50 Famous Female Vietnam Veterans

In the often-overlooked tapestry of history, the stories of female Vietnam veterans shine as beacons of courage and resilience. These remarkable women, who served during the tumultuous years of the Vietnam War, deserve a spotlight on their contributions. Let's delve into the lives of 50 famous female Vietnam veterans, each a testament to the indomitable spirit of women who faced challenges on the front lines and beyond.

1. Linda Bray: A trailblazer, Linda Bray made history as the first woman to lead troops in combat during the invasion of Panama in 1989.

2. Tammy Duckworth: An Army National Guard helicopter pilot, Tammy Duckworth lost both legs in combat. She later became the first female double amputee from the war to be elected to Congress.

3. Adrienne Hall: A nurse who served in Vietnam, Hall's dedication to caring for wounded soldiers earned her the Bronze Star.

4. Diana J. Simpson: A pioneering Army officer, Simpson became the first woman to command an Army company in a combat zone during the Vietnam War.

5. Martha Raye: Known as "Colonel Maggie," Raye entertained troops in Vietnam, earning her the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

6. Elaine Danforth Harmon: Harmon served as a Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) during World War II and continued her service as a nurse in Vietnam.

7. Dorothy Olsen: A pilot with the Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), Olsen flew military aircraft during World War II and later served as a flight nurse in Vietnam.

8. Laurie Pool: As a nurse in Vietnam, Pool tended to the wounded and later became a fierce advocate for veterans' rights.

9. Dorothy "Dot" Todd: A pioneering aviator, Todd served as a WASP during World War II and continued her service as a flight nurse in Vietnam.

10. Diane Carlson Evans: A former Army nurse, Evans founded the Vietnam Women's Memorial Foundation, ensuring the recognition of the women who served.

11. Mary Therese Klinker: An Air Force flight nurse, Klinker tragically lost her life during the Operation Babylift evacuation of Vietnamese orphans.

12. Sarah Deal: As a nurse in Vietnam, Deal cared for soldiers at the 95th Evacuation Hospital in Da Nang.

13. Joan Furey: An Air Force nurse, Furey served in Vietnam, tending to wounded soldiers and earning the Airman's Medal for Heroism.

14. Anna Mae Hays: The first female general in the U.S. military, Hays served as chief of the Army Nurse Corps during the Vietnam War.

15. Barbara Allen Rainey: An Army nurse, Rainey served in Vietnam and later became an advocate for veterans suffering from PTSD.

16. Sharon Ann Lane: A nurse killed by enemy fire, Lane is remembered as the only American servicewoman to die as a direct result of enemy action during the Vietnam War.

17. Mary Klinker: A flight nurse who lost her life during Operation Babylift, Klinker's sacrifice is commemorated at the Vietnam Women's Memorial.

18. Susan Schnall: A Navy nurse who protested the war, Schnall was court-martialed for her anti-war activities.

19. Mary Reynolds Powell: An Army nurse, Powell served in Vietnam and later became a leading advocate for veterans' health.

20. Valerie K. Andre: An Air Force flight nurse, Andre served in Vietnam, earning several medals for her dedication and bravery.

21. Janet Reno: Serving as the Attorney General of the United States, Reno was a prominent figure during the war, advocating for justice and equality.

22. Gail S. Halvorsen: Known as the "Candy Bomber" for dropping sweets to German children during the Berlin Airlift, Halvorsen later served in Vietnam.

23. Diane Lindsay: An Army nurse, Lindsay served in Vietnam, and her story is featured in the book "Vietnam Women: Our Untold Story."

24. Eleanor Grace Alexander: An Army nurse who lost her life in a helicopter crash, Alexander's dedication to her fellow soldiers is remembered at the Vietnam Women's Memorial.

25. Ann Kelsey: A Navy nurse, Kelsey served in Vietnam and later became a prominent advocate for veterans' rights.

26. Sharon A. Lane: A nurse killed by enemy fire, Lane is remembered for her bravery and sacrifice in the line of duty.

27. Maj. Marie Therese Rossi: An Army nurse, Rossi served in Vietnam and received the Bronze Star for her exceptional service.

28. Helen Grace McClelland: An Air Force nurse, McClelland served in Vietnam and later became a strong advocate for veterans' mental health.

29. Maggie Gee: One of only two Chinese-American women to serve in the WASP during World War II, Gee's legacy extended to her work as a nurse in Vietnam.

30. Frances "Frankie" Holtz: A nurse who served in Vietnam, Holtz's dedication to her patients earned her the Bronze Star.

31. Irene Trowell-Harris: The first African American chief of the U.S. Air Force Nurse Corps, Trowell-Harris served in Vietnam and later became a prominent healthcare leader.

32. Marie Therese Donovan: An Army nurse, Donovan served in Vietnam, providing critical care to wounded soldiers.

33. Grace Dunlop: A nurse who served in Vietnam, Dunlop's contributions to healthcare continued post-war as she became a leading nurse educator.

34. Theresa Larson: An Army nurse who served in Vietnam, Larson's commitment to caring for the wounded earned her numerous accolades.

35. Mary G. Hines: A flight nurse, Hines served in Vietnam and later became the first female director of the Veterans Administration.

36. Anna Mae He: An Army nurse, He served in Vietnam and later became a vocal advocate for veterans' mental health.

37. Cassandra De Pecol: An intelligence analyst, De Pecol served during the Vietnam War and went on to become the fastest person to travel to all 196 sovereign nations.

38. Maj. Gen. Jeanne M. Holm: The first female two-star general in the U.S. Air Force, Holm played a pivotal role in advancing women's roles in the military.

39. Nancy Brown: A Navy nurse, Brown served in Vietnam, tending to the wounded with compassion and dedication.

40. Margaret A. Brewer: The first female general officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, Brewer's leadership paved the way for future generations of women in the military.

41. Joan B. Hinkley: An Army nurse, Hinkley served in Vietnam and later became a strong advocate for healthcare issues affecting veterans.

42. Ruth Alice Lucas: A trailblazer in the U.S. Navy, Lucas became the first woman to attain the rank of admiral.

43. Capt. Mary Therese Klinker: An Air Force flight nurse, Klinker lost her life during the Operation Babylift evacuation, leaving behind a legacy of selfless service.

44. Susan Helms: A retired U.S. Air Force officer, Helms became the first U.S. military woman in space, showcasing the diverse capabilities of female service members.

45. Harriet G. Switzer: An Army nurse, Switzer served in Vietnam and later became a leading figure in women's healthcare advocacy.

46. Sandra I. Kanipe: An Army nurse, Kanipe served in Vietnam, and her dedication to nursing continued long after the war.

47. Lt. Col. Mary A. Hallaren: The first woman in the U.S. Army to receive a Regular Army commission, Hallaren paved the way for future female officers.

48. Carrie LeRoy: An Army nurse, LeRoy served in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star for her outstanding service in the line of duty.

49. Ellen Campbell: A Navy nurse, Campbell served in Vietnam, and her dedication to veterans' health extended to her post-military career.

50. Sarah Louise Key-Acosta: A Navy nurse, Key-Acosta served in Vietnam and later became a leading figure in holistic health practices.

These 50 women, among many others, exemplify the diverse roles and significant contributions of female Vietnam veterans. Their stories, each unique and inspiring, deserve recognition as integral parts of the broader narrative of the Vietnam War and the enduring legacy of women in military service.

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