Bobbie the Weather Girl – Vietnam

“Bobbie the Weather Girl” may have been the most popular celebrity of the Vietnam War, eclipsing even Adrian Cronauer of “Good Morning Vietnam” fame. Her real name is Barbara Keith.

Barbara grew up a military “brat”. Her father served in WWII, Korea & Vietnam and her mother was a Navy Nurse during WWII. She believes that “If you don’t do something for your country, don’t call yourself an American.” As an adventurous 19 year old, she was looking for her opportunity to serve. However, military structure did not appeal to her so she joined US AID serving in Vietnam.

She says that US AID’s mission was to “win hearts and minds”. Life in Saigon was surreal, including dining in a rooftop restaurant while tracer fire lit up the skies. One evening she and her co-workers were at a bar when a military officer commented that Barbara looked like a weather girl. At first she thought it to be an awkward pickup line but then learned that the Armed Forces Vietnam Network was indeed looking to recruit a “Weather Girl.” Barbara auditioned and won the part.

Every evening for two years she brought a sense of normalcy to the troops, sharing the weather in their hometowns or popular R&R destinations. She believes part of the reason for her popularity was that she reminded the troops of their kid sister or their girlfriend back home. She made hundreds of visits to troops in the field, sometimes even dodging rocket attacks.

Barbara had to take a several yearlong “sanity sabbatical” to decompress from what she witnessed in Vietnam. Disgusted with the way returning troops were being treated in the US, she took an overseas job with the State Department, beginning a 30 year career. She continues to support Veteran causes to this day.

TAKEAWAY: “If for one second you can bring a touch of home into a grim situation, you’ve done your job. If you wore White Shoulders perfume and that reminded someone of their girlfriend or of home – to be remembered for that is one of the greatest compliments you can receive.”

Barbara is looking to reconnect with some of those she served with or impacted her time in Vietnam. If you are one of those, please send a message to bbg@americanwarriorradio.com and we will put you in touch.