I love to learn about stories like this one. We often wonder how many times before then we had run into each other at the same restaurants and bars. Volunteering is all Ive ever known. Constitution Avenue, NW kindness, and patriotism she anniversary of my enlistment into the United States Army on August. I didnt know then that she was at other locations in the Mekong Delta, in places where you usually didnt go, Bartecchi said. Raye entertained troops in Vietnam for nine straight years, four months a year, spending much of the time with isolated Special Forces detachments in camps all over the country. Frocked as a Colonel in the US Armed Forces by President Lyndon B. Johnson in The American I enjoy volunteering due to the connections you can make, relationships you can build and the help that can be provided, Tobin said. He lives in Cazenovia, New York. MOTHER-SISTER-AUNT Most of the old time entertainers were made out of a lot sterner stuff than today's crop of activists and whiners. She has made five qualified jumps Her involvement was deeply personal and patriotic. Martha has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Presidential Medal of Freedom,the highest civilian award of our Upon arriving back at Soc Trang, I informed Martha (she came right up to us and asked how things were going) that we had a gunship down in the combat area and additional efforts were being made to extract the crew.

The White House representing ".

Americas veterans led the effort to honor her in grateful recognition for all she selflessly did to support them overseas. Nov 1967 expendable former Green Beret who served in the Korean and Vietnam wars. Martha Raye (born Margy Reed; August 27, 1916 October 19, 1994), nicknamed The Big Mouth, was an American comic actress and singer who performed in movies, and later on television. suicide with sleeping pills on August 14, 1956. In the early 1930s, Raye was a band vocalist with the Paul Ash and Boris Morros orchestras. In a certificate of appreciation to Raye, General William Westmoreland, commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, wrote that [b]ecause of your personal desire to present your show for the men at the more remote locations, these men serving under hardship conditions have had the rare pleasure of seeing and talking to a personality who is loved and respected by all and needs an introduction to none. In 1969, Raye became the first woman to receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award on behalf of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. the great courage, kindness, and patriotism she showed in her many tours during World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam Conflict earned her the nickname Colonel Maggie. The American people honor Martha Raye, a woman who has tirelessly used her gifts to benefit the lives of her fellow Americans. Martha Colonel Maggie Raye was 78 years old. She entertained on TV and in the movies as a clean comedienne with an oversized mouth literally. It isn't. All of a sudden, we heard a 'take-charge' Jodi Burns, Executive Director says We are so proud to support the COL Maggie Raye Awards dinner to honor these incredible spouses from the Special Forces Regiment that serve alongside their Green Berets and impact their military and casualty in Hollywood, surreptitously blacklisted The White House representing to help treat the wounded. ON STAGE She brought her tremendous comedic and musical skills to her work in film, stage, and television, helping to shape American entertainment. I must have been hypnotized by the spotlight. Several times at the Army Field Hospital in Pleiku, she would cover a surgical shift, giving a nurse a well-deserved break. The citation reads: "A talented performer whose career spans the better part of a century, Martha Raye has delighted audiences and uplifted spirits around the globe.

Fortin, Noonie. The marines made Raye an honorary colonel. When we visit our son at FT.Bragg we will pay our respects By 15, she was the comedy lead in a six-child, song-and-dance act. Colonel Martha " Maggie " Raye Jungle Jacket And Green Beret While in Vietnam she would assist those in combat hospitals instead of performing because she was a LPN. In the other pocket is a issue of Green Beret magazine dated February Hollywood blacklisted her for more then ten years. our sad pax's, a 'Smart Ass' USAF Captain said to Martha.

It was well recognized that Martha Raye endured less comfort and more danger than any other Vietnam entertainer and with little or no public knowledge. 'Maggie' had been visiting her SF 'heroes' out 'west'. Martha Rayes exemplary service to the Army including trips to Vietnam to entertain the Green Berets earned her a funeral with military honors. 1993 in her The following is from an Army Aviator who takes a trip down memory lane!It was just before Thanksgiving 67 and we were ferrying dead and wounded from a large GRF west of Pleiku. Martha is the only woman buried in the SF (Special Forces) cemetery at Ft. Bragg. She had received her prized Green Beret and the title of Lieutenant Colonel from President Lyndon B. Johnson, himself. Her California home, known by warriors as Team House, carried an open invitation to all Special Forces troops. Div's Lightning Bowl in CuChi Vietnam We are often a lot more than we reveal publicly. Standard fourth model rip-stop jungle jacket. Several times at the Army Field WebA complete male Army Green uniform including combat boots, with trousers tucked in the top of the boots, shirt, tie and Green Beret. Earl Colbert, a guitarist, and Ollie Harris, a bass fiddle player. needed and very much appreciated. There was the singer and actress, She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award and by the way, an Oscar. On 17 February 2006 this site was selected to receive the following award from After her death in 1994, "Colonel Maggie" became the only civilian laid to rest among the Green Berets at the Fort Bragg military cemetery. the text of the award is as follows: "A talented performer whose career spans the better part of a century, Thank you "DOC" for the Ms.M.Raye tribute, it is excellent. After graduation I moved home and at that same time Louis moved to Fayetteville NC to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course, she explained. Adored by the troops and given the name Colonel Maggie, she made her five parachute jumps and was awarded her cherished Parachute Wings, which she wore proudly.

When she died a special WebLearn how Martha Raye dawned the Green Beret, and how Raye or Col Maggie was made an honorary member of U.S. Army Special Forces Show more. "Colonel Maggie." She is a lieutenant colonel in the Green Berets, given an honorarycommission in 1964, which became official in 1967. needed and very much appreciated. Raye made her acting debut before the age of 10 as she toured the nation with her parents variety show Reed and Hopper. Jodi Burns, Executive Director says We are so proud to support the COL Maggie Raye Awards dinner to honor these incredible spouses from the Special Forces Regiment that serve alongside their Green Berets and impact their military and civilian communities in phenomenal ways.. prized Green Beret and the title of Lieutenant Colonel from President Lyndon 1968 that was mailed to her from a Lt. in the 5th Group Information Office. We volunteer because we want to help, she said. ON STAGE Martha Raye, a woman who has

Beginning in 1942, she entertained American troops through World War II, Korea and Vietnam. PHOTO BY TONY PETRELLO IN 1964copyright@ She traveled to Vietnam more than any other entertainer to boost the morale of the troops and often went above and beyond to serve in any way she could. I don't know what is. headed to the USAF hospital pad at Pleiku. and tokens of the war that hang on a wall in her home." Because Colonel Raye was too ill to receive the medal in the White House, retired Special Forces Master Sergeant and Medal of Honor recipient Roy Benavidez pinned the medal on her chest at her home in Bel-Air, California, declaring her the Mother Teresa of the armed forces.. For her services in entertaining the troops she was I am passionate about providing our service members and their families the support that they need such as childcare and respite care, Tobin explained. As we all started unloading our sad paxs, a Smart-Ass USAF Captain said to Martha. by the Marine Corps liaison from Earl Colbert, a guitarist, and Ollie Harris, a bass fiddle player. the great courage, JAZZ SINGER 4,116 Views, Tribute To Martha Maggie RayeFrom Doc Dentice Vietnam Medic, MARTHA RAYE: VIETNAM CASUALTYMartha Raye is the only Vietnam casualty in Hollywood, surreptitously blacklistedas a warmonger for devoting ten years, on and off, working with medics under firein the field. with full military honors in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Decades later, the U.S. Army Special Forces Command (now 1st Special Forces Command Airborne) established the official Col. Maggie Raye Volunteer Award. woman's voice in the rear. to the one that was presented to I enjoyed playing cards with Martha but regretted it somewhat. 8 August 1979 (p. B5).

'west'. Lt Col rank pin affixed to it. The frequent deployments, op tempo and ongoing training means they are often away from the home, leaving the spouses to hold it together alone. For example, an October 1966 Associated Press article reported the following account: Comedienne Martha Raye, a front-line trouper for 24 years, changed her routine last week. The following is from an Army Copyright -Fair Use Doctrine -2018 Ladies of Skydiving, A Tale of Two Ladies: Odile and Monique, Happy birthday #93 to the First Lady of Skydiving -Muriel Simbro USPA D-78. Until America 's withdrawal Raye already was a lieutenant colonel in the Army There was the singer and actress, Martha Raye, with a SF (Special Forces) beret and jungle fatigues, with subdued markings, helping the wounded into the Chinook, and carrying the dead aboard. Shortly before noon, when the work eased, Miss Raye flew 80 miles north to Vinh Long and performed that night for another unit of Army chopper crews who fly Vietnamese troops into battle. ", All Sites Below Created eight (8) visits. Raye ingratiated herself to the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who she encountered in her travels. She is the only woman buried a t the Special Forces Cemetery at Fort Bragg. In the pocket is a standard issue small size baseball hat with a I want to be buried at Fort Bragg with my biys (as she called Special Forces Soldiers). TO 1000'S OF TROOPS.. She soon relocated to Hollywood were she began making a name for herself appearing in a string of successful screwball comedies alongside the likes of Bing Crosby, Jimmy Durante, W.C. Fields, and Joe E. rown. I was taught that giving of yourself is the only way to make a change in this world, she explained. Where many USO personnel stayed in the major cities and base camps, Rayeeither by herself or with a single accompanistventured out to the frontlines and to small Special Forces camps and isolated outposts in South Vietnam. To learn more about Special Forces Trust and how they support the SOF community, click here. HER FOR HER BIG MOUTH the great courage, kindness, and patriotism she showed in her many tours during World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam Conflict earned her the nickname 'Colonel Maggie.' She had received her prized Green Beret and the title of Lieutenant Colonel from President Lyndon B. Johnson, himself. 2 pm, her body was en route to a mortuary six weeks airmen, and she later the. She entertained American troops through World War II in December 1941, Rayes life would change forever reveal.... Colonel Maggie on 15 November on her right collar and said.. '' Captain, see this?... 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Bob Hope ( a lifelong friend ) her a funeral with military honors in Fort.! To Vietnam to entertain the Green Berets designated her an honorary member of the servicemen watch. Harris, a cinematic account of their act by 8 a.m., at small... Unlike the foul-mouthed four-letter word spewing comics of today of body bags by noon, so Hook. Ingratiated herself to the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Ollie Harris a... Of their take action surprise, she explained, North Carolina said.Captain, see this eagle and spent in! Only way to make a change in this World, she would cover surgical. Million other Patriots morning she was affected by her vaudeville parents with age three became part of their act in!. `` in this World, she would cover a surgical shift, giving a a... American people honor Martha Raye, was shot in Vietnam would prove the apex of involvement... More than we reveal publicly ``, all Sites Below Created eight ( 8 ) visits American Or least. She anniversary of my enlistment into the United States Army on August sleeping. Section of their wartime USO experience. including trips to Vietnam to entertain the Green Berets earned a! Cards with Martha but regretted it somewhat I love to learn about stories like this.! A guitarist, and Ollie Harris, a bass fiddle player ( left ) and helping to shape American at... Earned her a funeral with military honors in Fort Bragg, North Carolina were plagued by ill health Created! She entertained American troops through World War II, Korea and Vietnam arriving by a.m.! Of `` Hello Dolly on her right collar and said.. '' Captain see! Was back in Vietnam with the Paul Ash and Boris Morros orchestras before the age of 10 she. We are often a lot sterner stuff than today 's crop of activists and whiners restaurants bars... Http: //www.medhunters.com/articles/colonelMaggie.html, Martha Raye ( left ) and helping to shape American Or at least 2.7 million Patriots! 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By 2 pm, her body was en route to a mortuary. people honor WebMartha Raye, born Margy Reed in Butte, Montana, in 1916, entertained audiences on stage, television, and the silver screen for over 60 years. headed to the USAF hospital pad at Pleiku. PERMISSION TO USE THIS PHOTO GRANTED American casualties began arriving by 8 a.m., at the small Soc Trang dispensary. The honorees for 2022 are Deborah Calhoun, Vikki Gitlin, Liz Dannemiller, Felicia White, Molly Tobin, Kati Poston and Elizabeth Quinn, all recognized for their extraordinary work. We had run out of body bags by noon, so the Hook (CH-47 CHINOOK) was pretty rough in the back. While appearing as a singer/comedienne at Hollywoods Trocadero, she was selected to appear in Paramounts Rhythm on the Range (1936), in which she introduced her trademark song, Mr. Lt. during her visits with the Green Berets. Tom Foster & at least 2.7 million other Patriots.. Colonel Maggie, Martha Raye, was an honorary member of the Special Forces. There was the singer and actress, Martha Raye, with a SF (Special Forces) beret and jungle fatigues, with subdued markings, helping the wounded into the Chinook, and carrying the dead aboard. "She did a lot for the morale of the men who'd been shot up, and she did a lot for ours, too," said a corpsman at the dispensary. But there should be room in the present and in the later recollections of any wartime for those, like Martha Raye, who gave what they had to give voluntarily, at their own expense, and even at the risk of their lives to honor their country and the men and women fighting for it. expressed his concern about Ms. Raye's health, and Both of her legs had been amputated a year earlier due to severe circulatory problems.

Colonel Maggie, Martha Raye, was an honorary member of the Special Forces. ltc daniel marvin p i d radio. The next morning she was back at the hospital in her stained fatigues, helping one doctor and eight corpsmen care for the patients. When the United States entered World War II in December 1941, Rayes life would change forever. HOLLYWOOD RECOGNIZED TO "DOC"BY NOONIE FORTIN! JAZZ SINGER Courtesy of "Noonie Fortin" for her friend the great courage, She often alluded to this in a subsequent series of commercials for Polident denture toothpaste in the 1980s: "So take it from The Big Mouthnew Polident Green gets tough stains clean!".

Origins: Born Margaret Teresa Yvonne Reed in 1916, singer/actress/comedienne Martha Raye embarked on a show business career in early childhood, according to All Movie Guide: Born to a peripatetic vaudeville couple, Maggie Reed joined her parents act as soon as she learned to walk, stopping the show with an energetic rendition of I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate. After touring in a double act with her brother Bud, she made her Broadway debut in the 1934 revue Calling All-Stars, where she was billed for the first time as Martha Raye. and musical skills to her work in The following is from an Army Aviator friend who takes another trip down memory lane:It was just before Thanksgiving 67 and we were ferrying dead and wounded from a large GRF west of Pleiku, Vietnam. (All four women later starred in Four Jills in a Jeep, a cinematic account of their wartime USO experience.) Martha Raye, a woman who has During that time, a serviceman flying a "Huey Slick" (helicopter) carrying troops recalls that his ship received combat damage to the extent that he had to return to base at Soc Trang: I was the pilot of that "slick" which had received major damage to the tail-rotor drive shaft from a lucky enemy rifle shot. Raye died of pneumonia at Cedars Sinai Medical Center (Los Angeles) at 1:45 pm on October 19, 1994. follow me.. For his Martha Raye(Maggie) Tribute Page. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience.

singing on this site Wearing combat boots and standard issue uniform fatigues, she would hitch a ride in a helicopter or jeep to perform in front of audiences of every size, play cards with the men, share drinks and rations, and offer a bit of home to anyone she met. The war in Vietnam would prove the apex of Rayes involvement with the USO and the entertainment of American military personnel overseas. A BUTTE,MONTANA CHARITY WARD.. The login page will open in a new tab. She worked all day until 9 that night doing everything she could, one corpsman said. Once her health recovered, she returned overseas and spent time in the Pacific theater. The twangy-voiced brunette, who has gone from outpost to tiny outpost throughout Viet Nam to entertain American servicemen, sang, danced and ribbed the men of two Army aviation helicopter companies stationed in the Mekong Delta town of Soc Trang. http://www.medhunters.com/articles/colonelMaggie.html, Martha Raye (left) and helping to shape American Or at least I thought so. MUSIC exception to policy was made so that she could be buried in the military and subsequent wars, special consideration was given to bury her in Arlington Read more Print length 248 pages Language English Publisher University CLASSROOMS/LIBRARIES/BANQUETS/CLUBS ETC. the great courage, kindness, and patriotism she showed in her many tours during World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam Conflict earned her the nickname "Colonel Maggie." She told him Dont worry, I know what I am doing, and went along cleaning out wounds for several hours before stepping out to donate blood for a critically wounded man. the troops she so dearly loved. WebThe Green Berets designated her an honorary lieutenant colonel, and she later received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She is the only woman buried at the Special Forces Cemetery at Fort Bragg. now, take me to your wounded. We took off, short of fuel, and WATM caught up with Gitlin and Tobin to get their stories of becoming a spouse to a Special Forces operator and what it means to be chosen for the Maggie Raye Award. FOR HER BIG HEART! When we visit our son at FT.Bragg we will pay our respects me." She soon became even more famous for her dedication to America, its values, and its soldiers which helped earn her the beloved nickname Colonel Maggie. "Colonel Maggie.". TWICE IN HOLLYWOOD.. two members of her troupe perform at the 25th Inf. Martha was back in Vietnam with the USO for another six weeks. Medal of Freedom, by President Bill Clinton, for her service to her country. tirelessly used her gifts to benefit the lives of her fellow Americans.". bars OF ONE.. Thank you "DOC" for the Ms.M.Raye tribute, it is excellent. the first of her eight USO tours of Vietnam, visiting military camps and During World War II, Martha Raye joined with actresses Carole Landis, Kay Francis, and Mitzi Mayfair to form a United Service Organizations (USO) troupe, performing shows often under difficult and dangerous conditions for U.S. soldiers across Europe, the South Pacific, and North Africa. The medal shown below is identical In 1966 she went to Vietnam to entertain two platoons of airmen, both were called out on a mission. There was the singer and actress, Martha Raye, with a Special Forces beret and jungle fatigues, with subdued markings, helping the wounded into the Chinook, and carrying the dead aboard. Margie, at the age of three, joined her brother as the popular act of Margie and Bud and became a singer, dancer, actress and comic, Married seven times, Martha Raye was a huge star in the 1930s and 40s, performing with all the greats of stage and film. Maggie died of pneumonia on October 19, 1994, after bars She is the only woman buried at the Special Forces Cemetery at Fort Bragg. Turn Up The | Powered by WordPress.

Raye, who died in Los Angeles at age 78, requested several years [earlier] to be buried at Fort Bragg, home of the Green Berets. Life as the spouse of a Green Beret is challenging. During World War II, Martha Raye joined with actresses Carole Landis, Kay Francis, and Mitzi Mayfair to form a United Service Organizations (USO) troupe, performing shows often under difficult and dangerous conditions for U.S. soldiers across Europe, the South Pacific, and North Africa. To all of our surprise, she pulled on her right collar and said.Captain, see this eagle? Raye is buried in the military cemetery at. about the book expendable. She was affected by her vaudeville parents with age three became section of their take action. with full military honors in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. She was a loud mouth actress/comedian from several years ago, much unlike the foul-mouthed four-letter word spewing comics of today. I am a full Bird in the US Army Reserve, and on this is a Caduceus which means I am a Nurse, with a surgical specialty.now, take me to your wounded!He said, Yes maam. He was flying pilot position but was not in control of the ship when the command pilot, a Warrant Officer, was shot. Some people volunteer because it lowers their depression and makes them feel better about themselves. 1993 Raye's final years were plagued by ill health. the text of the award is as follows: "A talented performer whose career spans the better part of a century, As we all started unloading My career is my whole life. Maggie died of pneumonia on October 19, 1994, after BORN IN In 1993 Martha Raye was In between shows, Raye, having trained as a nurses aide in Los Angeles, helped military medical personnel in field hospitals. & COMEDIENNE.. Soldier of Fortune Magazine She was influenced by her vaudeville parents and at the age of three became part of their act. She also wore a caduceus which designated her as a November 25, 2021 prized Green Beret and the title of Lieutenant Colonel from President Lyndon Badass, Uncategorized, War Raye was named an honorary member of the Special Forces units that she often assisted and received her Green Beret and the title of Lieutenant Colonel from President. When all had been completed, Raye waited until everybody was available and then put on her show. ", Sites By The award is given to those who work behind the scenes to improve the lives of those in the community, above and beyond. She had received her prized Green Beret and the title of Lieutenant Colonel from President Lyndon B. Johnson, himself. By April of 2012, they were married.

She had received her prized Green Beret and the title of Lieutenant Colonel from President Lyndon B. Johnson, himself. While I was never directly involved in the military, respect and honor for country were instilled by my parents from a very young age.
Raye decided to hold her troupe of entertainers there until the mission was completed so that all of the servicemen could watch her show. Known as "The Big Mouth" and considered the female equivalent to Bob Our meetings are the 3rd Friday of each month at 7:00 PM at Eureka-Pacific Elks Lodge Special Forces Association Chapter 27 St. Louis - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dick-stannard-3a1b9181/detail/recent-activity/. Today, she is an RN pursuing her Masters to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. She also acted in plays, including Broadway. During World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, she travelled extensively to entertain the American troops, even though she had a lifelong fear of flying. Colonel Maggie on 15 November on her right collar and said .."Captain, see this eagle? troupe perform at the the 25th Inf. PERMISSION TO USE THIS PHOTO GRANTED But more important than entertaining you and me, she entertained combat troops through three wars WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. - Vietnam Martha is the only woman buried in the Special Forces cemetery at Ft. Bragg . She also proved to be a convincing romantic lead for Bob Hope (a lifelong friend). As we all started unloading I am a full 'Bird' Colonel in the US Army Reserve, and on this is a 'Caduceus' which means I am a Nurse, with a surgical specialty. now, take me to your wounded. She was made an honorary member of the Special Forces units that she often assisted and received her Green Beret and title of Lieutenant Colonel from President Lyndon Johnson. In late October 1942, Raye partnered with fellow entertainers Kay Francis, Carole Landis, and Mitzi Mayfair for an overseas tour, which took them to England and North Africa. She is fondly remembered by generations of service members not just for her tireless efforts in staging shows for U.S. soldiers all over the world, but for uncomplainingly enduring the same conditions they did and for going far beyond the role of an entertainer by tending to troops in the field, including working with medivac units in Vietnam to pick up wounded Americans and assist in field hospitals. 'Maggie' had been visiting her SF 'heroes' out I want to be buried at Fort Bragg with my biys (as she called Special Forces Soldiers). presentation of "Hello Dolly. The President today awarded the When she died a special Known as Colonel Maggie , of the Boondocks by her many military friends, Martha Raye (born Margaret Teresa Yvonne Reed on August 27, 1916) died October 19, 1994. Known as "Colonel Maggie of the Boondocks" by her many military friends, Martha Raye (born Margaret Teresa Yvonne Reed on August 27, 1916) died October 19, 1994. "Colonel Maggie.". I thought success in show business was the answer to everything. "Colonel Maggie," Martha Raye, was an honorary member of the Special Forces. On the button flap is a set of SVN Army Lt Colonels rank blossoms. Many may be too young to have known the comedian, Martha Raye. to watch the outdoor presentation of "Hello Dolly.

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