Connie Edwards grew up in Birmingham, Alabama during the height of the civil rights movement in the city, and was involved with several marches and protests while still a young girl. She then earned her nursing degree from Tuskegee University and immediately was commissioned as a U.S. Army nurse. Following her initial military training and an assignment stateside, Connie was sent to South Vietnam in August, 1967 and was assigned to the 24th Evacuation Hospital stationed north of Saigon. She spent the next year working with a steady flow of wounded, both American and South Vietnamese.
Interview Links
Feature Excerpt
A Frog in the Shower
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
Growing up in Birmingham, AL during the height of the civil rights movement
Interview Session 02 (Audio)
Army nursing training, and year with the 24th Evac Hospital in S. Vietnam
Interview Session 03 (Audio)
More experiences in Vietnam, and postwar period and Vietnam memorials
Videos
Photos
Caption
The Love family gathered at their grandmother’s home in Greensboro, Alabama in 1959. From left to right are Robert, Shirley, Willie Mae, Brenda, Connie, Fannie, Elex (Father), Elizabeth, Alice (Mother), Alex, and Fred.
Where:
Greensboro, Alabama
When:
1959
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
This Quonset hut was used for post-operative patients for the 24th Evacuation Hospital located on Tan Son Nhut Airbase, Vietnam, in 1967.
Where:
Tan Son Nhut Airbase, Vietnam
When:
1967
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
USO entertainers put on a show for the troops at Tan Son Nhut Airbase, Vietnam in 1967.
Where:
Tan Son Nhut Airbase, Vietnam
When:
1967
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
The nurses decorated Post OP#2 for Christmas, 1967. The 24th Evac Hospital was based at Tan Son Nhut Airbase, South Vietnam.
Where:
Tan Son Nhut Airbase, Vietnam
When:
1967
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Connie only had a couple civilian dresses while serving at Tan Son Nhut Airbase in Vietnam. Most of her time was spent in uniform and hospital garb during her tour.
Where:
Tan Son Nhut Airbase, Vietnam
When:
1968
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
The troops are out in the sun at Tan Son Nhut Airbase during a USO concert headlined by singer James Brown (the Godfather of Soul) in 1968.
Where:
Tan Son Nhut Airbase, Vietnam
When:
1968
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Connie relaxes and takes time for a picture while off duty somewhere on Tan Son Nhut Airbase, South Vietnam, in 1968.
Where:
Tan Son Nhut Airbase, Vietnam
When:
1968
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
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Caption
Writing letters to her family back in Birmingham was one of Connie’s off-duty activities while she was stationed at Tan Son Nhut Airbase in 1968.
Where:
Tan Son Nhut Airbase, Vietnam
When:
1968
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Patient Greg Peters was one of the many soldiers whose spirits was lifted while he was under care of Connie and others at the hospital at Tan Son Nhut Airbase in 1968.
Where:
Tan Son Nhut Airbase, Vietnam
When:
1968
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Connie met Major General Charles Bolden at a Military Ball in Washington D.C. in 1987.
Where:
Washington D.C.
When:
1987
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Connie met Major General Charles Bolden at a Military Ball in Washington D.C. in 1987.
Where:
Washington D.C.
When:
1987
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Connie pictured with Lt. General Frank E. Peterson (first black Marine Corps General) at Military Ball in Washington D.C., 1987.
Where:
Washington D.C.
When:
1987
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Connie with her two daughters, Tonya on the left and Sharon on the right, circa 1988.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1988
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Connie is wearing her class B army uniform during an event.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Unknown