UNITED STATES ARMY DUSTOFF AIRCREWS OF THE VIETNAM

DESIGN BRIEF

CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL

In accordance with Public Law 118-87, the Congressional Gold Medal is awarded to the United States Army Dustoff crews of the Vietnam War, collectively, in recognition of their extraordinary heroism and life-saving actions in Vietnam.

Background:

From time immemorial, great armies always had to contend with the wounded on the battlefields, certainly more rudimentary in early times.  The French under Napoleon developed a masterful system for evacuating the wounded from the battlefield.  The American forces didn’t adopt the French system, and our systems failed miserably as demonstrated early in the Civil War when casualty evacuation often relied upon family members to come and get them off the field of battle to self-evacuation, walking significant distances to find medical treatment.  

Major Letterman, during the Civil War planned a reorganization of the ambulance corps which had performed poorly in earlier campaigns.  Once the wounded were brought in, Letterman sketched out a tiered system of care to evaluate and treat each patient.  Now coming to fruition was the plan to triage the wounded striving to give them the best possible chance to survive and rejoin the fight after recuperation.   His plan was tested during a major battle at Antietam Creek.  It was considered the bloodiest day of the Civil War which saw 17,000 wounded stretched across miles of western Maryland.  Within 24 hours, they had removed all wounded Union and Confederate soldiers from the battlefield.

Letterman continued to refine the trauma care system creating better chances of survival of wounded warriors.  These changes ordered in 1862 are known as the Letterman Plan.  In 1864, the United States Congress implemented Letterman’s changes across the entire United States Army and that basic plan remains as the basis of our military modern network of emergency treatment and hospitals for our wounded warriors.

Moving forward through significant military engagements and with the advent of the airplane and helicopter, new methods of transporting the wounded on the battlefield were being analyzed.  The concept of utilizing rotary wing aircraft for the evacuation of seriously wounded casualties was not a new one. During World War II the Air Force and Navy began to use helicopters on a limited basis for the rescue of pilots and other personnel lost at sea or inaccessible terrain. In 1949, MG Neel chaired a board that tested, evaluated, and recommended the use of the helicopter in medical evacuation roles.

However, helicopters were still a novelty in 1949 when MG Neel began examining the idea of flying wounded soldiers out of war zones.   MG Neal is quoted as saying; "My job is to take care of those boys. And I'm going to do it, and I want to be able to get them to the hospital as quickly as possible, and I want the helicopter to be dedicated for that purpose and to be available for that mission”.

As part of his 1949 study, Neel tested an early Kaman helicopter with forward clam shell doors.

It was in the Korean War that helicopter evacuation became a reality. The helicopter had finally been accepted as an organic vehicle of the Army, and the rugged terrain of Korea made surface transport arduous. In addition, the scarcity of hard-surface roads and harsh climate often made it extremely difficult to transport casualties from forward units.

Helicopter evacuation in Korea was not the result of any preconceived plan; it was the result of expediency. In the early days of the war, a U.S. Air Force helicopter detachment of the Third Air Rescue Squadron began to receive requests from ground elements for the evacuation of casualties from difficult terrain. Since this detachment was not fully occupied with its primary mission of rescuing downed pilots, it responded to these calls. By August 1950, this Air Force unit was answering so many calls that it found itself in the medical evacuation business.

Army helicopter evacuation was officially established on 1 January 1951. Before the armistice ended the war in 1953, army helicopters would fly 18,000 U.N. casualties to hospitals, helping save seven of every 10 patients.

The aeromedical evacuation doctrine espoused by Neel called for medical control of evacuation and the need for pilots and aircraft dedicated to that mission alone.  MG Neel stated that the Korean War experience could not serve as an infallible guide to the use of helicopters in other types of wars and different geographical regions, but it certainly showed that helicopters had made possible at least a modification of the first links in Letterman's chain of evacuation. A superior communications system would allow a well-equipped and well-staffed air ambulance to land at or near the site of the wounded, making much ground evacuation unnecessary. If the patient's condition could be stabilized briefly, it might prove helpful to use the speed of the helicopter to evacuate the patient farther to the rear, to more complete medical facilities than those provided at a rudimentary division clearing station. Triage might be carried out better at a hospital than in the field.

Based on experience during the Korean War, Neel developed medical evacuation policies, procedures, and organizations which are the foundation of current aeromedical operations.

In the early 1960’s, the country of Vietnam became a hot spot which pulled our country into a full-scale war.  Like Korea, Vietnam lacked any major highway or road infrastructure.  Beyond fighting in built up areas and cities accessible by limited road networks, the helicopter would become the transport for movement to and from the battlefield, whether it was troop insertions/extractions, aerial weapons platforms, resupply, recovery or medical evacuation, the helicopter would become our ride to war. The “Howze Board” formulated how the helicopter would be configured and used to fight this unique battle and from that study, came the airmobile concept.

As the buildup began, the first aviation units arrived in country in 1962 equipped with H-21 helicopters (not what we flew in Vietnam in Dustoff).  In April 1962, the 8th Field Hospital and the 57th Medical Detachment (Air Ambulance) were the first medical units to arrive in country.  Both units set up operations in Nha Trang.  Locating here prevented a worsening of the logistics problem in Saigon which was already overflowing with troops and equipment arriving in country, but it placed medical support far from most of the US military units.  Under the command of Captain Temperelli, the ‘plant’ was in the ground, but the “were’ far from taking hold.  Most requests submitted to move his 5 UH-1 helicopters closer to where the combat was, access to fuel in remote locations and rigging the aircraft for a hot climate in lieu the installed equipment appropriate for sub-artic conditions were denied.

 MG Neel said one of the requirements for effective helicopter medical evacuation was a robust communications network, Temperelli had to rely upon the Vietnamese to use their radio frequencies.  Logistics and basic housing were a nightmare—his soldiers ate C-Rations for nearly two months before they found support for food and housing.  Parts for the new UH-1’s were in short supply and the nearest depot for any stockage of parts was in the Philippines.  Due to a massive failure in a major battle, higher command finally realized that Dustoff helicopters were better suited for being closer to the battlefield and ordered the 57th to Saigon.  Noteworthy is CPT Temperelli had requested this relocation previously because he saw the need to be closer to the battlefield.

 In February 1963, the 57th Med Det AA changed commander with Major Spencer taking the reins of command.  Shortly thereafter, his unit received the first of the new UH-1B helicopters. Spencer had five aircraft to cover an area of 62,000 square miles—stretching his logistics and support capability to the maximum limits.  Even though Spencer was able to perform the mission in line with the concept envisioned by MG Neel, the command climate became more favorable in supporting the role of Dustoff on the battlefield.  The roots of Dustoff began to take hold.  Spencer is credited with selecting and retaining the radio call-sign Dustoff, with it becoming the universal call-sign for medical evacuation during the war.  In 1964, Major Charles Kelly became the third commander.  To cite Dorland and Nanny, he was a gruff, stubborn and dedicated soldier who let few obstacles prevent him from finishing a task.  Within six months, he set an example of courage and hard work that Dustoff pilots emulated for the rest of the war. Ernie Sylvester who flew with Kelly said they were known as “Kelly’s Crazies” for their courage and tenacity to accomplish the mission.  That stubbornness and tenacity to complete the mission caused the mission numbers to rise substantially, providing evacuation capability around the clock whenever and wherever it was needed—regardless of the weather or the enemy threat. Although Kelly is most remembered for his physical courage in saving lives in combat, it was his moral courage that saved Dustoff----the greatest lifesaver the battlefield has ever seen.

The roots of Dustoff were now firmly planted and from here the medical plan envisioned by Letterman and the concept and design of helicopter medical evacuation that Neel laid the foundation for all began to fall into place.  The 82d Medical Detachment followed next in October 1964 bringing added capability to extracting the wounded from the battlefield.  By the war’s peak period in 1969, there were 140 aircraft in country, two divisional Medevac/Dustoff units and 14 Dustoff under the Medical command all providing medical evacuation of the wounded from the battlefield.  In 1969, the Dustoff community experienced a 149% aircraft loss rate due to hostile fire and weather-related losses.

General Creighton Abrams highlighted the heroism of Dustoff Crews, “A special word about the Dustoffs…. Courage above and beyond the call of duty was sort of routine to them.  It was a daily thing, part of the way they lived.  That’s the great part, and it meant so much to every last man that served there.  Whether he ever got hurt or not, he knew Dustoff was there.”

Dustoff crews possessed unique skills and traits that made them highly successful in aeromedical evacuation in Vietnam including indomitable courage, extraordinary aviation skills and sound judgment under fire, high level expertise and unequaled dedication to the preservation of human life.  

Bob Brady, Vietnam Dustoff Pilot, recently wrote in a letter to Congressional representatives that we were “The Last Free Flyers” implying that decisions made now no longer rest on the shoulders of the aircraft commander but on a third party who performs risk analysis to determine whether to fly the mission or let the ground commander sustain the wounded soldier until the situation in the landing zones improves or the weather conditions change favorably.  No longer do they launch in below minimum weather conditions, or to the landing zone under fire.  No longer do pilots press their aircraft operating limitations bordering on the fringes of disaster and success to accomplish a mission.  No longer do pilots intentionally incur damage to the aircraft to get into a landing zone lest they incur the wrath of leadership and face loss of their aviation status.  Dustoff crew members of the Vietnam Era were truly THE LAST FREE FLYERS. 

Themes and Concepts: 

In the eleven years of the Vietnam War when Army Aeromedical Evacuation Helicopter aircrews were deployed on the battlefield, these brave men established statistics for numbers of patients evacuated and combat missions flown that will never be surpassed in the annals of history.  Beyond these accomplishments established by these fearless all volunteer air crews; their legacy was providing the “Gift of Life” to the patients they risked their lives to save.  Each person saved by an aeromedical evacuation air crew went on to enjoy their lives beyond the strains of war, and families were formed.  Little thought is given to the ripple effect of those life-saving missions because the gift of all gifts is that they have also breathed life into multiple generations of people worldwide that would not have been here today.

Obverse Elements for Consideration:

1. Title of the Medal:  United States Army Medical Evacuation Helicopter Crews of the Vietnam War.  (Encompasses everyone that flew these missions in the Army)
2. Title of the Medal:  United States Army Dustoff Crews of the Vietnam War (excludes the 1st Cav but is the title of the Public Law)
3. Map outline of Vietnam, showing the DMZ separating North from South with the major rivers depicted.  A Huey (UH-1) with crosses on the nose and cargo doors imposed over the country outline.  This conveys where we operated, the mission (medical evacuation) and the “chariot” that we flew.
4. From the photographs provided of actual medical evacuation missions flown, any similar depiction would be suitable.
5. Artwork produced by Joe Kline (infantry soldier standing with rifle above his head, parallel to the ground, yellow smoke shown marking the landing zone and with the helicopter landing) would be awesome if Joe would allow the rights of use or any similar depiction thereof that would not violate copyright protections.  Picture is shown in the references.
6. 
   

Potential Inscriptions:

• “So That Others May Live”
• “To Save a Life”
• “Strive to Save Lives”
• 1962-1973
• DUSTOFF * MEDEVAC
• 900,000 PATIENTS EVACUATED
• 2024

Reverse Elements for Consideration:

1. A 44th Medical Brigade Patch flanked on the left by a 1st Cavalry Division Patch and flanked on the right of the Medical Brigade patch, the 101st Airborne Division Patch with an inscription of “Pilots, Crew Chiefs and Medics” shown with these patches.  Or “Crewmembers of Vietnam Dustoff/Medevac Units”  (These patches represent the three parent organizations that conducted helicopter medical evacuation missions.  The 15th Med Bn under the 1st Cav and the Eagle Dustoff under the 101st Airborne suffered 30% of the overall casualties incurred by medical evacuation air crews.)
2. It’s important to acknowledge all three organizational commands.
3. From the photographs provided showing a hoist mission as it was the most dangerous aspect of our mission profile would be appropriate.
4. The face of a soldier riding the jungle penetrator up from the jungle to an awaiting helicopter.```
5. Any of the statistics which indicate our accomplishments, patients, missions, etc.

Possible Inscriptions:

• “So That Others May Live”
• “To Save A Life”
• “Strive to Save Lives”
• 1962-1973
• DUSTOFF * MEDEVAC
• 900,000 Patients
• 8000 Hoist Missions Flown
• No Compromise! No Rationalization!  No Hesitation!  Fly the Mission!
• 2024

Meaningful Statistics:

• Approximately 900,000 wounded soldiers and civilians were saved.
• Flew 495,573 combat missions.
• Flew 8,000 hoist missions—seven times more dangerous than any other mission.
• Lost or wounded 33% of our air crews.  
• Lost 46.6% of our aircrews to night/weather or a combination thereof.
• In 1969, with a full complement of 140 aircraft, we lost 149% of our assigned aircraft due to
• hostile fire or weather-related conditions.
• The Operation Area encompassed 67,108 Square Miles
• At the peak of the war, there were 16 air ambulance units in the country-two were divisional units providing only direct support and 14 units under the Medical Command providing area support.
• Of the estimated 1400 pilots, 50 were killed and 380 were wounded.
• Of the estimated 2000 medics and Crew Chiefs, 121 were killed and 545 were wounded.

Sensitivities: 

1. The crews that flew for the 15th Medical BN under the 1st Cavalry Division half felt ostracized during the pursuit of the Congressional Gold Medal. MB Brady (RET) has stated in writing that it was his intent to delete them from this legislation or exclude them from the medal design and he made every effort to do so. The ‘Cav’ chose the callsign of Medevac feeling at the time the callsign better represented the mission and would be better understood by the line soldier.  The various House and Senate bills that existed from the 114th through the 118th Congress only referred to the units and personnel under the header of DUSTOFF totally omitting any reference to the folks who flew the same mission under the 1st Cav command.  The only reference made to cover these airmen covered by the law was the House/Senate Bills language under Congressional Finding in Section 2:  “…aboard helicopter air ambulances which were both non-division [Dustoff] and division assets [MEDEVAC] under the call signs ‘Dustoff’ and ‘Medevac’.  Showing the inclusion of the Cav crews by using the inscription shown under Obverse Elements or by “Command Patches” shown in Reverse Elements is important. To exclude these possible inscriptions is a rejection of the contribution made by these air crews.

2. The joint position of both the Vietnam Dustoff Association and the Dustoff Association is no one person or persons image will be used, and no unit or units will be contained on the Medal.  The design of the Medal should be neutral.

References:

1. From Antietam to D-Day-Medical Evacuation on the Battlefield.  Jake Wynn National Museum of Civil War Medicine posted June 6, 2018
2. The 1962  Howze Board and Army Combat Developments  J.A. Slackfish  Published By Rand 1994
3. The Coming of Age.  The Role of the Helicopter in Vietnam.  American Heritage No 29  Winter 1994 Herbert P. Lepire US Army Transportation School
4. Dustoff  Army Aeromedical Evacuation in Vietnam  Dorland and Nanny  Center of Military History United States Army  1982
5. DUSTOFF  The Memoir of an Army Aviator  Michael J Novosel Presidio Press November 1, 1999
6. Dustoff, A Call Sign Darrel Whitcomb  Borden  Institute  2011
7. Rescue Under Fire, The Story of Dustoff in Vietnam  John L Cook  1998Schiffer Publishing Ltd
8. DUSTOFF:  No Compromise!  No Rationalization! No Hesitation!  Fly the Mission!  S.D. Vermillion  Wild N’ Wooley Publishing 2003  
9. Heroic as Hell-The Dustoff Pilot of the Vietnam War  Nikola Budesnvic  www.warhistoryonline.com
10. “When I Have Your Wounded”  Arrowhead Films  Patrick Fries  (Personal DVD)
11. Letter, Bob Brady 236th Med Det 2024..Thailand
12. Vietnam Dustoff Association, Historical Files for HR1015 and SB2825  Steve Vermillion and Chris Siedor  2022-2024

Referenced Photographs

Joe Kline Painting

Unit Patches

44th Medical Brigade

1st Cavalry Division Air Mobile

101st Airborne Division