Submitted by Betty Denney, Red Cross Donut Dollie, Korea 1967/68 WOMEN IN THE KOREAN WAR. During the Vietnam War, however, the focus began to shift from donuts to recreational activities. Inspired by the Salvation Army’s Donut Lassies who contributed morale services during World War I, National Donut Day was established in 1938. Doughnut Dollys in Vietnam. You can never forget it and never be trite, petty, little, or mean. Inside were coffee machines, donut fryers, chewing gum, cigarettes, newspapers, paperback books, and a phonograph with loudspeakers that would often play the tunes of the time. They offered her a role as a secretary, which she politely declined as it wasn’t quite her speed. While the number of men who lost their lives on the battlefront far outnumbered the women, the Donut Dollies also showed tremendous courage and selflessness during times of vast national uncertainty. “Some people thought we were just there to tease men. According to one report from late 1944, a total of 205 women had served well over 4.6 million donuts to soldiers in Great Britain. They provided a wide range of entertainment, including sing-a-longs, ping pong, and pool tournaments. Donut Dollies During World War II The Donut Dollies visited the injured and wounded in hospitals to support their recoveries. “In fact, I only saw one donut during my year-long deployment. I am so happy that you have had this experience. Doughnut Dollies first location is in Marietta. During the Vietnam War, the Donut Dollies flew in hueys and aboard planes, played games like blackjack and Jeopardy, sang songs and strummed guitars, all in order to create the initiative enacted by the Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas (SRAO). A total of 899 Donut Dollies served in South Korea from 1953 to 1973. While nurses treated the physical injuries, Donut Dollies tended to psychological wounds. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading Doughnut Dollies: American Red Cross Girls During World War II : A Novel. The boys are so cute, so young and most of them scared silly that they will be sent back to Korea (and I’m afraid they will be).”, In a return letter sent by her mother, Eleanor “Bumpy” Stevenson, a veteran of the Red Cross during World War II, she wrote: “There is no other work as fascinating and as rewarding and as deeply wonderful. American service men in England during World War II called American Red Cross girls ''Doughnut Dollies.'' Red Cross SRAO civilian volunteers served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam before the program was terminated in 1972. Under instruction of Harvey D. Gibson, an accomplished New York banker and ARC commissioner to Great Britain, free services were to be provided to airfields and base camps. By the wars end, 86 ARC workers and volunteers — 34 men and 52 women — lost their lives. Purviance kneeled in front of the wood-burning stove, tending the fire, as Sheldon fried the donuts, seven at a time. Inside the truck was a little kitchen, complete with doughnut maker and a hob to boil up water for coffee. After discussing with a teacher who served as a Korea Donut Dollie, she applied, was accepted, and had an adventure in Lai Khe, Phuc Vinh, and An Khe in the Central Highlands from July 1969 to August 1970. Getty ImagesWomen standing in front of the American Red Cross Clubmobile in England. These women were required to be at least 25 years old, college-educated, and able to provide recommendation letters and pass physical exams. “We really did not make donuts and deliver them to the field in Vietnam,” volunteer Debby MacSwain said. 1940s Fashion. In this manner, how many Donut Dollies died in Vietnam? Your curiosity knows no bounds. Getty ImagesDonut Dollies trying to fix a broken-down donut machine in a Clubmobile. So they surely deserve recognition for their work in the same way that troops do. Stationed in nearby towns and hotels, the Donut Dollier provided refreshments to Allied troops across France, Germany, Belgium, and Luxembourg until 1946 in the post-war period. Yet as the war raged on, the machines proved to be inefficient at keeping up with the high demand for the fried treats. Next they had to staff it. By the time the program ended in 1972, 627 had served in all operational areas, logging 2,125,000 air miles. Enter the Donut Dollies. She wrote several letters of her experience in Japan and Korea, providing insight into the personal lives of the women who were thousands of miles away from their homes. Twitter The American Red Cross Clubmobile Service was a mobile service club created during World War II to provide servicemen with food, entertainment and "a connection home." These Red Cross volunteers served to provide food, entertainment and a bit of a connection to home to servicemen stationed in Great Britain and those on many European battlefronts. These were run by American Red Cross women who risked their lifes while caring for the servicemen. American service men in England during World War II called American Red Cross girls "Doughnut Dollies." West Midtown. I arrange card games & ping-pong tournaments. “Someone said to me one time, ‘We wanted you there, and it hurt so much when you were’ — we reminded them of their humanity,” she said. You know now what is important. Long before the vocabulary surrounding PTSD came to be widely accepted, the Donut Dollies were there to listen, there to support, and there to try to understand. They offered her a role as a secretary, which she politely declined as it wasn’t quite her speed. We were wrong, or bad, because we were over there. While they may not have brandished guns or crawled through the trenches, these women held the line on the emotional battlefield. Mar 6, 2018 - Explore Sara Worth's board "Donut Dollies WWII" on Pinterest. As a group of female Red Cross volunteers, the Donut Dollies officially began traveling with American soldiers during World War II. They chose to serve armed only with humor and compassion. At 22 years old, Helen Stevenson Meyner was ecstatic to travel independently for a journey of a lifetime. Donut Dollies trying to fix a broken-down donut machine in a Clubmobile. He writes for his micro-blog @LateNightHistory on Instagram, where he shares the story behind the image. At 22 years old, Helen Stevenson Meyner was ecstatic to travel independently for a journey of a lifetime. “We dressed as Santas and they flew us, with red and green smoke trailing, to see the guys. During World War II, the Doughnut Corporation of America loaned 468 donut machines to the Red Cross. Click to read in-depth answer. In Korea, the Donut Dollie operation continued with a similar mission statement and different faces to share the experience with. How Racism, Police Incompetence, And Lying Witnesses Put Walter McMillian On Death Row For Six Years, Toxic Foam Washes Up On Indian Beach — And People Keep Taking Selfies In It, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. The days were all but routine — Judy Harper recalls being dropped off by helicopter in the middle of nowhere to do “their thing.” This entailed bringing plenty of ice cream to the soldiers that rose from the tall grass and exchanging pleasantries before a second helo returned to scoop them up before the enemy could attack. They also participated in the rear of the invasion of Normandy using American-driven clubmobiles. Directed by Norman Anderson. Each machine could yield about 48 dozen donuts per hour. So a call was sent out across America for Clubmobile Girls. Each was equipped with the necessities that mirrored that of a heavy-duty makeshift ice-cream truck. Additionally, how many nurses were in the Vietnam War? If only everyone in the world could have a similar experience we would have peace tomorrow and forever.”. February 4, 2019. Reply. Their sacrifice and service to the men and women in Vietnam will not fade as long as we continue to share their names. Marietta. In one letter addressed to her family on Nov. 15, 1950, she, , a veteran of the Red Cross during World War II, she wrote: “There is no other work as fascinating and as rewarding and as deeply wonderful. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Inspired by a simple idea from female volunteers during World War I, the work of the Donut Dollies spanned decades thanks to the tenacity and kindness of American women. Europe. The American Red Cross Clubmobile was conceived by Harvey D. Gibson, Red Cross. Throughout history, the roles that American women have played during times of war have often been overlooked and misunderstood. . Three of the Donut Dollies never made it home from. The donut dollies continued their service throughout France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany until the war was won in 1945 and would go on to operate during the Korean War and Vietnam War. American Red Cross. It was a warm and affectionate term designed to show the soldiers' appreciation for the morale-building efforts of the American Red Cross. Traveling in pairs, soldiers could come to the Dollies to talk about the emotional and psychological toll of combat because they knew they would understand. After discussing with a teacher who served as a Korea Donut Dollie, she applied, was accepted, and had an adventure in Lai Khe, Phuc Vinh, and An Khe in the Central Highlands from July 1969 to August 1970. In order to carry out this demand, they assembled single-decker English Green Line buses and transformed them into what later became known as clubmobiles. They served coffee and donuts, which earned them the nickname “Donut Dollies.” Aside from the routine, the Blood Donor Service enacted in 1941 allowed the women to aid in medical efforts by conducting blood plasma transfusions for those in need. A prototype Clubmobile was quickly pulled together, from an adapted Ford truck with a 10 horsepower engine that was dubbed the "St. Yield: 4 dozen donuts In Korea, the Donut Dollie operation continued with a similar mission statement and different faces to share the experience with. In addition to donuts, the Clubmobiles were also stocked with cigarettes, magazines, chewing gum, and newspapers that provided an additional sense of normalcy for all of the homesick soldiers. I haven’t talked to a Donut Dollie since leaving Vietnam in 1970. As Jensen noted in another letter to her family: “[I] have quite a responsible job and am quite thrilled that they felt I could handle it.”. Reply. U.S. Army Women in Vietnam As the American military presence in South Vietnam increased beginning in the early 1960s, so did that of the Army Nurse Corps. initially applied and interviewed for the State Department and CIA. Two American soldiers sample treats offered by the Donut Dollies in Normandy. On a surface level, their roles seemed simple: provide wholesome entertainment and a … Another Donut Dollie named Nancy Caracciolo Warner initially applied and interviewed for the State Department and CIA. Eventually, the Red Cross was forced to open up a handful of centralized bakeries in order to keep the Clubmobiles stocked. While donuts are a quintessential American culinary experience, the Donut Dollies are also an American phenomenon — full of phenomenal women. See more ideas about american red cross, wwii, red cross. The Donut Dollies are no different. During WWII in Amrerica Schiap was getting restless, so she decided to don a new outfit - The Red Cross nurse's uniform. 25 years ago, on the 50th anniversary of D-Day, the local NBC station in Chicago interviewed my Mom for a story on the Women of Normandy. One volunteer, Clara Schannep Jensen, wrote in a letter to her family back home: “The day before yesterday we spent the whole day making doughnuts. He prides himself on uncovering the most fascinating tales of history by sharing them through any means of engaging storytelling. ... Why does the organization keep insisting this was only a WW2 phenomenon? After a Donut Dollie completed her training, she was sent overseas, where she would often operate a “Clubmobile,” which was basically a mobile army clubhouse that was able to travel directly to soldiers stationed at faraway bases or camps in the field. Doughnut Dollies were women volunteers of the Salvation Army, who traveled to France in 1918 to support US soldiers. 1940s Woman. By World War II, the American Red Cross sought out a very exclusive group of women to be Donut Dollies. Follow Matt Fratus: “Everywhere we went, we took donuts, fresh baked daily by Korean bakers, for the troops,” said volunteer Patricia Lorge. The American Red Cross Donut Dollies were very popular with the troops during the Vietnam War. 1940. Donut Dollies is the nickname for the American Red Cross’s Supplemental Recreational Activities Overseas staff or SRAO. Though the history of female wartime volunteers “who fried donuts and dodged bombs” actually dates back as far back as 1917, this practice was far more casual and relaxed during World War I. Left to right, CWO2 Dennis Rudel, 4th Missile Command; Leave a Reply Cancel reply. These workers provided that special link back home by offering a listening ear and recreation to our troops in need. Getty ImagesTwo American soldiers sample treats offered by the Donut Dollies in Normandy. Their sacrifice and service to the men and women in Vietnam will not fade as long as we continue to share their names. Circa 1942. I talk to patients (incidentally the majority of the patients are not in bed but hang around the lounge here at the hospital)…drink gallons of coffee, wrap packages, take the patients over to entertainment at the Special Services club. “That was easier said than done. it is our deepest hope that by creating this website that we not only honor the clubmobilers throughout the world, but hopefully 89 year old mary who is now living in florida will be able to connect with someone from her past WORLD WAR II WOMEN. Join the list to receive special offers, updates, and everything Black Rifle Coffee. The days were all but routine —. There were 627 young women who served in the American Red Cross Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas program during the Vietnam War. Young smiling faces dressed in light-blue uniforms — 627 in total — they were more valuable than they would ever realize. On June 28th, 2019 we opened our second location in West Midtown! Copyright © 2021 Coffee or Die Magazine. You can never forget it and never be trite, petty, little, or mean. “I only saw one doughnut during my yearlong deployment,” MacSwain said. “As ‘Donut Dollies’ our job was to lift the guys’ spirits,” said Jeanne Christie, who volunteered during the Vietnam War. The Red Cross had sent teams of women overseas to work with troops since World War II. Meet The Donut Dollies, The Unsung Women Who Gave Out Sweet Treats On The Front Lines. All Rights Reserved. It was a warm and affectionate term designed to show the soldiers' appreciation for the morale-building efforts of the American Red Cross. Her most prized memory occurred on a holiday: “I remember the Dust Off crew who, on their own time, took two of us out to many of the firebases and outposts outside of An Khe on Christmas Day,” she recalled. He is also the host of the Late Night History podcast. Neither do we. When browned, remove donuts and allow excess fat to drip off. The ladies were so beloved that 205 ARC women delivered 4,659,728 donuts, according to one December 1944 report. Alan Turing, World War II’s Greatest Code Breaker, Becomes New Face of £50 Note, Operation Porcupine: The Air Force Plan To Rescue Downed F-16 Pilots, 10 Marines Just Became the 1st To Earn the Title ‘Recon Sniper’, The Night a Vietnam Medic Rushed To Save an NHL Goalie Bleeding Out on the Ice, Texas National Guard Soldiers Held at Gunpoint in ‘Crazy’ Incident, The Legend of Jim Capers: The Hero Who Never Was, Specialist Dies in Swamp Phase of Ranger School, Local Opposition Stalls $1.9 Billion Hawaii-Based Homeland Defense Radar, ‘American Cartel’: New Docuseries Investigates Cop’s Murder, Deadly SoCal Cartel, Book Review: ‘Code Red Fallujah’ Is a Surgeon’s Tale of the Bloody First Battle of Fallujah, Iran, China Sign Controversial 25-Year ‘Strategic Cooperation Pact’, Web Design and Development by Hire Jordan Smith. Three of the Donut Dollies never made it home from Vietnam: Hannah E. Crews died in a jeep accident in Bien Hoa on Oct. 2, 1969; Virginia E. Kirsch was murdered by a U.S. soldier on drugs in Cu Chi on Aug. 16, 1969; and Lucinda J. Richter died of Guillain-Barre syndrome in Cam Ranh Bay on Feb. 9, 1969. All of the services provided by the Clubmobile were free, although some Clubmobiles began charging for food after 1942. This is the story of a group of amazing American women who volunteered to serve during the Vietnam War through the Red Cross as part of a program called Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas (SRAO), better known by our brave military men as “The Donut Dollies”. Commissioner to Great Britain, who wanted to create a mobile service club. However, she acknowledges that the experience was far from perfect. It was a warm and affectionate term designed to show the soldiers' appreciation for the morale-building efforts of the American Red Cross. The. The American Red Cross (ARC) has kept the tradition alive by bringing delicious donuts to American troops spanning three additional wars and four decades. If only everyone in the world could have a similar experience we would have peace tomorrow and forever.”, Young smiling faces dressed in light-blue uniforms — 627 in total — they were more valuable than they would ever realize. These single decker green buses were outfitted with the equipment Donut Dollies needed to make fresh donuts right on the spot for hungry troops. 1944. January 23, 2020. They provided services to the United States military at different bases and hospitals throughout Vietnam. From World War II to Korea and the Vietnam War, , an accomplished New York banker and ARC commissioner to Great Britain, free services were to be provided to airfields and base camps. Phone: (404) 365-5437. They could have easily been enjoying their post-college early 20s in the U.S. as so many of their peers did, but instead they volunteered to entertain the troops with purpose and duty. Holly Watts shared in an interview with PBS the power of being present with the men. shared in an interview with PBS the power of being present with the men. You know now what is important. Turn the donuts slowly several times. Donut Dollies may refer to: Women who volunteered in the American Red Cross Clubmobile Service during World War II. They were ready to serve up smiles — even when they didn’t feel like smiling themselves. In remembrance of these women’s act of bravery the Salvation army created “National Donut Day” in 1938 which we have continued to celebrate.