All About Vets: Barbara Lilly of Donut Dollies

During the Vietnam War, Red Cross workers  provided services to U.S. military personnel and assist Vietnamese refugees (1962-1974) In 1962, the American Red Cross sent its first paid field staff to Vietnam to assist the growing number of servicemen at various bases and hospitals. At the height of its involvement in 1968, 480 field directors, hospital personnel, and recreation assistants (Donut Dollies) served throughout Southeast Asia. Red Cross workers, who provided 1.9 million services to U.S. military personnel, shared the hardships and privations of war with the soldiers. Five Red Cross staff members gave their lives, and many others were injured as they helped servicemen resolve personal problems or get home when emergency leave was granted due to death or serious illness in their immediate family.

One of these volunteers is Barbara Lilly.  Barbara graduated from Wayne State in Detroit  (Masters much later at Texas State San Marcos) and then on to Vietnam. She served in VN 3/68 through 3/69. During that time she was assigned to Phan Rang, Lai Khe, Cam Ranh Army and II Field Forces. She also did  TDY to Cam Ranh Air Force Base ... She had double pneumonia and it wasn't raining there so they sent her there once she got out of the hospital.

Don Marsh

303 514-7916

www.AllAboutVets.us

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