Diane Carlson Evans, Vietnam Veteran (Full Interview)

[@Murph68]

Capt, thank you for your service …. I was Medevac to the 81st Evac Hospital, Chu Lai back , February 1971. If it wasn’t for the nurses and certainly all the staff, I will not be writing this to you today. Thank you on behalf of every grunt who was blessed by the help of our Army Nurses, our Guardian Angels…God bless you. You were our saviors….

[@larrylarry739]

This is a REAL woman. Strong, smart, compassionate, and a leader.

[@kenzpenz]

I think I went through the evac in Pleiku in 1967 and appreciate all the help I received from those wonderful nurses. I went back for a second tour in 1968 and went through an evac hospital for the Americal Div. I especially remember walking into that hospital with my left army almost shot off. I also remember seeing this gorgeous nurse Captain telling me to lie down on a gurney telling me I was going to be fine. I just couldn't believe someone this beautiful and smelling so good, could be serving in such a terrible place. I too was a captain and a company commander and the only one wounded in my company. Thank all you beautiful nurses, and my wife and kids thank you too. I am now 83 years old and feeling the effects of that terrible war. Ken Bartlett Marina CA.

[@michaelgmoore5708]

She's a real sweetheart with such a beautiful smile and everything else about her. Wow.

[@sr.sylviaanne5262]

Diane, there aren't enough words to thank you for all you did for our men sent to Nam. Welcome home.

[@briangoldy8784]

Diane. What a True Patriot an Loving Woman. We Love You. Thank You, for Your Commitment an Mercy . God Bless.

[@rodneygillmeister8003]

I'm so glad someone can say how bad all this was! I'm a 3year army veteran and volunteered to go to Vietnam. When I came home after my 1st tour with orders for state side duty...I was treated so bad on my way home by people, that I tore up my state side orders and went right back to Vietnam for a 2ed tour. THANK GOD FOR ALL YOU ARMY NURSES! I LOVE YOU!

[@fuzznakano]

I’m an aussie. I was born in 1966. Thank you for your service and for this story. I’m really impressed by what you have done in your life and I wish you all the best.

[@ronhaworth5471]

We veterans are forever indebted to your care!

[@steveburke3923]

I returned from Vietnam Feb. 8, 1968. Leaving behind Tan Son Nhut and the Tet Offensive that was still going on. Now today, watching this amazing woman speaking about her experiences in-country, I can't help but feel insignificant. Thank-you Lord for allowing her the safety of her own flight home when it was her time .

[@johnalves3583]

To all the Women who served in Vietnam, Thank you & Welcome home.

[@martinleavitt6094]

👍🇺🇸

[@roberfaubus3455]

Yes thank you 🙏

[@donaldjones7678]

I was a grunt in Vietnam 1971. Thank you for your service. The nurse was one of the hardest job in Nam, and they always saw the horrific part of war.

[@S62bhas]

God Bless You Abundantly

[@vietnam196970]

Thank you for all that you have done, in Vietnam, and back home. I salute you, and appreciate listening to your story. God bless America.

[@almontepaolilli4909]

I am a Vietnam Vet and absolutely agree that women no matter what branch whether enlisted or officer should be recognized for their contributions in Vietnam. Your service as a nurse was critical to the high survival rate experienced by those wounded in battle. You and the other women suffered in more ways than the men. The best to you and your family. Wish you continued success.

[@S62bhas]

Yes I Agree Thank You for Your Service God Bless You Abundantly

[@johndalessandro6433]

I admire all of those women!!! Very brave!!! Very tough!!!! And yet beautiful in thier hearts. I am a veteran but not in 'Nam. I hope someday I may meet one of these women. I will Salute her, Welcome her Home and only with her permission, give her the biggest hug!! They not only inspire women, they inspire me. When thier bases where attacked, they didn't run and hide, they covered the wounded with mattresses, sometimes even thier own bodies!! How they held so many a wounded GI's hand that they couldn't save, and even talked to them and/ or wrote letters to thier families for them until the GI 's passed away, and then go right back to work . Some of them did it multiple times!!!! I was also a firefighter for a number of years and lost some of the people we were trying to extract from vehicles. It sucked, but non of them were conscious. That had to tear them apart ....it woulda me. But the mere fact that they never left them alone to die means so much!!! I am in awe of them!!

[@johndalessandro6433]

I forgot to mention,Diane worked tirelessly and had a true up hill battle trying to get the Vietnam Veterans Nurses Memorial approved and funded. When the Memorial inauguration opened to the public , from what I hear, thousands of Vietnam Gi's showed up in support. i can garuntee you this, those Nurses where safer than the President of the U.S.!!! GOD BLESS ALL VIETNAM VETERANS AND WELCOME HOME!!!

[@racerd3801]

What an Honor it was to sit and watch this interview with this extraordinary women. The bravery of the nurses that served in Vietnam was amazing. My heart goes out to all young women that served w/o regard for their own lives goes above and beyond duty. From another Vietnam veteran , WELCOME HOME and god be with you and your family. Thank You so very much.

[@martinleavitt6094]

👍🇺🇸

[@2Oldcoots]

Thank you Ms. Carlson Evans: Your bravery, patriotism, and spirit leave me in awe of you! Salute!

[@peckerwood1810]

Thank you for being there when we need you the most.

[@hanhnguyen]

Thanks you that was very good to reply to nurses in our heart they all heroes.

[@fasteddie9055]

I was in Vietnam in 1971. I remember some WAC officers packing 45s with a shoulder holsters. Everyone knows what happens to women during wartime if they are captured. Hats off to these brave women .

[@peterlindop4491]

Very brave woman and her colleagues and very professional.

[@Steve-fe3vt]

These are incredible women. The nation owes them more than a thank you.

[@Sandsculptor]

Thank you, Diane and fellow medical teams at 71st Evac Hospital. In October of 1968, my cousin was WIA in the DakTo area (4th Infantry Engineer unit) and he arrived at 71st Evac by a Dust Off Huey. I was working with the 43rd Signal on Tropo Hill, right next door to the 71st Evac Hospital. So I got to visit my cousin two times before he finished his rehab there and was sent back up to the KonTum and DakTo area. He and I are living in the suburbs of Harrisburg PA, and we talk once in a while about how he was cared for by your 71st Evac crew. Oh, I also did my AIT at the Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, VA before I was sent to Pleiku on August 12, 1968. Thank you for your service to our country and especially to your fellow soldiers.

[@S62bhas]

God Bless You All Thank You For Your Service

[@francopasta3704]

Incredible story…the countless lives she must have saved…

[@dalekundtz4603]

Thank you Ms. Evans for what you and the other nurses, medics and doctors did for us when we needed help the most. May God bless you!

[@trs4714]

god bless you....I don't understand why americans always use this, it's no more than: you are a nice person, thanks for the things you did and said .god has nothing to do with it!If a war is lost, like the us always does....they never take care of their veterans, that 's disgusting! first ask your people to serve for the good goal....

[@elainecragel4647]

Diane, all the nurses who cared for so many and yourself, you are the true hero's for your service and sacrifice. Welcome home! God Bless

[@Nam-id7kj]

Bless you, Diane for all you did to comfort & save my brothers. Army 67 & 68.

[@drjohnwills]

You have no idea how beautiful it was to have a female nurse talking to you taking care of you. Although the two times I was sent to the 90th evac my wounds were called bandaid wounds non-life-threatening. The female made a major difference and you fell in love with every one of them. God Bless The Women of Vietnam

[@alkitzman9179]

Thank you Cpt. Carlson you are a true American Hero.

[@rogerwhittle2078]

What a lovely lady.? I'm guessing she's about my age, but she has so much to be proud of and for whom America should be proud. I am not an American (I'm a Brit) and Vietnam was most definitely not our war, but it is impossible not to be in awe of this lady. It goes without saying, an awful lot of your most senior modern politicians ought to be required to watch this interview, because they could learn from it.

[@noahcount7132]

A huge and heartfelt thank you to bright, articulate, brave, devoted Army Nurse Diane Carlson Evans for her service. Also for the story of her service presented on this channel and for her founding and heading the Vietnam Women's Memorial Foundation. Well done.

[@fisherguy719]

Hi diane. I remember you visiting us at tomah va hospital in 81 or 82. Our ptsd unit was grateful for your visits. This brought back pleasant memories. Thank you and welcome home!!!!

[@galenhutcheson7108]

Diane, thank you so much for your gallant service. I too crossed paths at Pleiku 71st Evac in 1972, just before the '72 offensive March 31st, 1972. I was stationed at CCC Kontum, FOB II (staged out of Dak To) in a unit that is now called the "secret war in Vietnam." Then, we were virtually unknown to the regular military. I was in a joint operation with MAC-V-SOG and we conducted operations "over the fence" in Laos. My team, hit by an 82mm mortar, was "dust-offed" to the 71st Evac for treatment. I was the least wounded, so my treatment there was short. I did observe how dedicated the medical staff, and especially the wonderful nurses, were in caring for the wounded men under their care. I didn't know of a single GI who didn't see the nurses in Vietnam as nothing less than Angels from Heaven. We loved every one of you, and every one of you should have been treated with the greatest respect. I know I will never forget the kindness and professionalism of the Nurses of Vietnam. May God bless you all.

[@S62bhas]

God Bless You Abundantly Mr Galen Hutcheson Thank You For Your Service Amen We Will Pray For You Remember for Life

[@jgonzalez101]

Thank you Diane for your selfless dedication and sacrifice in your service to not only our Military personnel, but also the people of Vietnam that were casualties of the War. Thank you for relating your role and experience as a Nurse in Vietnam, this was something that was so much needed to be told. I thank and salute you not only as a valient Nurse, but Soldier and Heroe of the Vietnam War. May God continue to bless and use you.

[@farmerbill6855]

May God bless this strong woman and all who walk in her footsteps. Welcome home soldier and thank you for your service to our country.

[@motorcop505]

What a wonderful woman! Thank God for women like her! I thought I could get through this without crying... until she mentioned having cribs in her unit. 11A 87-03🇺🇸

[@vinnart]

Love this woman, and all like her with much respect. Glad they got a much deserved memorial to honor their service. Sorry for the sadness they had to experience. You can still see it in her eyes.

[@sheilalarkin1291]

I salute you Diane and the other nurses that served. You are an amazing women and should be very proud of your service and sacrifice. As a spouse of 2 combat vets I am quite familiar with the horrors of war. I will always support our Vietnam vets. I am still angry and despise the leaders of that time but I will never let America forget!🇺🇸

[@claytonpeterson468]

Was wounded in Apri 1969, Army 9th Division, Mobile Riverine Force. remember being at the 24th Evac Hospital in Long Binh, was severely wounded, woke up and the Doctor was pulling gauze packing out of my sinuses, the only part of my body I wasn't wounded at was my back, a bullet had gone through my face, so I had had reconstruction surgery, I was in a morphine stupor but the pain of the procedure caused me to yell, I then noticed a young blond nurse, holding my hand with tears streaming down her face, I stopped yelling , and she was there, in place of my mom, sister, wife, etc. To comfort me. The medical staff and the Chopper crews are my heros, my Ebook is on at Amazon, Million Too One And Lived, thank you for your service, thank you for being there.

[@Nam-id7kj]

Welcome home, brother! Army 67 & 68

[@geneshogsheadcheese307]

My wife uncle was a doctor in the burn unit in nam he is the nerdiest guy and the nicest easy going doctor I’ve ever met great guy 🇺🇸❤️‼️

[@drmyeyes5878]

What a beautiful soul.

[@terrychampine3376]

Diane, well done and welcome home. You were in the right place at the right time. May God richly bless you in all you do.

[@rubycollins3492]

Thank you for your service

[@jimmcgettigan1326]

Rest assured that you all were greatly appreciated. Thank You all.

[@emmanuelcruz3723]

Thank you mam for your service ...the contraversal Vietnam war...all that was called and served and even some volunteered including yourself...we we highly respected all of you....

[@wandar7717]

Women should be honored just as men of all race that served.

[@glb1948]

May God Bless you...I am also a VietNam veteran having served 2 tours there...

[@denniswriston6925]

You'll always be one the best this country ever had the privilege to be served by. To ALL Veterans please remember YOU ARE LOVED!!

[@S62bhas]

God Bless You Abundantly Mrs Diane Carlson Evans I Support Your Vietnam Veterans for Women Keeping You In Prayers

[@roxanneschaaf9424]

Incredible woman from a wonderful family, her sacrifices for our country, her love for her patients and her courage. I so salute you. I remember even in our little town of Buffalo how the Vietnam vets were treated, how awful that time was. One of My most memorable time was at the Aquatennial Parade in Minneapolis . We heard this loud noise, like the sound of thunder and felt the pavement moving and thought what was this? It was the thunderess clapping and cheering for the VietNam Vets that were leading the parade, they were finally getting the praise they deserved for serving our country. It was a tear jerking experience for thousands of people that day. I am proud to say I knew you and your wonderful family.

[@sarahloftus3367]

Thank you so much for your service. Thank you so much to every woman and man who fought in Vietnam. You are tough as nails. You are heroes.

[@michaelsandona8845]

Thank You for sharing your story, I have so much respect for you and your role you played in saving lives and doing the hard yards !!!!

[@Bill-yy3ck]

Welcome home Diane. Thank you and all the other staff who took care of me when I came through the 71st March 6 1969. I only stayed a few days before starting my journey home. I don't remember much about those few days because of the painkillers I got. What I will always remember were the nurses. You are correct when you said that we thought of you as our mothers. Mine was a nurse, so you and the other nurses brought a special comfort to me. Due to the high numbers of incoming wounded it seemed like the nurses never had a minute to stop. You were checking on the my IV to make sure it was still flowing and making sure my chest tubes were draining. You made a difference. Thank you. When you went to the wall and found the two names you cried. But how many of us didn't end up on the Wall because of the care you gave? To you and all the other nurses who took care of us when we needed the best care, thank you. Because of you I was able to have a good life. Thank you. The chest wound did try to kill me twenty one years later, but the staff at FairFax hospital took good care of me and even replaced the enlisted military scar with a nice civilian one. Thank you. Bill B Co 3/8 4th Div 68-69

[@alethamobley6688]

Thank You Mam for your service & welcome home! Both of my daughters are nurses ones a PA other an RN they love the patient’s.

[@Jxsurfer90]

Thank You Diane You and All the Angels Who severed!! WELCOME HOME To YOU ALL!! GOD BLESS!!

[@doucetdb]

Your story gave me tears and chills. You women are the real heroes. Thank you for your incredible service!

[@joe-qo3qi]

Respect for all the nurse's medical personnel who treated,saved lives. I for one owe them my life,a debt I will never fully be able to pay. THANK you angels of mercy 🇺🇸🙏91st Evac chu lai WIA 02/71; 27 unit's blood,2ER operations, over 3 wks stay.bless them all

[@lowbridgehit]

She is amazing today. Can’t believe how capable she would have been at 22-23 years old.

[@AnitaRose2212]

What a truly impressive woman.

[@kikupub71]

Thank you all for your contribution to the war in RVN. You are greatly appreciated. Some of the finest people I worked with in the stateside OR were former Vietnam Veterans.

[@marksheehan8026]

Great interview .thanks for sharing what l wasn't aware of ... what an amazing person .

[@outdoorfreedom9778]

I don't have the words and thank you isn't enough but thank you all.

[@billfeist2988]

Meet a few nurses in Nam and a few after. They had one hell of a job.god bless them

[@4351steve]

A true Hero as well as Angel.

[@hazepennington9303]

May God bless all of the women that served in Vietnam, they were Angels for our troops there and thank all of you for your service.🌹

[@donatchinson8438]

God Bless you and all the Nurses at the 27th Surgical/312th Evac.

[@sheilalarkin1291]

Diane, you are a remarkable women. Good bless you🙏🏼 Having been married to 2 Vietnam combat vets I am well aware of your sacrifice and that of soldiers. I will never forgive this country and its government for the disgraceful treatment of all of you😡. Nor will I let America forget the contributions and sacrifices of all of you that served🇺🇸 Much respect.

[@gilwhitmore9682]

Tenacious in the ward, and in life after the ward. Captain Evens has the it factor. Thank you for all you did for so many.

[@almontepaolilli4909]

Thank God that women like this in Vietnam to provide the best medical care in the world. I was at DaNang at the time and it was very busy.

[@ronalddesiderio7625]

Just listening to this women speak I calm down . Just her presence makes you feel better ❤🇺🇸🫡

[@dennisfilipowski4703]

I was in DC April 2013. Far and away the most memorable part of "The Wall" was the women's memorial. I know someone who was saved in a field hospital. Shot up pretty bad. Like she mentioned, they came under attack. I'll never forget him telling of that brave nurse. Without so much as a moments hesitation that nurse laid her body over his, ready to die to save him. I thought it really sad the Ken Burns series barely a blink at the very end mentioning the nurses and all they sacrificed. God bless all of you, and may he heal your souls

[@alfredmunguia1011]

May the LORD JESUS continually give His grace and gift of love for your U.S. Army medical aid to all injured and the dying. My dad served in WW2 as a Medical Aidman in 1943 N.Africa and Italy from 1944/45 as a Recon Combat medic w/81st Recon 1st ArmorDiv received the Purple Heart/never rec'd any PTSD disability. So I salute you on behalf of my dad. Thank You, Capt. for you are a Servant of GOD

[@tkaultopbd1]

Thank you, Captain Evans, for your heroic service in Vietnam. You are an incredible person. I'm writing a litle local book about the young men our town lost in Vietnam, and I have been researching you and the beautiful monument you spearheaded so that more people will learn about the incredible job you women did in the war. God bless you.

[@ronoldcross8189]

...the way we were treated, men and women, upon returning, was painful in and of itself. The women were/are as much veterans as any man.

[@samkersey5479]

Thank you for your kindness and your unselfishness to all your colleagues and also that you all could be recognized coming from a vet and a dad of an Afghanistan vet so grateful and so thankful for you and others a like thank you so much for your service and a long owed welcome home thank you

[@doucetdb]

Thanks!

[@americanveteranscenter]

No, thank you!

[@tippersteffi1]

May God bless this wonderful woman!

[@gv1967]

I went through Vietnam for 2 weeks September 2019 for my holidays. Chose Vietnam as a destination, primarily with my interest in the Vietnam War. While there and talking to locals, it was humbling to see how they do not seem to have any malicious comments/thoughts about Americans with regard to the war. As a Christian, it really made me see first hand how forgiving they are, while some of us find it even hard to do that. I went to a lot of places and saw a lot of things and ended my last few days there visiting the War Museum in Saigon and sightseeing around Cu Chi. Very heartbreaking, humbling and poignant. I wish all veterans, doctors and nurses who served well and God bless you all. From Fiji with love

[@S62bhas]

God Bless You Abundantly

[@danberesford995]

What a concise, dedicated and moving Individual making me proud to be a human. Brought up some incredible points here and lessons that really need to be heard with not just war related media, but what women should idolise and strive to become.

[@peterlafayette5595]

Some women are just bad ass. Respect!. I dont underestimate you. Knowing what my wife is capable of, I have the utmost of respect for service women.

[@felixmadison5736]

God bless you Nurse Carlson. I served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army in 1969 at age 20. I was severely wounded near the Cambodian border on December 14, 1969 by rocket or mortar fire, so I understand how you felt when you mentioned being under attack. I remember during my 8 months in army hospitals, a nurse named Diane. Some people call us Vietnam vets, 'heroes' for fighting in 'Nam, but to me you nurses are the 'true' heroes. We soldiers were trained to take lives, and you nurses were trained to save lives, and you did one heck of a great job. If not for women like Nurse Diane Carlson I wouldn't be here today in 2024 typing this message at age 75. Again, God bless you and your family, and thank you for your service.

[@joshwise9894]

Thanks for your service!

[@shona-leaghfreeman1911]

Thank you so much for your service and sharing with your story with us xx There isn't enough on women in service, even in nursing.

[@ronoldcross8189]

Mam, thank you and welcome home.

[@ballet07]

A true hero.

[@multitieredinvestor5246]

Two Nam tours 65-66, 69-70. Spent one week only in 3d Field hospital FUO. Nurses are heroes! Youngest granddaughter just selected to attend 11 month 2nd degree acceleracted nursing course BSN to RN at University of Houston.

[@S62bhas]

God Bless You Abundantly

[@ezymk69]

Do you mean RN to BSN? RN comes first.

[@merlinsunde2094]

thank you for your service!

[@glennwhite7081]

I was in the 71st Evac in August of 1971 with malaria and only remember the Nurses that took care of me before I was sent home . I 'm absolutely positive that I would not be here today without the care that I received by the caring and dedicated nurses of the 71st Evac !

[@HDXBear]

One Tough outstanding woman. Words fall short to convey and acknowledge the sacrifice and work all these women done . With respect and admiration for all you have done

[@annechurch8071]

This interview is incredibly valuable to me after reading “The Women” by Kristen Hannah. I knew that there were nurses in Vietnam, but until I read this book and watched this interview, I didn’t fully understand the magnitude of what those nurses endured. Thank you for your service Diane.

[@LawrenceBroussard]

I am glad to hear the nurses side of Vietnam. Thanks for sharing your experience and for sure the 27 solider in the dark putting iv.

[@charlesjefferis8812]

Bravo! Thank you for your frank and accurate accounting of the Vietnam war … dispelling the archaic perception that women are weak, will run from danger and lack leadership abilities…. the truth is quite the opposite. Thank you for your strength!

[@S62bhas]

Yes I'm Very Proud of this Wonderful Who Fought Very Seriously & Sincerely God Bless Her Family I Pray Her Children Grand Children Follow the Same Foot Steps To Protect & Help America In Crisis Amen

[@seanberthiaume3279]

I LOVE all nurses/corpsman 4 ever Sean Marine Corps and US Army!

[@gerimcgladrigan2822]

I wish I had been old enough to serve in Vietnam. I have so much respect and awe of soldiers.

Top woman , much respect from a vet across the pond in Britain !

[@turtle19dad]

Still pissed the way you all were treated. Thanks Ma'am. Welcome home. And yes, there should be a statue for the women. Bad ass took many forms. Including that of a woman in the Army Nurse Corps. From a retired 68WM6 (now 68C).

[@67Stu]

Thank you for your service 🙏🏻

[@billfunk3168]

Thank you for your service Diane.

[@iamgabriel5823]

Diane -- Your beautiful smile and radiant eyes tell me that the war no longer owns you. Congratulations.

[@multitieredinvestor183]

Did two Vietnam tours. However, am most proud of children and granddaughters one a special needs teacher, the other - a newly NCLEX passed Registered nurse!

[@S62bhas]

Keep Her & Family In Prayers

[@franklehmann6874]

GOD BLESS YOU DIANE AND THOSE THAT WERE PART OF YOUR GROUP

[@tonycrocisi9242]

Thank you for your service, from 1st field force arty