Southern Cross information
for 23 INF DIV
For date 700703
23 INF DIV was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Quang Tin Province, I Corps, South Vietnam
Location, Chu Lai
Description: The following is an edited version of an article titled "Doughnut Dollies" by SP4 William Hayes (Americal IO).
CHU LAI - On a remote firebase, anticipant heads turn to the direction of a distant throb of a helicopter rotor. Within minutes, the aircraft makes its final approach to the landing pad and touches down. Instead of green-fatigued men, two girls in blue dresses step down from the chopper. One offers a greeting to the men as soon as the slick's departure makes conversation possible again. The other chats with individuals or small groups as she heads for a place to sit down and spend an hour with the men. As she passes near, many have the feeling they've seen her before. She may look like the girl next door, a friend back home, or maybe somebody's kid sister. Maybe it's just because of her warm smile and friendly greeting. She's here in Vietnam, often on forward LZs and fire support bases. She's here because she wants to be here - she asked to come. She works for the American Red Cross. She's a Doughnut Dolly. Being a Doughnut Dolly calls for a lot. The job is demanding. There's a grueling schedule that sends each girl to the field as often as five times a week. The girls carry all their materials with them, they don't have anyone to lug their gear for them. They wouldn't have it any other way. Every girl that works as a Doughnut Dolly is a college graduate between 21 and 25. Before she's accepted for an overseas assignment, she's screened by Red Cross personnel in Washington D.C. When the girls come to the Red Cross, they're ready to go to Korea or Vietnam after two weeks of orientation. It's a quick move from the campus or stateside business office to Chu Lai, but the girls make the transition well. Starting next week, the Southern Cross will feature interviews with each of the Doughnut Dollies working in the area.
The source for this information was 7007_324_scr supplied by Les Hines 12/23/2000
Additional information is available on CD-ROM.
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Last updated
12/23/2000
Date posted on this site:
05/13/2023