Joann Puffer Kotcher

Joann Puffer Kotcher served with the Red Cross in Viet Nam for 12 months during the War, after a 14 month tour in Korea. She had three duty stations while in Korea and five in Viet Nam. Her book, Donut Dolly, published by The University of North Texas Press in 2011, is based on a diary she kept while in Viet Nam. It was an 8-year effort of love and duty. The University released Donut Dolly in a Paper Back in October, 2017. Donut Dolly is a University Press Best Seller with 35 awards. The newest one is from The Pentagon. The signed, First Edition is now a Collectible. Born in Harbor Beach, MI, Kotcher graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Mathematics. She later went on to earn an MBA. Kotcher, and other Donut Dollies, who volunteered for combat and combat support duty, often found themselves in fox holes nose to nose with the enemy. Kotcher also served Special Forces teams in the Viet Cong jungle. She was almost killed at least 6 times. She was one of the first women allowed in a war zone. The Daughters of the American Revolution have given Donut Dolly their National Award for Women in American History. Kotcher is one of the few who received the Medal for Civilian Service in Vietnam.