Women in Vietnam were not “safe behind the lines.” There were no safe places in Vietnam. Many were wounded; most spent time in bunkers during attacks. Eight military women died in Vietnam and are listed on The Wall. More than 50 civilian women serving in support of the Armed Forces died in Vietnam. Their names on not on the Wall. http://www.virtualwall.org/
The war in Vietnam rained death on 58,318 American men and women serving there, and injuries to thousands more. America has never drafted women to serve in the Armed Forces. They have all volunteered. Civilian and military women supported American efforts during the Vietnam Era; an era loosely defined as 1956 – 1975. The Vietnam Women’s Memorial honors all civilian women who worked in support of the Armed Forces, and the 265,00 American military women who served our nation world wide during the Vietnam Era. More than 10,000 of these women performed their duty in-country Vietnam as photojournalists, intelligence officers, translators, Special Service, flight controllers, the Red Cross, USO, and others. Approximately 90% of military women in Vietnam were nurses from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Dedicated female nurses, physical therapists and other female medical workers cared for more than 300,000 wounded, saving nearly 98 % of those who they cared for in hospitals. The Vietnam Women’s Memorial recognizes and honors women’s contribution, courage, and unyielding devotion to duty ~ many of whom worked long hours without respite under perilous conditions. The photo collage is a reflection of women in service during the Vietnam Era.
