Oral History Interview with Nancy Smoyer
Title
Oral History Interview with Nancy Smoyer
Narrator (written)
Nancy Smoyer
Narrator First Name
Nancy
Narrator Last Name
Smoyer
Interviewer
C.C. Lucas
Abstract
Nancy Smoyer ‘67a recounts her experiences as a “Donut Dollie” with the American Red Cross during the Vietnam War. She describes her work providing morale-boosting services to American troops, including running recreation centers and visiting fire bases and landing zones. Smoyer discusses interactions with the GIs and the other Donut Dollies. She also describes the dangers inherent in traveling to the front and recalls mortar attacks during the Tet Offensive. After returning to the U.S., Smoyer faced tragedy when her brother, Billy Smoyer ‘67, a Marine lieutenant, was killed in Vietnam. Smoyer describes the lasting impact of her experiences in Vietnam as well as her continued work to support veterans, including volunteering with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and working as a counselor for veterans. At the end of the interview, Smoyer discusses returning to Vietnam in 1993 with the Veterans Vietnam Restoration Project, her perception of the way Vietnam veterans have been treated in the U.S., and becoming an adopted member of the Dartmouth Class of ‘67.
Date of Interview
August 26, 2019
Subject
Dartmouth Family Member
Volunteer/Aid Work
Language
English
Rauner ID
DOH-622
Rights
Interview Audio Source (MP3)
//rcweb.dartmouth.edu/DDHI/histories/smoyer_nancy/smoyer_nancy.mp3
Interview Transcript Source (PDF)
//rcweb.dartmouth.edu/DDHI/histories/smoyer_nancy/smoyer_nancy_transcript_final.pdf
HTML
//rcweb.dartmouth.edu/DDHI/histories/smoyer_nancy/smoyer_nancy_transcript_final_updated.html