In the Combat Zone: An Oral History of American Women in Vietnam

by Kathryn Marshall

Biographies of twenty women who went to Vietnam for various reasons. A mix of popular history and true scholarship.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, War, Military History, Memoir, Womens

270 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many people forget that American women served in Vietnam. The preponderance were nurses but there were also other MOSes women possessed. But even fewer stop to think about the young women who were part of the Red Cross or other non-governmental organizations that provided aid and comfort to our service personnel. They have been referred to as Biscuit Bitches, Doughnut Dollies, Chopper Chicks, etc. This book contains the Vietnam experiences of some of these women and nurses. When these women came back they did not really have anyone to talk to and there being so few of them they could not really connect with each other. A large number of them suffered and likely continue to suffer from PTSD. Perhaps even more so than male veterans they had (and continue to have) difficulty getting assistance for physical and mental issues resulting from their tours in Vietnam. It is definitely a book for the military and veterans to read.

[Cheryl Licata · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an oral history of women in Vietnam during the war years. There were thousands of military and civilian women in Vietnam during the war. Many, but not all, of the women were nurses. Other women were caring for orphans, decoding, reporting the news, social work etc. An Air Force nurse named Eunice Splawn said one of the most heartfelt statements in the book -- "When you looked in the faces of the injured Vietnamese children you really saw what the war was all about." The only word to describe it is sadness. I believe no child should have to live in a war zone. Our leaders need to negotiate peaceful settlements instead of fighting with guns and bombs. If you read these stories from women who were there, I hope you will agree.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

really good

[Ken Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

We know about the men, but little is known of the heroic feats of the women.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a horrific time in our history. I don’t remember Vietnam in the news… I was too young. After reading this book I’m glad I don’t remember.

[Ralph Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book. I loved every word of it. Well worth reading.

[Lysergius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another take on "China Beach"?

[Isadora Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

An estimated 33,000-55,000 women served or worked in Vietnam during the American-Vietnam War. This is a great oral history from twenty of those women.