Congressional Gold Medal Authorized for Vietnam 'Donut Dollies' Recognizing Wartime Morale Service

This legislation, officially named the Donut Dollies Congressional Gold Medal Act, sets out to award the Congressional Gold Medal—the highest civilian honor Congress can bestow—to the American Red Cross volunteers, often nicknamed the “Donut Dollies,” who served during the Vietnam conflict between 1962 and 1973. The bill recognizes the extraordinary service of these women who were part of the Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas (SRAO) program, traveling thousands of miles by jeep, plane, and helicopter to provide morale and recreational support to troops on the front lines.

The Oasis in the Heat of Battle

This act is essentially a long-overdue official thank you for a specific group of volunteers. According to the bill’s findings (Sec. 2), military leaders at the time credited these 627 young women with providing an “oasis in the heat of battle,” running recreation programs that reached an estimated 280,500 servicemen. This isn't just about handing out a medal; it’s about formally acknowledging the sacrifice of these civilian women, five of whom died while serving in-country. For the surviving volunteers and their families, this designation provides the highest level of national recognition for their service, placing them among America’s most honored citizens.

The Gold, the Bronze, and the Smithsonian

Once the medal is struck—a task assigned to the Secretary of the Treasury—it won’t just sit in a vault. Congress directs that the medal be given to the Smithsonian Institution, where it must be made available for display and research (Sec. 3). This means the story of the Donut Dollies will be permanently preserved and accessible to the public, ensuring their contributions are part of the historical record.

Crucially, the bill includes a smart funding mechanism (Sec. 4 and Sec. 6). The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to create and sell bronze duplicates of the gold medal. The price of these duplicates must cover all costs associated with making them—labor, materials, and machinery. All the money generated from selling these collectible bronze medals goes right back into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund, which is used to pay the initial production costs. This means the recognition is essentially funded through sales, avoiding a direct drain on taxpayer dollars. For those interested in military history or collecting official numismatic items, this creates a new, officially sanctioned collectible while ensuring the honor pays for itself.