Kristin Glasgow and Karen Offutt

In the late 1960s, Karen Offutt was a patriotic teenager who got chills whenever she heard the “Star-Spangled Banner.” At 18, she dropped out of nursing school to enlist in the U.S. Army and was deployed to Vietnam.

As a stenographer, Karen was given top secret “eyes only” clearance working for high-ranking generals. Her duties included everything from typing and transcribing to serving tea.

At StoryCorps, Karen spoke with her daughter Kristin about her time at war.

Originally aired November 11, 2017, on NPR’s Weekend Edition.

Middle image: Karen Offutt being sworn into the Army in 1968. Photo courtesy of Karen Offutt.

Bottom image: Karen Offutt being awarded a Certificate of Achievement for her heroic acts in Vietnam in 1970. More than 30 years later, she was awarded a Soldier’s Medal for Valor. Photo courtesy of Karen Offutt.