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Women's Role In The Vietnam War

Decent Essays

Kailey Lewis Professor John Almy English 1A November 23, 2016 “Put on Some Perfume, Lipstick, and A Smile”—Women and Their Roles in the Vietnam War The U.S.’s involvement in the Vietnam war took place between the years 1961 and 1968. This was a time of change—a time of hope. There were several very powerful movements that went on during the span of those seven years, including the Gay Rights, Civil Rights, Anti-Vietnam War protests, and finally, the Women’s Liberation movement. The U.S.’s involvement in the war was, and is one of America’s biggest controversies. Our involvement in the war was because of the Truman Doctrine—a foreign policy put in place after World War Two that would “…provide political, military and economic assistance …show more content…

The smells are of fresh blood, old blood, rotting human flesh, body fluids, disinfectants, iodine, drainage from various infections and God knows what else. Men are strung up in all kinds of traction, some have bulky splints or dressings and a few have casts of all kinds. Pieces of them are missing. (“Women in Vietnam: The Aftermath” 2) The average age of a nurse in Vietnam was 23. Because of the high demand for nurses in the war, their expertise ranged from “…barely six months of Nursing under their belts…” to “…experienced veterans of twenty plus years.” (Women of the Vietnam War: Nurses.” 1) Though nurses served a vital part in the war, they weren’t the only ones. Women also served as “…physicians, physical therapists, personnel in the Medical Service Corps, air traffic controllers, communications specialists, intelligence officers, clerks, and in other capacities in different branches of the armed services.” (“Vietnam Women’s Memorial” 2,) But the women that did the most to boost the morale of the soldiers were women nicknamed Donut Dollies— “a reference to the Red Cross Donut canteens of World War II.” (“Women of the Vietnam War: Donut Dollies” 1.) Women were recruited “…between the ages of 21 to 26…” and “…participated in a two-week training course in Washington D.C.…” (“Women of the Vietnam War: Donut Dollies”1-2.) Donut Dollies were put amid danger, as they were sent out to offer companionship to soldiers, they “…often brought

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