Women Under Fire
The Story of Women Who Served in Vietnam
More Than a Name on the Wall Each year, millions of visitors walk along the polished black granite of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Many never realize that just a short distance away stands another powerful tribute—a bronze sculpture honoring the thousands of women who served during the Vietnam War. The Vietnam Women's Memorial tells a story that deserves to be remembered. While American combat troops often dominate discussions about the war, more than 265,000 women served in the U.S. military during the Vietnam era, and roughly 10,000 were stationed in Vietnam itself. Their contributions saved lives, boosted morale, gathered intelligence, and supported military operations under many of the same dangerous conditions faced by the men they served beside.
Answering the Call
American women began serving in Vietnam before large numbers of combat troops arrived. In 1956, three women traveled to Saigon to train local nurses in modern medical procedures. As U.S. involvement expanded throughout the 1960s, thousands more women followed. About 90 percent served as nurses, but women also worked as physicians, intelligence specialists, administrators, communications personnel, journalists, and members of the American Red Cross.
Purple Heart recipients Ruth Mason, Captain Kuntze, Darby Reynolds, and Commander Turley at Brink Barracks in Vietnam, January 1965. |
PatrThe Vietnam Women's Memorial honors the more than 10,000 American military women who served in Vietnam, recognizing their courage, sacrifice, and service. |
Caring for the Wounded
Medical evacuation had changed dramatically since World War II. Helicopters could transport wounded soldiers from the battlefield to surgical hospitals in minutes rather than hours. That rapid evacuation saved lives—but it also meant nurses often received patients with devastating injuries who required immediate care. Working long shifts six or seven days a week, military nurses became experts in trauma medicine. They treated burns, amputations, chest wounds, and other life-threatening injuries, often making split-second decisions that determined whether a patient survived. Air Force nurses even cared for wounded troops aboard flying medical evacuation aircraft that functioned as airborne intensive care units.
More Than Nurses
Not every woman in Vietnam worked in a hospital. Members of the American Red Cross, affectionately known as the "Donut Dollies," traveled throughout South Vietnam visiting bases to boost troop morale through games, conversation, and recreation programs. Other women served in intelligence, communications, public affairs, and administrative positions that kept military operations running. Together, they became an essential part of the American effort in Vietnam. <!-- Advertisement Divider -->
The Hidden Cost of Service
Although many women were not assigned to combat units, they were hardly removed from danger. Rocket attacks, mortar fire, aircraft accidents, and the constant flow of casualties meant they experienced many of the same hardships as the soldiers they treated. Many lived in Quonset huts, wore helmets and protective gear, and endured sleepless nights interrupted by explosions and emergency alarms. Like countless Vietnam veterans, many returned home carrying invisible wounds. Post-traumatic stress affected numerous nurses and other women who had witnessed the physical and emotional toll of war firsthand. Unfortunately, many also returned to a country deeply divided over the conflict, where their service often went unrecognized.
A Memorial Long Overdue
Recognition finally came in 1993 with the dedication of the Vietnam Women's Memorial. The statue depicts three women caring for a wounded soldier, symbolizing the compassion, courage, and professionalism demonstrated by thousands of women during the war. It was the first memorial on the National Mall dedicated specifically to honoring the service of military women.
The Eight Women Who Never Came Home
Eight American military women lost their lives while serving in Vietnam.
They were:
• Eleanor Grace Alexander
• Pamela Dorothy Donovan
• Carol Ann Elizabeth Drazba
• Annie Ruth Graham
• Elizabeth Ann Jones
• Mary Therese Klinker
• Sharon Ann Lane
• Hedwig Diane Orlowski
Today, their names are engraved alongside more than 58,000 others on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, ensuring their sacrifice is remembered alongside those they served.
Did You Know?
• About 10,000 American military women served in Vietnam.
• Roughly 90% were nurses.
• Helicopter medical evacuations dramatically changed battlefield medicine during the war.
• The Vietnam Women's Memorial was dedicated in 1993, nearly twenty years after the war ended.
• It was the first memorial on the National Mall dedicated specifically to military women.
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About the Historian
Annie Joy Austin is an aviation journalist, photographer, and historian based in Fort Worth, Texas. She has worked in the aerospace industry for nearly a decade, including several years as a corporate historian for The Boeing Company. In that role, she collaborated with the Commemorative Air Force on a variety of projects focused on preserving and sharing aviation history. She is currently pursuing her Private Pilot License and hopes to one day fly with the CAF.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many American women served in Vietnam?
Approximately 10,000 American military women served in Vietnam during the war, while more than 265,000 women served in the military during the Vietnam era.
What jobs did women perform during the Vietnam War?
Most served as nurses, but women also worked in intelligence, communications, administration, journalism, medicine, and humanitarian support through organizations such as the American Red Cross.
Did women serve in combat?
Women were generally not assigned to combat units, but many served in dangerous environments where they experienced enemy attacks, cared for severely wounded troops, and faced many of the same risks as combat personnel.
What is the Vietnam Women's Memorial?
Located near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., the Vietnam Women's Memorial honors the thousands of women who served during the war and recognizes their contributions and sacrifices.
How many American military women died in Vietnam?
Eight American military women lost their lives while serving in Vietnam. Seven died in accidents or from illness, while one, 1st Lt. Sharon Ann Lane, was killed by enemy rocket fire.
Sources and Further Reading
This article was researched using historical information from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Vietnam Women's Memorial Foundation, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, the Trust for the National Mall, War.gov, and interviews published by CBS News.
The Commemorative Air Force is committed to preserving the aircraft and stories of all who served. By sharing the experiences of the women of Vietnam alongside the aircraft that supported them, we help ensure future generations understand the courage, sacrifice, and service that shaped history.
