[June 1, 2023] Did you ever see the face of a troop in a combat zone who sees, for the first time, a young beautiful Red Cross Donut Dolly? That troop is magically transformed from a mentally hardened, physically grubby and weary Soldier, Marine, Sailor, Airman or Coastie into a smiling, joking, happy, jolly, friendly person you might be unable to tell apart from a carefree college student attending a frat party.
The Donut Dolly mission seemed simple. They were to give those troops fighting in a foreign land a bit of wholesome entertainment and a taste of home. My friends from the Vietnam War never took them for granted. Yes, the Donut Dollies also served donuts, but they did much much more. And they were not sitting on a comfortable sofa in the States or holding up anti-Vietnam War signs protesting or whining about the poor Communist soldier while sitting on a North Vietnamese antiaircraft gun. The Dollies’ work was in an active combat zone, dangerous, and some died fulfilling their mission.
Morale is a state of mind because it manifests determination, courage, and confidence. The reputation of Donut Dollies reverberates throughout America’s military culture to this day. Women who made up the Donut Dollies gave an often-underappreciated boost to the morale of American troops during the Vietnam War and World War II. We should thank them for what they did for us all.
“Morale is to the physical as 3 to 1” is a wise saying of Napoléon Bonaparte. He understood warfare better than any contemporary military leader (and that’s indisputable). After his lifetime of intense combat experience, he had something profoundly important to say to his subordinate commanders. Did he exaggerate the effect of morale? I think not.
Donut Dollies must be recognized for what they did and the importance of their presence on troop morale. You don’t have to serve in combat to understand. You have to be a human with a soul.
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Wonderful! Thank,you Gen. Satterfield.
My dad was in the Vietnam War and he told me stories about these lovely women.
You are very fortunate to have a dad who served and is able still to tell you about those experiences. Too many of us have lost our parents who were there and no longer can hear about what really happened and about those like these Donut Dollies who were a godsend.
Women serving their country with honor. I am so glad they as well as other women are being recognized for their role in the military.
“An army of sheep led by a lion is better than an army of lions led by a sheep.” ― Alexander the Great. Leadership means alot but morale still is big.
Donut Dollies. Unsung heroes. Unrecognized heroes.
Willie, I think you have summarized what most of us think when we hear of Donut Dollies. But I will pick out one thing that Gen. Satterfield wrote, “The reputation of Donut Dollies reverberates throughout America’s military culture to this day. ” Today’s military, I’m not so sure, but in Gen. Satterfield’s time, definitely YES.
Wonderful ….. Donut Dollies. Since WWII. What happened after Vietnam? Now we just have the USO giving our soldiers entertainment. Or am I wrong?
The military also has an MWR branch too.
Love the Napoleon quote.
“In politics stupidity is not a handicap.”
Think what you will of Bonaparte, he was a great soldier.
Profile: Napoléon Bonaparte
https://www.theleadermaker.com/profile-napoleon-bonaparte/
This is where you can learn a lot about someone, at least a tiny bit. Gen. Satterfield encourages us to research more on the topic of our choice. I recommend doing so.
Never underestimate someone or you might just pay a price. Many of Bonaparte’s enemies underestimate him and paid with their lives.
This tells much about the importance of soldier morale. I also think Napoleon Bonaparte underestimate its importance in battle. 3 to 1?? Maybe better 10 to 1.
Yes, indeed, and very much underrated.
Yes, indeed.
Excellent comments on a super blog post. Thank you, Gen. Satterfield for bringing this to light.
Another great article, Gen. Satterfield. I have never heard of them. Thank you.
Me either, now I do. Nice article.:
THE UNTOLD TRUTH OF THE VIETNAM WAR’S ‘DONUT DOLLIES’
Read More: https://www.grunge.com/706680/the-untold-truth-of-the-vietnam-wars-donut-dollies/
… the untold story. Love it. 😉
This is how education really works. Or you can go to college and become indoctrinated by the latest fads of the left.
Wow, excellent article. Thanks!
Hey guys, be sure to read the DAILY FAVORITES section (seperate tab). It’s about the store Target grooming little kids to be LGBTQ+ XYZ. And now, Target has lost $10 billion in market valuation over the last 10 days as the retailer continues to face backlash over its Pride-themed clothing line for children. BOYCOTT Target. Never go back.
Right, they’re going after the kids. Grooming. Disgusting.
Ouch! How stupid. Who is in charge at Target anyway? How can someone do something so stupid and try to get away with it? Total ignorance. Target CEO Brian Cornell has defended the LBGTQ-friendly merchandise, saying selling them was “the right thing for society.” CEO Cornell’s name needs to be forever written in stone how he is trying to destroy families and turn little kids into sexual robots for the LGTBQ lobby. Is he taking enough heat for his immorality? Not yet. And he won’t unless good Americans stand up to him.
Beautifully written.
Exactly why I keep coming back to this website by Gen. Satterfield. He always hits the right tone and I’m proud to be a regular reader of his. Keep up the wonderful work you are doing Gen. S. and in this case highlighting the Donut Dollies.
Nailed it, thanks Emma. And I will note that there are many good men like Gen. Satterfield. These kind of men are those you can trust and know they will protect the innocent and those who cannot defend themselves from the evils of the world.
Loving it……… and get a copy of his most recent book “55 Rules for a Good Life,” the link is above. It gives some wonderful, sage advice.
Obama Cash, that’s why we are here. To learn. To know. To be a better person.
👍💖😍😎😊😁😜😉😀