Chris Noel — The Starlet Who Became a Soldier

by Donna Teresa, Staff Writer 

She is known to many as that Hollywood blonde bombshell who co-starred in the 1963 movie "Soldier in the Rain" with Steve McQueen and Jackie Gleason and the 1964 movie "Girl Happy" with the legendary Elvis Presley. But to the many veterans she has faithfully served and entertained through the years, she is simply their devoted friend Chris Noel.

Chris Noel starred in many movies and had numerous television roles since the early 60s. America was at war in Vietnam, and many entertainers chose to stay away from the politics and the growing dissatisfaction of the war, even if it meant staying away from the troops.

However, after a visit with seriously wounded soldiers at a veteran’s hospital, Chris Noel decided that helping the troops meant something more and she wanted to do something about it. It was after the hospital visit that she would chose another path in life, one that would change her forever.

She decided to spend some time being a DJ for the Armed Forces Radio Network and hosted the popular show "A Date with Chris." She continued to entertain the troops in Vietnam, even in the most dangerous circumstances. Serving the armed forces brought her great joy; she also suffered from PTSD and had to endure the tragic loss of her Green Beret husband.

In 1987 she penned her autobiography "Matter of Survival — The War Jane Never Saw, " which chronicles her time in Vietnam and of the people she so proudly served.

Today, Chris’ devotion to veterans continues and she is now the president and co-founder of Vetsville Cease Fire House, http://www.vetsville.org/, a nonprofit charity in Florida that was founded in 1995. Vetsville helps provide homeless veterans with food, shelter and job placement. Vetsville’s mission is to provide safe, quality care as they assist veterans back into society.

Homelessness continues to be an issue for many of our veterans. With the state of our nation’s economy, we can sadly assume that the issue of homelessness will continue to be a struggle for our military men and women.

Thanks to Chris and the wonderful staff at Vetsville, veterans who were once homeless, are now finding hope and a second chance at life again. Chris has taken the plight of homeless veterans to the United States House of Representatives on Veterans Affairs. It is there and countless other times and places she has pleaded on behalf of the American veteran for dignified assistance before a veteran may find him or herself on the streets sick, alone and hungry and with no place to call home.

Her enthusiasm to make life better for our veterans is astounding. Whether she is at a Memorial Day event in Washington, D.C. with Rolling Thunder, raising funds for the Vetsville Ceasefire House in Florida and hosting other veteran events, she shows no signs of stopping and, I for one, hope she doesn’t.

I truly wonder what would happen to all our veterans if we didn’t have all the Chris Noels out there fighting for them.

Our veterans do not ask for much, just a chance to be treated with respect and appreciated for their service. America, reach out in your communities and help our nation’s homeless. You’ll be surprised to find that many have worn our nation’s uniform.

Chris Noel, thank you for your service to our country. No veteran is ever alone as long as you’re around.

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CHRIS NOEL AT ROLLING THUNDER 2008

CHRIS NOEL was the MC of 2008’s ROLLING THUNDER event, held annually in Washington, DC to honor veterans — a tremendously moving experience. Thousands of bikers rode past the capitol, listened to wonderful guest speakers, and we were reminded once again of what an amazing country we live in, and how lucky were, and are, to have the brave men and women in uniform who keep us free!

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CHRIS NOEL TRIVIA

• The recipient of the Distinguished Vietnam Veteran award from the Veterans Network in 1984.
• In late 1999, the sometime singer turned out a collection of songs called "Nashville Impact."
• Once a national champion baton twirler.
• Once dated singer Jack Jones in 1965 at the height of her beach party film fame.
• Considered the U.S. answer to "Hanoi Hanna," Chris was heard on the Armed Forces Radio twice a week on a show called, "A Date with Chris."
• In 1969 she married a Green Beret captain who proposed to her in a helicopter. A paratrooper wounded three times during his 18 months in Vietnam, he committed suicide 11 months after their wedding.
• In 1985, she appeared in the movie Cease Fire (1985) with Don Johnson, which detailed the trauma faced by Vietnam veterans.
• Runs Vetsville Cease Fire House, a shelter for homeless vets in Florida.
• Suffered from flashbacks, migraines and stress disorders following her Vietnam mission.
• Was a cheerleader for the New York Giants as a teen.
• Twice her helicopter was shot down in Vietnam while singing and entertaining troops. She was considered so popular and influential, in fact, that the Viet Cong placed a $10,000 bounty on her head.

Vist the OFFICIAL CHRIS NOEL Web Site

Donna Teresa can be reached at [email protected].  View all of Her Articles posted on VeteransToday.com