consistent surprise and misunderstanding she encounters when mentioning her mother’s service, with people often assuming it was a short-term, superficial role. This misunderstanding underscores the need for a documentary that reveals the true scope and impact of the Donut Dollies’ work in Vietnam.

A significant part of the video focuses on Libby’s quest to gather material for her documentary, titled something like “Donut Dollies: Brave Women in the Vietnam War.” She’s already interviewed seventeen Donut Dollies, but she desperately needs veteran accounts to provide context and perspective. She actively solicits testimonials from Vietnam veterans, emphasizing that even brief recollections of their interactions with the Donut Dollies—positive memories or significant encounters—would greatly enhance the documentary.

Several Vietnam veterans participate in the video call, offering invaluable insights and personal anecdotes. One veteran recounts a poignant story of a Donut Dolly, Jenny Kersch, who died shortly after arriving in Vietnam, highlighting the inherent risks these women faced. Another veteran, Rick Weber, a member of the 101st Airborne Division stationed at Camp Eagle, offers to connect Libby with Susan McLean, another Donut Dolly who served with Libby’s mother. He shares his own positive memories of the Donut Dollies, emphasizing their significant morale-boosting role for enlisted men, a function officers weren’t typically involved in. Other veterans share stories, including one of Donut Dollies asleep in a helicopter after a long day, and another of a Donut Dolly holding a baby at an airport before departing for Vietnam. This underscores the often-unseen human cost of service.

The discussion also tackles the controversial “Donut Dolly” moniker itself. Some find the term demeaning and sexist, while others embrace it as the established term of endearment given by the troops they served. The participants acknowledge the diverse opinions surrounding the name, and that some women preferred “SR American Red Cross girls.” This demonstrates the complexity of the legacy of the Donut Dollies and the varied perspectives on this aspect of their service.

The video concludes with Libby reiterating her urgent need for veterans’ accounts and photos before the March release date, coinciding with Women’s History Month, Red Cross Month, and Vietnam Veterans Day. She makes contact information available, underscoring the importance of sharing these stories to ensure the Donut Dollies’ contributions during the Vietnam War are properly acknowledged and remembered. The conversation reveals not only the Donut Dollies’ significant role in boosting morale in Vietnam but also the lasting impact their service has had on the veterans they supported, as well as their own personal and enduring legacy. The call to action for veterans to share their memories underlines the documentary’s aim: to finally give these brave women in Vietnam the recognition and respect they so richly deserve.

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