The Donut Dollies Of Vietnam: The Saga of the American Red Cross Girls

The Donut Dollies of Vietnam left a lasting legacy, and their stories continue to be remembered as part of the broader narrative of the Vietnam War.

The Donut Dollies of Vietnam were young American women who volunteered with the American Red Cross to provide recreational and morale-boosting services to U.S. military personnel during the Vietnam War. The term “Donut Dolly” originated from the Red Cross practice of offering coffee and donuts to soldiers as a means of boosting their spirits and providing a taste of home.

Quote: As the war raged on without an end in sight, many college-educated young people became increasingly opposed to it with each passing day. They rejected the mounting American presence and suppression of free speech on campuses as they became disillusioned with the United States' approach to the situation in Vietnam, History reported. Many young people across college campuses joined anti-war movements and pushed back against being drafted. But some women saw all of this happening and went by choice to help the American soldiers overseas feel some sense of home and to see the truth for themselves. They were called Donut Dollies. Unquote

The history of The Donut Dollies click here

The roles of the Donut Dollies were diverse and multifaceted. They organized recreational activities, such as games, contests, and entertainment shows, to provide soldiers with a break from the stresses of war. They also facilitated communication between soldiers and their families back home, offering a link to the world beyond the war zone.

One of the most iconic contributions of the Donut Dollies was their mobile recreation units, which often involved traveling to remote or front-line areas in helicopters. These units brought a touch of home to soldiers by providing games, entertainment, and, yes, donuts and coffee. The sight of the Donut Dollies arriving in their Red Cross uniforms and offering a moment of respite from the harsh realities of war became a symbol of comfort for many troops.

The experiences of the Donut Dollies were unique, as they navigated the challenges of working in a war zone while trying to maintain a positive and supportive presence for the military personnel. Their contributions were not only appreciated by the soldiers but also acknowledged by the military as an essential component of the overall well-being of the troops during a difficult time.

The Donut Dollies helped the soldiers in Vietnam

Barbara will show a video and talk about the role of young women volunteers during the Vietnam war who were known as “Donut Dollies.” She graduated from college in later 1967 with a BA in Journalism and then left for a year as a recreation worker (Donut Dollie) in Vietnam with the American Red Cross. She served in Viet Nam from March 1968 to March 1969 and was stationed at Phan Rang with the 101st Airborne Division, Lai Khe with the 1st Infantry Division, II Field Forces and Cam Ranh Army.

Photo: Donut Dollie leads a game to help soldiers relax.

Terre Deegan-Young, raised in a suburb of Chicago, was hired by the Red Cross shortly after her college graduation. Terre served as a Recreation Specialist for the Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas (SRAO) program and left for Vietnam in 1970. Terre and the other Recreation Specialists, nicknamed “Donut Dollies,” created programs to bring cheer and a touch of home to the many young soldiers deployed in scattered firebases. Among her locations in Vietnam included the Americal Division (Chu Lai), 1st Cav Division (Bien Hoa) and the 101st Airborne Division (Camp Eagle).

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