USO and Nurse – Martha Raye
Martha Raye was a Vaudeville born actress, comedian, and movie star that was known for bold comedy. She was named “The Big Mouth”, not only because of her comedy, but for the physical trait.
Politically, Raye was conservative, affirming her political views by informing an interviewer, “I am a Republican because I believe in the constitution, strength in national defense, limited government, individual freedom, and personal responsibility as the concrete foundation for American government. They reinforce the resolve that the United States is the greatest country in the world and we can all be eternally grateful to our founding fathers for the beautiful legacy they left us today.”
Beginning in WWII, Raye started a lifelong commitment to entertaining and assisting the troops overseas. She worked with them during WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Some nights she would do shows, but other nights, she’d skip the show because she’d been assisting the soldiers all day and wanted to continue into the night. A former nurse, she worked with Medivac units and in field hospitals. She often served in remote areas with Special Forces.
Raye wore fatigues and the troops called her “Colonel Maggie”.
Raye was an honorary Colonel in the Marines, and President Lyndon B. Johnson made her an honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Special Forces as well. The Green Berets have a special place in their hearts for her.
In 1993, President Bill Clinton awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The text included reads:
A talented performer whose career spans the better part of a century, Martha Raye has delighted audiences and uplifted spirits around the globe. She brought her tremendous comedic and musical skills to her work in film, stage, and television, helping to shape American entertainment. 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.
Raye was offered a place at Arlington National Cemetery upon her death, which is a high honor, but Raye wanted to be with her beloved Green Berets. A very special exception was made for her and she was buried at Ft. Bragg, home of the Green Berets, with full military honors. She is the only civilian buried on post that receives full recognition of military honors on Veteran’s Day.
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Military Humor – Nurse’s style ___
They even had their own magazine
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Farewell Salutes –
Signe Anderson – Garski, ND; US Army Nursing Corps, Korea
Margaret Ann – Dover, DE; US Army Nursing Corps, Korea
Marcella Buckalew – Dallas, TX; US Navy Nursing Corps, USS Solace
Lynn Conrad – Wichita, KS; US Army, Nurse
Ruth Criswell – St. Louis, MO; US Army, WWII, CBI, Nurse
Marjorie Markert – Columbus, OH; US Navy WAVE, WWII
June Poggi – Sacramento, CA; US Army, WWII, Nurse
Louise Rossi – Sharon Hill, PA; US Army, WWII, Nurse
Grace Shaefer – FL; US Army, WWII, Nurse
Joan Shimerda – Philipsburg, MT; US Army (Ret. 20 yrs.), Vietnam, Nurse
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Posted on November 23, 2015, in First-hand Accounts, Uncategorized, WWII and tagged Army, Green Berets, History, Korea, Military, nostalgia, Nurses, USA, USO, veterans, Vietnam, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 96 Comments.
Until now I only knew of her film work. Rock on, Martha!
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Fantastic person – an all’round great human being! Thanks for reading about her, Mitch!
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She was een great lady bringing fun in war is very specialand not so easy
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Yes she was. Thank you for reading her story.
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Amazing woman. Thanks for sharing!
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I’m glad you found the article interesting – amazing is the word for her!
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I didn’t know that she was buried at Ft. Bragg. That’s a considerable honour.
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She was a considerably amazing woman! I’m glad you stopped in to read her story, Allan, thanks!
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Her great personality always seemed to shine. Nice tribute!
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Thank you. Sometimes we forget that there was a serious side to her too.
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What a nice post! I never knew all that about Martha Raye!
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I am so glad you liked it and that I helped to get her recognized for all she did! I know I’ll be using that Thank You card too, thanks!!
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LOL! Cool! And you’re
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff153/sufialhasan7/nicewe.gif?t=1203235454
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A beautiful assortment!
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A worthy woman and nurse. Wonderful tribute!
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Thank you for coming by to read this. The woman was quite extraordinary.
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What a great story and a wonderful woman.
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She really was a piece of work!! Thanks for coming by, Hilary!
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Thanks, I’ll watch it shortly – I love those shows!!
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Reblogged this on The mind is an unexplored country. and commented:
Hard to imagine anyone in Hollywood being so forthright about their conservative views today.
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Thank you for showing Ms. Raye the recognition she deserves for her devotion and dedication to our troops and country during 3 long wars!!
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My introduction to Martha Raye was a silly kids show called The Bugaloos. Later on I found out what a talent she truly was – I love Hellzapoppin!
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hello gp cox its dennis the vizsla dog hay my dada sez he had no ideea martha raye had dun all theez things!!! he mostly just noo her frum sum nineteen seventeez teevee show kalld the bugaloos!!! persunaly i am not shoor he shud go arownd admitting he watchd a show kalld the bugaloos but wotever dada!!! ennyway martha raye shoor sownds like an eksepshunal persun!!! ok bye
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Thanks for reading, Dennis. Yeah, you’re right, Martha was an exceptional person!!
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That’s very interesting, that you! 🙂
and Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂
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Sorry it took so long to get back to you (you were hiding in the Spam folder). Hope I’m not too late to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving weekend!!
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no problem, and thank you for saving! 🙂
Have a nice day! 🙂
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Thank you for understanding.
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Reblogged this on quirkywritingcorner.
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Thank you very much. I feel Maggie deserves the recognition for her efforts in 3 wars!
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I never knew this about Ms. Raye. She was not just a funny lady, she was a great American. Great post!
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Thank you, John. I’m very happy you found this interesting.
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Reblogged this on KCJones.
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Thank you, Penny. I had a feeling you might like this article.
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Gosh. I just wrote a story from my nursing career. Strange how we write some things that kind of go together well. sort of…hope all is well…
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Great minds think alike! 🙂
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What a special lady with a special connection to the Green Berets. Thanks for sharing the story.
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My pleasure, Bev. I knew many of the younger generation wouldn’t know her, so I couldn’t allow her to be forgotten.
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Great blog. Thank you so very much for the “like” of my recent guest-post on Sutton Hoo at First Night History. Keep up the excellent work!
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Thank you very much.
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A remarkable lady,worthy of her many awards.
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A true symbol of her generation! Thank you for stopping by.
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Great story, GP— and a great woman. I never knew about all of her contributions. —Curt
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Not everyone does, that was definitely a generation that didn’t look for accolades – they just did the job! Thanks for your ever-present loyalty here, Curt!
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As always, my pleasure, GP. –Curt
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Thank you, Curt.
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I loved the one of her with Red Skelton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz819_OD5qs
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Could those two do anything that WASN’T funny!?! Thanks for the link, I could use a chuckle these days!
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Such an interesting post and nice to see the recognition of the nurses!
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I do tend to neglect the female contribution, no excuse on my part. I’ll try to do better in the future. Thanks for visiting.
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We all do that!
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What a great tribute and I also didn’t realize much she did!. Thanks!
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It was my pleasure, the woman was a terrific human being!!
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She sure was!
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Yay for Martha Raye! Thanks for this great post, GP
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So glad you liked it, C.E. I could have filled a number of posts on Ms. Raye with all the info I came up with – the troops really loved her!!!
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A salute to Martha Raye and HOOAH dear lady!!
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I’m sure she’d appreciate that!!
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The Military Honors was well-deserved and well-earned!
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Yes, they were!! I completely agree, she earned them!
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I loved Martha Raye – her and Bob Hope were the best for the troops back then. Great post.
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We could sure use them both today! Thanks for reading, Diann.
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What a character. Thanks, GP.
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Wasn’t she a HOOT!!
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GP – the link is coming up “page not found”. Interesting woman! Glad she was finally be able to be laid to rest among her beloved Green Berets.
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Thank you for telling me, Lavinia. I’ve removed it. I appreciate you taking the time!
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Beautiful tribute.
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Thanks, Cate.
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I loved Martha Raye. When I was a little kid and saw that one of her movies was on, I would do anything to watch it!
Marcey
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Glad I brought up some good memories!! She was quite a woman!
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Many thanks for this wonderful tale. In a different era, it would have been a major film. But who would have played the lead role?
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The only voice I can think of is Ethel Merman, but that was basically the same era. Today’s celebrities – I don’t think there’s one to compare. Thanks for reading, John!
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This reminded me of Bob Hope who I saw when I was a kid doing shows for the soldiers. I’m not sure if it was in Vietnam or in Korea, though.
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They both worked for the USO, so you just may have seen her. As a child though, her “big mouth” might have frightened you – she could really belt it out!
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Hahaha! Bigger than Barbara Streisand? 🙂
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Martha was the original! 🙂
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She was a real ‘trouper’ in every sense! Good tribute, GP.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thank you, Pete. She went into 3 wars – that’s determination and dedication!
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Thanks for this information. I had no idea.
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My pleasure, Dan. Thanks for coming.
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I loved Martha Raye, but had no idea about any of this. Thanks for sharing. She was an amazing lady!
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Yes, she was!! I wonder how many of the younger generation remember her?
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I remember her from TV shows in the 70s, and that movie HR Pufnstuf. She was a larger-than-life character.
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The more I learn about Ms Raye, the more I believe her entire life was larger-than-life!! Thanks for commenting!!
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Thank you.
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Thank you, Patrick, for helping to keep her memory and selfless acts alive in our minds! Tis the perfect season!!
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Thank you for honoring Miss Raye!
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She was one-of-a-kind, Ian. A real super-star!!
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