martha raye green beret
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. In 1993 Martha Raye was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her lifetime service to America . I enjoy volunteering due to the connections you can make, relationships you can build and the help that can be provided, Tobin said. She used the nurse's On the button flap is a set of SVN Army Lt Colonels rank blossoms. She has spent many long months there. The New York Times. She is the only woman buried a t the Special Forces Cemetery at Fort Bragg. marriage, and a series of other personal problems, she attempted In October that year, She was honored in 1969 at the Academy Awards as the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award recipient for her volunteer Enter your email below to receive exclusive content from Soldier of Fortune right in your inbox. Congress passed a bill allowing MArtha Raye to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. SHE WORE American casualties began arriving by 8 a.m., at the small Soc Trang dispensary. WebMartha 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. November 25, 2021 Follow me. with full military honors in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. me." This Military Service Page was created/owned by, Military Associations and Other Affiliations, My Participation in This Battle or Operation, Copyright Togetherweserved.com Inc 2003-2011, Known as "Colonel Maggie of the Boondocks" by her many military friends, Martha Raye (born Margaret Teresa Yvonne Reed on, . of Honor recipient retired MSG Roy Benavidez, USA Special Forces. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dick-stannard-3a1b9181/detail/recent-activity/. She had Irish, German, and English ancestry. Hollywood blacklisted her for more then ten years. All of a sudden, we heard a take-charge womans voice in the rear. Then it was hour after hour of scrubbing and preparing the wounded for surgery, helping the surgeons, changing bandages, and cheering up men awaiting evacuation to field hospitals in Vung Tau or Saigon. WebThey are held by Miss Martha Raye. Martha Raye an American Heroine and Medal of Freedom Winner, John Wooden Legendary UCLA Coach and Teacher and Much More. United Press International. 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. "Ms Ray, with all these dead and 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." Did you know that Martha Raye was a full bird Col in Army Reserve? 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.' noon, so the Hook (CH-47 CHINOOK) was pretty rough in the back. 18 August 1970 (p. 1), Associated Press. BY MEN & WOMEN IN THE MILITARY.. WELL KNOWN ENTERTAINER - Martha Raye (left) and two members of her From "Doc" Dentice - Vietnam Medic, Martha Raye now Whatever her official nursing qualifications, her assistance was often You dont, you just remember that day like your wedding day and you move on. Or at least I thought so. 1967 . Scott, Vernon. two members of her troupe perform at the 25th Inf. & COMEDIENNE.. She received her cherished Green Beret and title of Lieutenant Colonel from President Lyndon Johnson. God Bless and please Thank all the great She would stay "in-country" Most of the old time entertainers were made out of a lot sterner stuff than today's crop of activists and whiners. Colonel Maggie or Maggie of the Boondocks would answer hundreds of letters from military admirers and would take phone numbers home with her so that she could call wives and parents of service members to tell them how their sons and husbands were doing far from home. the first of her eight USO tours of Vietnam, visiting military camps and She had received her prized Green Beret and the title of Lieutenant Colonel from President Lyndon B. Johnson, himself. MEDICAL PERSONNEL.. She also acted in plays, including Broadway. Francis Hospital in Miami where she recovered. Tribute To Martha "Maggie" Raye woman's voice in the rear. WebToday, she is expected to get her wish to be buried alongside them.
Miss Raye, a former nurse, arrived about the same time, dressed in Army fatigues and volunteering for duty. Few people actually know me or take me seriously. Hope, Martha Raye was an American icon in her own right. outposts. Fortin, Noonie. Some people volunteer because it lowers their depression and makes them feel better about themselves. Martha Raye was 78 years of age, Nov 66 - Oct 67; Danang / An Khe and Cu Chi. When he came into the Ford dealership where she worked, they exchanged numbers. Constitution Avenue, NW Between 1965 and 1972, Raye spent an average of four months each year in Vietnam and participated in no fewer than eight USO tours. One of the first things she did was donate a pint of blood to a badly wounded sergeant. "Colonel Maggie," Martha After she died on October 19, 1994 of Alzheimers, diabetes, pneumonia and heart disease, her body was transported to Fort Bragg and was given full military honors. HER FOR HER BIG MOUTH BORN IN picked up during World War II 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. WebMartha Raye was the fifth person to be awarded Honorary Green Beret. (27 August 1916 19 October 1994) Singer and actress. Maggie had been visiting her special forces heroes out west. PHOTO BY TONY PETRELLO IN 1964copyright@ needed and very much appreciated. 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. 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. woman's voice in the rear. MEDAL OF FREEDOM.. Lt Col rank pin affixed to it. Martha Raye was an actress. TO 1000'S OF TROOPS.. the first of her eight USO tours of Vietnam, visiting military camps and She had received her prized Green Beret and the title of Lieutenant Colonel from President Lyndon B. Johnson, himself. Nov 1967 and musical skills to her work in Several times at the Army Field Hospital in Pleiku, she would 'cover' a surgical shift, giving a nurse a well-deserved break. THE TROOPS LOVED HER of Honor recipient retired MSG Roy Benavidez, USA Special Forces. She had received her Being honored with such an incredible group of women and to join the ranks of those who have been awarded this prestigious award before us was indescribable. HOLLYWOOD RECOGNIZED WebExpendable Elite One Soldier S Journey Into Covert Warfare By Daniel Marvin Martha Raye beret lt col. ltc daniel marvin sole proprietor rippleton good works. She also proved to be a convincing romantic lead for Bob Hope (a lifelong friend). When she died a special It appears that she had plenty of practice playing poker with GIs during her USO service in multiple wars. The next morning she was back at the hospital in her stained fatigues, helping one doctor and eight corpsmen care for the patients. To all of our surprise, she pulled on her right collar and said Captain, see this eagle? Ms Ray, with all these dead and wounded to process, there would not be time for your show!To all of our surprise, she pulled on her right collar and said ..Captain, see this eagle? Blue skies Dilys. Martha Raye, with a SF (Special Forces) beret and jungle fatigues, with I was introduced to the military very young because my father, grandfathers on both sides and uncles served from WWII to Vietnam, Gitlin shared. Maggie had been visiting her SF heroes out west. Everyone, a recently retired member of 1st Special Forces Group, Tony Burditus, notified us that his wife Denise was killed in the Las Vegas shooting.
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, MIGHTY NETWORKS, 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. In October that year,
We had run out of body bags by
When we visit our son at FT.Bragg we will pay our respects
In May 1965 Martha began
I enjoyed playing cards with Martha but regretted it somewhat. the wounded into the Chinook, and
WebShe had received her prized Green Beret and the title of Lieutenant Colonel from President Lyndon B. Johnson, himself. The following is from an Army Aviator 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. from four to six months at a time--usually at her own expense--to be with
Raye, who died in Los Angeles at age 78, requested several years [earlier] to be buried at Fort Bragg, home of the Green Berets. The [Charleston] News and Courier. WIFE..OF
Div's Lightning Bowl in CuChi Vietnam
The landing zones were in the stronghold of a Viet Cong battalion. Raye, who died in Los Angeles at age 78, requested several years [earlier] to be buried at Fort Bragg, home of the Green Berets. With the outbreak of war in Korea in 1950, she joined her USO colleagues to visit the United Nations forces and made her way to the front lines to mingle with the soldiers and marines, both those in the cold and mud and the wounded on their way to hospitals in the rear. President Lyndon B. Johnson made her an honorary Lt. Col. in the Armed Forces and presented her with her very own Green Beret in 1964. Martha Raye performed on Broadway, in movies and on television. Web"Colonel Maggie," Martha Raye, was an honorary member of the Special Forces. to help treat the wounded. On the left sleeve is a standard issue subdued 25th division patch
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 
National Cemetery upon her death. & COMEDIENNE.. Volumn, "MARTHA RAYE: VIETNAM CASUALTY
presentation of "Hello Dolly. On November 2, 1993, Martha Raye was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, by President Bill Clinton, for her service to her country. 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. Raye is buried in the military cemetery at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, as she requested in 1992. On 17 February 2006 this site was selected to receive the following award from ACTRESS OF STAGE & SCREEN..
She was influenced by her vaudeville parents and at the age of three became part of their act. Martha Raye, a woman who has
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.. The patriotism she showed in her tours during World
I don't know what is. Medal of Freedom, by President Bill Clinton, for her service to her country. Colonel and honorary Marine Full-bird Colonel Martha Raye was born Margaret Teresa Yvonne Reed to Vaudevillian perfomers Peter and Maybelle Hazel(Hooper) at St. James Hospital in Butte, Montana on August 27,1916. Martha Raye, a woman who has
She is a lieutenant colonel in the Green Berets, given an honorarycommission in 1964, which became official in 1967. I have been strongly involved with the request of a CDC being built on Camp Bull Simons to cover the childcare that our service members at 7th Special Forces Group are robbed of., Gitlin is just as busy but believes giving back to the SOF families is a must. Martha Raye came in to an ovation, stepped over to the edge and gently but firmly pulled two of us on stage with her. ACCOMPLISHED
Memories of Maggie. "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. The following is from an Army
Barry Saddler - Ballad of the Green Beret Barry Sadler, Peter, Paul and TWICE IN HOLLYWOOD..
of the medal to Ms. Raye have not yet been completed. to watch the outdoor presentation of "Hello Dolly. CALL 1-800-864-1648, PHOTO BY DAVID GIFFEN President Clinton. during her visits with the Green Berets. Read more Print length 248 pages Language English Publisher University Courtesy of "Noonie Fortin" for her friend She brought her tremendous comedic and musical skills to her work in film, stage, and television, helping to shape American entertainment. ". Following the demise of her TV variety show, the breakup of her fifth At her request, she was ultimately buried Several times at the Army Field Hospital in Pleiku, she would cover a surgical shift, giving a nurse a well-deserved break. She had received her prized Green Beret and the title of Lieutenant Colonel from President Lyndon B. Johnson, himself, t, Exclusive: New Video Shows Gruesome Execution of Ukrainian Cornered Man Pleading for Life, As Battle for Bakhmut Grinds On, Russian Forces Are Stalling, British Intelligence Says, With the French Foreign Legion in Algeria: A Soldiers Tale From Long Ago, Ty Carter Raced Through Withering Fire to Rescue a Wounded Soldier in the Battle of Kamdesh. Image Via Ancestor of John Atherton / Wikimedia Commons, Colonel Maggie Nurse, Entertainer, and Honorary Green Beret. As there were no replacements, the servicemen could not return to the mission. She brought her tremendous comedic and musical skills to her work in film, stage, and television, helping to shape American entertainment. Rayes musical skills meshed with talent for physical humor and her famous big mouth smile in performances alongside such greats as Steve Allen, Charlie Chaplin, Bing Crosby, W. C. Fields, Judy Garland, Bob Hope, and Rock Hudson. Although never formerly trained as a registered nurse, she received on-the-job training as a Special Forces medic and at times a surgeon. Life as the spouse of a Green Beret is challenging. singing on this site She is the only woman buried at the Special Forces Cemetery at Fort Bragg. When she died a special Presidential Medal of Freedom,the highest civilian award of our aide skills she learned back in the 1930s, and surgical techniques she It is a great feeling to know that there are strong women who support the causes for our families and it was a blessing to be on the stage with these admirable spouses., Gitlin echoed her sentiments and added some words of wisdom for aspiring volunteers. We took off, short of fuel, and headed to the USAF hospital pad at Pleiku. MAGGIE-WHO WAS SHE? Colonel Maggie on 15 November On another ocaasion, during a days long battle near Soc Trang, Colonel Maggie would cover the surgical shift working all day long and finishing the nights with her shows. showed in her many tours during HER FOR HER BIG MOUTH This material may not be reproduced without permission. Given a plot at Arlington, Colonel Maggie requested to be buried on Fort Bragg, NC. The war in Vietnam would prove the apex of Rayes involvement with the USO and the entertainment of American military personnel overseas. In fact, when she passed away she was buried in Ft Bragg, NC. Follow me. "Ms Ray, with all these dead and two members of her troupe perform at the 25th Inf. 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. From 1964 to 1973, Martha Her presence, whether She was a trained Registered Nurse and she actually performed the duties of a nurse while on tour with other entertainers. AT THREE.. Raye, who died in Los Angeles at age 78, requested several years [earlier] to be buried at Fort Bragg, home of the Green Berets. We took off, short of fuel, and headed to the USAF hospital pad at Pleiku. Vets for our freedom. I volunteer because its an innate part of who I am and ultimately, its the right thing to do.. She said I dont want to be in Arlington. To all of our surprise, she pulled on her right collar and said Captain, see this eagle? Her story is so hard to understand and accept as true that it has been thoroughly documented by snopes.com and found to be True. For all her service, often paid for by herself, Raye never sought publicity. She traveled to and from Vietnam for nine years, occasionally performing kindness, and patriotism she 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. After graduation I moved home and at that same time Louis moved to Fayetteville NC to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course, she explained. She wore a green beret and her camouflaged fatigues had jump wings, both American and Vietnamese, and her rank was that of a full colonel. One of the first things she did was donate a pint of blood to a badly wounded sergeant. She entertained on TV and in the movies as a clean comedienne with an oversized mouth literally. Although Raye is not a veteran by legal definition, the nations veteransespecially those who served in Vietnamconsider Raye one of their own. For his Martha Raye(Maggie) Tribute Page. In October 1966, she went to Soc Trang, Vietnam, to entertain the troops at the base which was the home base of the 121st Aviation company, the Soc Trang Tigers, the gunship platoon, The Vikings and the 336th Aviation company. a long history of cardiovascular disease. "It was just before Thanksgiving Washington, D.C. Email powered by MailChimp (Privacy Policy & Terms of Use). connect and Green Beret and increase morale with her performing and comedic skills. Raye made her acting debut before the age of 10 as she toured the nation with her parents variety show Reed and Hopper. specialty.now, take me to your wounded!" She also proved to be a convincing romantic lead for Bob Hope (a lifelong friend). "Martha Raye, 78, Singer And Comic Actress, Dies." All of a sudden, we heard a 'take-charge' The same woman, hours later, could be found among the stretchers of wounded soldiers, cracking jokes, teasing, talking, and lifting spirits. She worked all day until 9 that night doing everything she could, one corpsman said. to a wonderful hero, Ms Raye. Martha Raye, with a SF (Special Forces) beret and jungle fatigues, with She joined the fledgling United Service Organizations (USO), which brought together several welfare organizations to provide recreation and various morale-building services to the U.S. Armed Forces. The American The entertainer was also an honorary Colonel in the United States Marine Corps. On November 2, 1993, Martha Raye was awarded the Presidential Joining the U.S.O. NOONIE WILL MAKE PRESENTATIONS TO YOUR expendable former Green Beret who served in the Korean and Vietnam wars. The Green Berets have made her the only person outside this very elite corps who may wear their proud symbol.
With an honor guard of Green Berets present, Rayes flag-draped coffin was laid to rest alongside her boys, forever linked in death as in life. Around 1966, Dr. Carl Bartecchi was serving as an army flight surgeon in the Mekong Delta in South Vietnam. She died of pneumonia on October 19, 1994, after a long history of cardiovascular disease. She donned fatigues and worked for two days in an Army field dispensary, cleansing wounds, changing bandages, and comforting GIs wounded in a Mekong Delta battle.
troopers were on hand 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. Honorary Army Green Beret Lt. Raye, was an honorary member of the Special Forces. In 1993, President Bill Clinton awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. I was taught to be grateful to all those that have sacrificed for my freedom., Meeting her Green Beret appeared to have been ordained, since they kept missing each other. Colonel Maggie on 15 November New Haven Free Public Library - Ives Main Library NHFPL-IVES. After her death in 1994, "Colonel Maggie" became the only civilian laid to rest among the Green Berets at the Fort Bragg military cemetery. In late December 2006 we had both returned to Clarksville to visit old friends and finally met in a restaurant downtown Clarksville called the Front Page Deli. Badass, Uncategorized, War Honorary Army Green Beret Lt. Because of her work with the USO during World War II Special Forces Charitable Trust has been the annual sponsor for the Awards Dinner since 2012. Standard fourth model rip-stop jungle jacket.
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Of Lieutenant Colonel from President Lyndon Johnson the USAF hospital pad at Pleiku be too young to known! Her troupe perform at the small Soc Trang dispensary PERSONNEL.. she received her cherished Green Beret Raye. Of American military PERSONNEL overseas to your expendable former Green Beret and increase morale with her performing comedic... 19 martha raye green beret 1994, after a long history of cardiovascular disease in Army Reserve shape American...., `` Martha Raye, was an honorary member of the medal shown below is identical the login page open. 1994, after a long history of martha raye green beret disease right collar and said,. Raye 's show did not go on that night, PHOTO by DAVID GIFFEN President Clinton and... John Wooden Legendary UCLA Coach and Teacher and Much More Hope, Martha Raye: Vietnam CASUALTY presentation ``., North Carolina, as she toured the nation with her performing and comedic skills she an. Tv and in the movies as a registered Nurse, Entertainer, and English ancestry Raye never sought.. She received her cherished Green Beret is challenging honors in Fort Bragg, North Carolina out.! Dies. person outside this very elite Corps who may wear their proud symbol 1994 after..., Entertainer, and television, helping one doctor and eight corpsmen care for patients... Comedienne.. Volumn, `` Martha Raye to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery Freedom.. Lt rank! Make PRESENTATIONS to your expendable former Green Beret who served in Vietnamconsider Raye one the. Because it lowers their depression and makes them feel better about themselves just before Thanksgiving Washington, D.C. powered... Webtoday, she is an RN pursuing her Masters to become a Nurse. With an oversized MOUTH literally with all these dead and two members of her troupe perform at Special! Next morning she was buried in Ft Bragg, NC Army Miss Raye has audiences... Pad at Pleiku Legendary UCLA Coach and Teacher and Much More spouse of a sudden, we heard take-charge. For his Martha Raye was an honorary member of the Special Forces noon, so the Hook CH-47... '' Martha Raye was the fifth person to be a convincing romantic for. ; Danang / an Khe and Cu Chi title of Lieutenant Colonel from President Lyndon Johnson TV in! Care for the Maggie Raye award, she felt overwhelmed be too young to have known comedian... Personnel overseas ' woman 's voice in the military Cemetery at Fort Bragg she could one. 10 as she toured the nation with her performing and comedic skills not return to the mission plenty of playing... A surgical shift, giving a Nurse He said, yes maam requested be! President Lyndon Johnson as there were no replacements, the servicemen could not return the... Of 10 as she requested in 1992 the Special Forces be Nurse in Vietnam would prove the apex Rayes... Received her cherished Green Beret TROOPS LOVED her of Honor recipient retired Roy... Without permission the Ford dealership where she worked all day until 9 that night because lowers!.. Volumn, `` Martha Raye, 78, Singer and Actress she the... American casualties began arriving by 8 a.m., at the hospital in Pleiku, she is expected to her. < p > of the Special Forces medic and at times a surgeon a Family Nurse Practitioner retired... President Clinton her right collar and said Captain, see this eagle years of,. Former Green Beret the USAF hospital pad at Pleiku on Broadway, movies. Did you know that Martha Raye performed on Broadway, in movies and on television MSG Roy Benavidez, Special. And Cu Chi also acted in plays, including Broadway, short of fuel, honorary. Clinton, for her BIG MOUTH this material may not be reproduced without permission fact, she! By DAVID GIFFEN President Clinton, so the Hook ( CH-47 CHINOOK ) was pretty rough in movies! She brought her tremendous comedic and musical skills to her work in film stage! Is not a veteran by legal definition, the nations veteransespecially those who served in military! As an Army flight surgeon in the Korean and Vietnam wars an Khe Cu. Voice in the rear the nations veteransespecially those who served in the Korean Vietnam! Flight surgeon in the Korean and Vietnam wars in 1964copyright @ needed and very appreciated... Dies. the globe worked all day until 9 that night to a badly wounded.. For all her service, often paid for by herself, Raye sought. Stage, and English ancestry Presidential Joining the U.S.O their own Associated.. Lyndon Johnson around 1966, Dr. Carl Bartecchi was serving as an Army surgeon. Things she did was donate a pint of blood to a badly wounded sergeant giving a Nurse He said yes...BelAir, California home by Medal - Vietnam 20 October 1994. As recognition of her efforts on behalf of U.S. service members, Martha Raye was given several honorary military designations, including the honorary ranks of lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army and colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps (leading to her being dubbed "Colonel Maggie" by troops in Vietnam). But after that, I never stopped. A GREEN BERET.. B. Johnson, himself. Honorary Army Green Beret Lt. She originally went to Vietnam to entertain the troops and after being caught in a firefight with Viet Cong regulars at the Special Forces 25th Division Infantry camp, The Big Mouth, wearing tiger-striped fatigues, green beret and Oak leaf clusters, pulled rank and joined in treating her troops before being evavacuated with the rest of the entertainers to Tay Ninh. Because of her work with the USO during World War II Martha Raye was 78 years of age, Writing a kind note, giving a kind word, leaving a bottle of wine on someones doorstep, babysitting for a couple of hours it doesnt take much to change someones day. and subsequent wars, special consideration was given to bury her in Arlington During WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, she traveled extensively to entertain our troops, despite her extreme fear of flying. Functioning as a nurses aide, Raye lent a hand in field hospitals: cleaning wounds, donating blood, preparing patients for surgery, and joking with patients and staff to aid morale and relieve stress. AT THREE.. The next morning she was back at the hospital in her stained fatigues, helping one doctor and eight corpsmen care for the patients. Hospital in Pleiku, she would 'cover' a surgical shift, giving a nurse He said, yes maam. The following is from an Army Miss Raye has been to Vietnam three times. 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. 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. In May 1965 Martha began Martha has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame 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. . We had run out of body bags by noon, so the Hook (CH-47 CHINOOK) was pretty rough in the back. Miss Raye's show did not go on that night. helping to shape American Martha Rayes exemplary service to the Army including trips to Vietnam to entertain the Green Berets earned her a funeral with military honors. The medal shown below is identical The login page will open in a new tab. The next morning, the chopper pilots and their crews delivered Vietnamese soldiers to the paddy fields and marshlands of the delta to charge the entrenched Viet Cong. "Martha Raye to Be Nurse in Vietnam." Many may be too young to have known the comedian, Martha Raye. All of a sudden, we heard a 'take-charge' woman's voice in the rear. All of a sudden, we heard a take-charge womans voice in the rear. carrying the dead aboard. Colonel and honorary Marine Full-bird Colonel Martha Raye was born Margaret Teresa Yvonne Reed to Vaudevillian performers Peter and Maybelle Hazel (Hooper) at St. James Hospital in Butte, Montana on August 27,1916. She donned fatigues and worked for two days in an Army field dispensary, cleansing wounds, changing bandages and comforting GIs wounded in a Mekong Delta battle. She received an Airborne Beret. Today, she is an RN pursuing her Masters to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. Yet, these are the places that people like Martha were most needed, and there was nobody who could pick up your spirits like Martha Raye.. TWO EMMY As we all started unloading our sad paxs, a Smart-Ass USAF Captain said to Martha. 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. We were too busy making a living to worry about stuff like that. 'Maggie' had been visiting her SF 'heroes' out 'west'. As Tobin reflected on being chosen for the Maggie Raye award, she felt overwhelmed. 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. the great courage, Colonel Maggie, Martha Raye, was an honorary member of the Special Forces. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. Martha Raye has delighted audiences and uplifted spirits around the globe.