Colonel Maggie Raye

[swpa19]

Ive read the many glowing and interesting accolades to Col. Maggie. All deserved.

I met Col. Maggie at a function in DC some years back, along with Col Maggie, was Noonie Fortin (then doing her Autobiography, but at the time acting mainly as "Ammo Bearer" making trips from Col Maggie to the bar) and a woman Ive not seen much mentioned about on this site. Rolande "Frenchy" Amundson.

Frenchy's accomplishments paled in comparison to Col. Maggie, but she was a friend and supporter of SF.

Im just wondering why so little is mentioned, if at all about Frenchy Amundson?

[Utah Bob]

Originally Posted by swpa19

Ive read the many glowing and interesting accolades to Col. Maggie. All deserved.

I met Col. Maggie at a function in DC some years back, along with Col Maggie, was Noonie Fortin (then doing her Autobiography, but at the time acting mainly as "Ammo Bearer" making trips from Col Maggie to the bar) and a woman Ive not seen much mentioned about on this site. Rolande "Frenchy" Amundson.

Frenchy's accomplishments paled in comparison to Col. Maggie, but she was a friend and supporter of SF.

Im just wondering why so little is mentioned, if at all about Frenchy Amundson?

Frenchy

[swpa19]

Bob:

Nice article about Frenchy. Below is what she looked like in 1995, at an SFA Convention. The woman on the right is the one that puts up with my misgivings. Over the years they had become good friends. A woman like Frenchy comes along once in a lifetime. And, in all likelihood there will never ever be another woman like Col. Maggie. She was truely one of a kind.

[alright4u]

Sadly, I never met her. Our CCS XO looked all over the CCS compound for her favorite booze. He liberated mine for a good cause. What a lady.

She was the SFSNCO's best frined,

Smile.

[Mitch]

After reading all these posts - it is obvious that Maggie didn't let the grass grow under her feet - she had to be on the constant go.

In the summer of 1971, I was in Monterry California attending German Language School at DLI. There were always a lot SF going through DLI and the word got out that the local SFA was going to have a Party up at the main NCO club at Fort ORD, with Maggie as the Guest of Honor.

I took my wife with me to the party - we were having a great time, met some really fine folks there, most I had never met before as we waited for Col Maggie to show up - she and her escorts (members of the SFA) were making there way up from LA - they got there arround 9pm. After a few introductions and a few drinks and toasts, then a few more, she got up and started singing - for those who don't know it - she has one hell of a voice (with that mouth what else would you expect). She told jokes, she told war stories, and basically held court. That party lasted well past midnight.

Before we left - we got her autograph on a napkin from the NCO club - when we told her we had to get home because our 6 month old baby was with the sitter and we had promised to be home by 12 (we were late). She signed the Autograph to our son Chris. She simply wrote, "God Bless you Chris, Martha Raye."

My son is now 38 years old - my wife and I still treasure that little napkin (maybe someday, we'll give it to Chris).

[Sigaba]

Today marks Martha Raye's birthday (27 August 1916).*

One can view footage of her voicing her support for members of the American armed forces serving overseas here.

In 1991, in concurrent resolutions, the House of Representatives (on 19 March 1991) and the Senate (on 18 September 1991) expressed Congress's sense that Ms. Raye should be awarded the Medal of Freedom. The text of the Senate's resolution follows.

Expressing the sense of the Congress that the President should award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Martha Raye.

Whereas Martha Raye, born Margaret Yvonne Theresa Reed of Butte, Montana, and known affectionately by our Vietnam veterans as `Colonel Maggie', has been a source of comfort, inspiration, and joy for 3 generations of American servicemen and women at war;

Whereas during World War II Martha Raye entertained our troops as a USO trouper at many disparate fronts, including Pearl Harbor, North Africa, Europe, the South Pacific, and continued such service even after being stricken with yellow fever;

Whereas during the Korean war Martha Raye was with our troops, entertaining them and administering to our wounded, even though she had her own weekly television show for much of that time;

Whereas during the Vietnam War Martha Raye devoted 3 to 6 months of each year to be with our young men and women in Vietnam, providing them with respite and relief from the terrible stress and isolation of war, and visiting, without entourage, the most remote camps and outposts, often at great personal risk;

Whereas Martha Raye was twice wounded while visiting troops in Vietnam and received 2 Purple Hearts;

Whereas during her many stays with our troops in Vietnam Martha Raye continually found herself under enemy fire, and she showed herself to possess considerable nursing skills by administering to the wounded, whether they were American or Vietnamese, soldier or civilian;

Whereas Martha Raye delivered countless letters from our troops in Vietnam to their families back home and from families to their sons and daughters in the field, including hand-delivering almost 300 letters in 1969;

Whereas Martha Raye offered the hospitality of her own home in California as a temporary home to scores of GI's on their return from Vietnam;

Whereas during the Vietnam War Martha Raye was `adopted' by the elite United States Special Forces and `commissioned' as an honorary lieutenant colonel, the first and possibly only woman ever authorized to wear the prized Green Beret, and the Green Beret she was given is presently on display at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Museum, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina;

Whereas during the Vietnam War Martha Raye was also adopted by the elite United States Marines and `commissioned' as an honorary colonel;

Whereas Martha Raye, despite her show business persona, jealously guards her privacy and scrupulously avoided media coverage while in Vietnam, causing the public to be unaware of the full extent of her commitment to our servicemen and women and her sacrifice of her career and personal life on their behalf; and

Whereas Martha Raye is truly both an unsung hero and a national treasure: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that--

(1) the President should award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Martha Raye in honor of her meritorious service to the United States; and

(2) the Secretary of the Senate shall transmit a copy of this resolution to Martha Raye.**

On 2 November 1993, the White House announced that Maggie Raye would receive the medal.***

Video of Maggie Raye receiving the Medal of Freedom can be viewed here. Please note that the comments posted below the video are unmediated and, at times, uncivil.

____________________________
* Source is here.
** This is the text of the Senate's version of the resolution, available here. The House of Representatives version is available here. The legislative history of the concurrent resolution is available here.
*** Source is here.

I'm a few days late, but nonetheless, I happened to be in LA and wanted to find Martha Rayes' Hollywood Star. I seldom fail.

Happy Birthday Col Maggie! You will never be forgotten.

WD

Originally Posted by Sigaba

Today marks Martha Raye's birthday (27 August 1916).*

One can view footage of her voicing her support for members of the American armed forces serving overseas here.

In 1991, in concurrent resolutions, the House of Representatives (on 19 March 1991) and the Senate (on 18 September 1991) expressed Congress's sense that Ms. Raye should be awarded the Medal of Freedom. The text of the Senate's resolution follows.


On 2 November 1993, the White House announced that Maggie Raye would receive the medal.***

Video of Maggie Raye receiving the Medal of Freedom can be viewed here. Please note that the comments posted below the video are unmediated and, at times, uncivil.

____________________________
* Source is here.
** This is the text of the Senate's version of the resolution, available here. The House of Representatives version is available here. The legislative history of the concurrent resolution is available here.
*** Source is here.

[greenberetTFS]

Read in the Drop that Col. Maggie was at a firebase which started taking fire and she assisted the medics with the wounded since she had nurse's training from assisting the medics in WW2!..........

Big Teddy

[CSM-H]

I guess I'll be one to do a an older view from a "younger soldier". I had gone to the Q course in 1980, after about two years, we weren't 18's then, I re-enlisted to go back to Alaska to be a PSG in one of the Charlie Abn companies. My 1SG was a James "Bugsy" Moran, former 10th group guy. He and others came up with the idea of an "Airborne" reunion for all of Alaska.

He invited COL Donlon as our guest speaker and COL Raye as our guest of honor (1983). As I was young and drunk my First Sgt. said/stated/ordered me to go over and "coin" COL Raye.......sure why not, what did I know?! So I confidently walked over, introduced myself and casually dropped my 7th Grp coin infront of her......

She laughed out loud and said, wait I have that one, from her small clutch purse she pulled out those old rubber clam shell coin/change holders and dumped out about 20 coins, hell there was a bunch, she dug around and pulled up her 7th Grp coin and said I will have "double gin and tonic"...I obliged and my First Sergeant almost pissed himself along with three CSM's and others....

Forward to Nov of 1994 (I believe it was) I was the Company SGM of C 3/3, we were assigned the honor of laying COL Raye to rest at the Fort Bragg cemetary......ODA 394 had the detail, it was a long, sad day...what a small world we live in........She will live on forever in the SF community. CSM-H

1986, Col Maggie Raye visited the company area while we had morning PT, she drank coffee with ISG Horn, we did flutter-kicks, push-ups, and rope climbs.

One very cool woman.

[Ambush Master]

I met Maggie in Nha Trang, at the NCO Club 1970ish. That encounter is what lead to my going to CCC!! VERY long story, but to CCC I went.

I took my wife and my parents to a "Theater in the Round" Dinner thing in Houston (mid '70s) and Maggie was "The Show"!! I sent a picture back stage, that I had taken in my room @ Nha Trang, of Maggie and when the Waitress returned, she was VERY embarrassed. She said that Maggie had told her to say " TELL THAT M-F to get his ass back here NOW"!! My Wife and Parents almost fell out of their seats!!! Needless to say, we went backstage and she put a LIPLOCK on me like I had never had!! After that, I introduced everyone and she was late starting the show. My Mom remebered and talked about that till she died!!

I always ran into her @ the annual SOARs, along with Frenchy. Came to know them both quite well and always loved seeing them in the Hospitality Suite and we have helped each other to our rooms many an evening!! I really miss them both!!

Headed for SOAR one week from TODAY!!!

Take care Brothers!!
Martin

[abc_123]

AM and other QPs,

Thank you for posting you personal experiences with such a fine lady. I'm a younger soldier who never had a chance to meet COL Raye in person, however it brings a tear to my eye reading accounts of a person who loved us unconditionally with no questions asked.

Thank you, and thanks to COL Raye, God rest her soul. \

abc

[x SF med]

Let's all think about Col Maggie this weekend, we lost her 16 years ago on Oct 19th, that happens to be Sunday this year. If you're at Bragg, try to stop by her marker at the main post cemetary on row 28.

[lonewolf726]

Originally Posted by swpa19

Ive read the many glowing and interesting accolades to Col. Maggie. All deserved.

I met Col. Maggie at a function in DC some years back, along with Col Maggie, was Noonie Fortin (then doing her Autobiography, but at the time acting mainly as "Ammo Bearer" making trips from Col Maggie to the bar) and a woman Ive not seen much mentioned about on this site. Rolande "Frenchy" Amundson.

Frenchy's accomplishments paled in comparison to Col. Maggie, but she was a friend and supporter of SF.

Im just wondering why so little is mentioned, if at all about Frenchy Amundson?

The Special Forces Association National Headquarters building is named "The Frenchy Amundson Memorial Building".

[greenberetTFS]

Forgot to mention yesterday that Maggie died 16 years ago on Oct 19 1994,but she has not been forgotten...............

Big Teddy