The Donut Dollies of Vietnam
Over 600 Donut Dollies responded to the somewhat opaque Red Cross’s ads seeking “qualified young women who were willing to serve one year overseas.”
Reflections
The U.S. Army Barrack Shoes, Pattern 1886
By Ephriam D. Dickson III Deputy Chief, Field Museums Branch, U.S. Army Center of Military History Since the Army’s establishment, supply officers have struggled earnestly to find a functional design for Army footwear, one that could withstand the many varying environments into which Soldiers are often sent. “The health and efficiency of the soldier depends …
Feeding a Hungry Army
Not surprisingly, feeding troops has always been a major issue for the U.S. Army. On November 4, 1775, the Second Continental Congress established a standard Army ration, which, on paper, consisted of set amounts of meat or salted fish, bread, peas, milk, spruce beer, and rum. Though this ration was quite generous for the time, …
Reflections: Smoke ’em if you got ’em
Who can forget the welcome call to “Take 10; smoke ‘em if you got ‘em!” Or, how about the threatening tone of “Field strip that cigarette butt, Soldier!” Whatever the reasons—and despite the obvious hazards of smoking—cigarettes have been a staple of Army life since before World War I. A magazine ad for Bull Durham …
Reflections – Wartime Bond Drives
Waging war is a costly enterprise. Congressional Research Service records indicate that World War I cost the United States over $30 billion, while more than $300 billion—the staggering equivalent of roughly $3.9 trillion in today’s dollars—was spent to fight World War II and to supply our allies. Throughout both of these major 20th century wars, …
MPCs—Trong chi tiêu cua ban là gì? (“What’s in your wallet?”)
Vietnam veterans will surely recall those quirky-colored Military Payment Certificates (MPCs) used to buy Seiko watches, Pentax cameras, stereo gear, and beer and tobacco in U.S. facilities throughout South Vietnam. Meant to help control inflation and deter black market operations and currency manipulation, the MPCs took the place of U.S. dollars as the authorized medium …
MPCs—Trong chi tiêu cua ban là gì? (“What’s in your wallet?”) Read More »
The Jeep: An American Icon
World War II Army Chief of Staff General George C. Marshall called it “America’s greatest contribution to modern warfare.” War correspondent Ernie Pyle wrote, “It does everything. It goes everywhere. It’s as faithful as a dog, as strong as a mule, and as agile as a goat.” It wasn’t enough that World War II ally …
