And So My Tour Begins

Colonel Maggie

Bob Hope ...Who?

Comments From Those Who Met Her

                I was  with C Co, 1st Bn, 7th Marines in Vietnam in 1969 and I will
                never forget hitching a ride one day in Quang Nam province
                near the Laotian border. When I climbed into the back of the
                six by the only other person with me sitting in the dark (the
                canvas top was on)was Martha Raye and we were not in a secure
                area at all. She was the only non military American I ever met
                out where I was as a grunt. I was shocked, because I thought
                it took guts to be out there for anyone, let alone a female
                entertainer. I never forgot it, she just made smalltalk with
                me, but I felt great when I jumped off that truck. In my
                opinion, no one in Hollywood compares to Martha Raye, she had
                courage. What a person she was!

I met Col. Maggie once at Ha Thanh. I don't know if you are familiar with
the area but Ha Thanh was one of those I-Corps camps that the NVA had a hard
on for; at that time conditions could vary from hot to full blown siege.  My
boss, Stan Allison the Group Surgeon, happened to be visiting the C-team at
Da Nang and he decided to join me at Ha Than.  He was always trying to
escape from the SFOB and it's associated crap.   Much to Stan's delight, the
area around Ha Than was still pretty hot and REMF's tended to avoid the
place.  Anyway, fairly late one night we were sitting around playing cards
and we heard a chopper coming.  Pretty soon the team-house door opened and
in stepped Col. Maggie along with a couple of NCO's.  She  had a big smile
on her face as she put down two bottles of Johnny Walker Black Label and
declared that the drinks were on her.  We opened the whisky, poured drinks
all around  and Col. Maggie sat down and swapped lies with us for about an
hour.  She had great smile and a quick wit; she gave Stan, who resembled
Buddha, a real kidding.  One thing I'll never forget, she told us that she
had a team-house at home with a well stocked bar.  Then she said we were
"her boys" and always welcome anytime.  Her visit was a real treat,
completely unexpected and thoroughly enjoyed.  She sure touched my heart
that night.  I was really impressed that she was out in the boonies; hell,
the Marines wouldn't even go into some of the areas she visited.  I've
thought about her from time to time and I still regret that I never got to
visit her team-house.

In 1967 I was medical officer at B - 23 (Ban Me Thout ). On 5 Dec. 1967
late in the pm we recieved word that Col. Maggie was on her way in.
After chow , in our small club , with no more then 30 SF types present,
she sat on a stool at the bar and sang one song after another. She called us
up to sing with her and when she sang songs that reminded us
of home there were a few wet eyes in the group.
After the show we went into the mess hall and Col. Maggie playes poker
with us until late into the night. When she finally retired for the night she
reminded me that she was a nurse and to call if I needed help
that night. In the morning she was gone . No fanfare , no large
prearranged crowds - just her Boys.

In 1970 & 1971 when I was in Nam  Maggie was a light bird Col.In the reserves and nurse was her mos, but most of all she was an entertainer.

On New Years Eve 1970 she was at SFOB in Nha Trang NCO Club in a  Red Evening Dress and red High heels after about a half hour she left and returned with her combat boots on, she said she felt more comfortable this way.

I had the privilege to dance with her and as we were dancing I could feel 38 sub- nose under her dress, I asked her what that was for and she said you never know when you may need to use one.

She helped me patch up some folks at Katum in the middle of the night
one night that I remember very well. I never had to ask her to help. She
got out of bed, ran thru the mortars to my dispensary. I looked up and
there she was handing me what I needed at that moment. She just jumped
right in and went to work. I have heard that she was an RN but cannot
confirm. But... judging by what I saw, I'm willing to grant her a
degree.

I don't know about being wounded but, it is plausible.  When Bu Prang was
under seige, in '68 or '69, Maggie was at the camp.  She refused the
evacuation order, the "C" team was sending a chopper for her, and stayed at
the camp assisting the medics. When the "C" team sent the order again, she
reminded the LTC that she outranked him!  She stayed at the camp!

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