"Colonel Maggie" 

"Colonel Maggie" was a fully qualified nurse, singer, actress and an honorary member of Special Forces 
with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Martha Raye had been an entertainer during WWII and the Korean War 
but she really outshined herself in Vietnam.  
She was not interested in publicity, big shows and TV events, but in the troops of remote outposts. 
Those soldiers who needed the most and received the least.

"Maggie" toured Vietnam for 8 years, spending weeks and sometime months in country. 
She was not only entertaining troops but also carried out nursing work when ever needed. 
She visited many dangerous places in Vietnam where other entertainers would not even dream of going to. 
Her visits to Special Forces Camps will always be remembered by the men who served on the teams. 
Her time spent with  the A Teams are treasured memories for many and will always stand as strong evidence 
of her love and concern for her boys.

Martha Raye received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Academy Award in 1968 for entertaining troops in Vietnam and in 1993, the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her lifetime of dedication to America.

Martha Raye died at the age of 78 on October 19, 1994 and is buried in the military cemetery 
at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

 

Visit to Ha Thanh by Ltc Martha Raye  on the 13th of November 1969
One of the main retaining beam in the Ha Thanh Team House  was signed by Martha Raye Bless you Dear Hearts Love you to much  Maggie The Meanest Mutta! Nov 13th 1969

I think it would be a nice tribute to post some comments from you, the soldiers she visited, 
please send and I will post them on this page. (more photos also welcome)

For more info on Martha Raye, please visit www.colonelmaggie.com