WHAT IS DUSTOFF?
I WAS AN
"ARMY DUSTOFF MEDIC!"

With the 45th Medical Company Air Ambulance "Dustoff"—
One of the Vietnam War’s most dangerous jobs.

On Thursday, September 26, 2024, the President signed into law:
S. 2825, the "Dustoff Crews of the Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act."

This law awards a Congressional Gold Medal to the Dustoff crews of the Vietnam War in recognition of their extraordinary heroism and life-saving actions in The Republic of Vietnam.
Dustoff crews flew more than 496,000 life -saving missions in Vietnam, saving the lives of over 900,000 soldiers.

WHAT IS DUSTOFF?
I WAS AN
"ARMY DUSTOFF MEDIC!"

With the 45th Medical Company Air Ambulance "Dustoff"—
One of the Vietnam War’s most dangerous jobs.

On Thursday, September 26, 2024, the President signed into law:
S. 2825, the "Dustoff Crews of the Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act."

This law awards a Congressional Gold Medal to the Dustoff crews of the Vietnam War in recognition of their extraordinary heroism and life-saving actions in The Republic of Vietnam.
Dustoff crews flew more than 496,000 life -saving missions in Vietnam, saving the lives of over 900,000 soldiers.

Thank you to Senators Cornyn and Warren, and Representatives Kilmer and McMorris Rodgers for their leadership.

► Bill Signed: S. 2825 ◄

Wings over Vietnam

Through My Eyes, 1968–1969

DUSTOFF Acronym

The terms "medevac" and "casevac" were used synonymously for Army "Aeromedical evacuation", Medevac, or "Dustoff".

Dustoff in Vietnam was a crew of four dedicated (and most people would likely say, "certifiably insane") men that flew unarmed helicopters to the front line and beyond to rescue wounded soldiers.

Life as we know it could have been a lot different for the casualties of the Vietnam War had it not been for the outstanding bravery and dedication of Dustoff crews.

One of my favorite standbys was with the Australian Army and the 1st Australian Task Force. Nui Dat was the Australian base in the middle of Viet Cong territory in Phuoc Tuy province. The nearby villages of Long Tan and Long Phuoc were both considered Viet Cong strongholds.

Without a doubt, the Dustoff Medic witnessed more of the brutality of war than anyone.

To the wounded, the Dustoff Medic was the most important member of the crew. He was the one who had to face the wounded soldier and provide medical care and comfort.

It took a man with incredible intestinal fortitude to face the type and quantity of wounds and injuries he faced many times every day.

Anything and everything imaginable to mutilate the human body were the types of challenges he faced each and every day.

As I stated above, Dustoff in Vietnam was a crew of four dedicated men.

Each Dustoff Crew consisted of two Pilots, a Flight Medic, and a Crew Chief. The Pilots were responsible for flying our unarmed helicopter, the Medic cared for the wounded, and the Crew Chief maintained the helicopter.

We all depended on each other, and we trusted each other with our lives.

A Mission of Unyielding Courage:
The Dustoff Crew.

The One Mission That Never Left Me

"Si" Simmons summed it all up from a Pilots point of view with what I think is the most beautiful and heartfelt acknowledgment to the selflessness and courage of the Dustoff Medic and Crew Chief ever written. With special permission from "Si" here is that tribute:

DUSTOFF THE CALL SIGN – As told by Si Simmons

As a Dustoff pilot, it has been my greatest honor to serve with this awe-inspiring team and be a part of it.
Si Simmons

"DUSTOFF"
THE CALL SIGN
As told by Si Simmons

More than 496,000 soldiers survived their injuries and owe their lives to the outstanding bravery and dedication of Dustoff crews.

The average time from when the soldier was wounded to surgery was under an hour.
97% Of all soldiers who reached the hospital alive SURVIVED.

I served with the 45^th Medical Company Air Ambulance from October 1968 - October 1969.

Other Dustoff units included the 54^th Medical Detachment, the 57 ^th Medical Detachment, the 159^th Medical Detachment, the 236th Medical Company, the 247^th Medical Detachment, the 498 ^th Medical Company, and the 571^st Medical Detachment.

In the ten-year war, those who actively flew Dustoff missions on a 24/7 basis numbered less than 3,400.
Our casualty rate was 33%.

I'd like to offer up the following poignant poem to the dedicated 33% who gave their all in support of this great nation.

A Soldier Died Today

The infantry grunts saw Dustoff crews as the most selfless men of the war and considered them as Angels and Heroes.

Copyright Notice

Visitors to this page

WHAT IS DUSTOFF?I WAS AN"ARMY DUSTOFF MEDIC!"

With the 45th Medical Company Air Ambulance "Dustoff"— One of the Vietnam War’s most dangerous jobs.

On Thursday, September 26, 2024, the President signed into law:S. 2825, the "Dustoff Crews of the Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act."

This law awards a Congressional Gold Medal to the Dustoff crews of the Vietnam War in recognition of their extraordinary heroism and life-saving actions in The Republic of Vietnam.Dustoff crews flew more than 496,000 life -saving missions in Vietnam, saving the lives of over 900,000 soldiers.

Thank you to Senators Cornyn and Warren, and Representatives Kilmer and McMorris Rodgers for their leadership.

► Bill Signed: S. 2825 ◄

Wings over Vietnam

Through My Eyes, 1968–1969

DUSTOFF Acronym

The terms "medevac" and "casevac" were used synonymously for Army "Aeromedical evacuation", Medevac, or "Dustoff".

Dustoff in Vietnam was a crew of four dedicated (and most people would likely say, "certifiably insane") men that flew unarmed helicopters to the front line and beyond to rescue wounded soldiers.

Life as we know it could have been a lot different for the casualties of the Vietnam War had it not been for the outstanding bravery and dedication of Dustoff crews.

One of my favorite standbys was with the Australian Army and the 1st Australian Task Force. Nui Dat was the Australian base in the middle of Viet Cong territory in Phuoc Tuy province. The nearby villages of Long Tan and Long Phuoc were both considered Viet Cong strongholds.

Without a doubt, the Dustoff Medic witnessed more of the brutality of war than anyone.

To the wounded, the Dustoff Medic was the most important member of the crew. He was the one who had to face the wounded soldier and provide medical care and comfort.

It took a man with incredible intestinal fortitude to face the type and quantity of wounds and injuries he faced many times every day.

Anything and everything imaginable to mutilate the human body were the types of challenges he faced each and every day.

As I stated above, Dustoff in Vietnam was a crew of four dedicated men.

Each Dustoff Crew consisted of two Pilots, a Flight Medic, and a Crew Chief. The Pilots were responsible for flying our unarmed helicopter, the Medic cared for the wounded, and the Crew Chief maintained the helicopter. We all depended on each other, and we trusted each other with our lives.

A Mission of Unyielding Courage:The Dustoff Crew.

The One Mission That Never Left Me

"Si" Simmons summed it all up from a Pilots point of view with what I think is the most beautiful and heartfelt acknowledgment to the selflessness and courage of the Dustoff Medic and Crew Chief ever written. With special permission from "Si" here is that tribute:

DUSTOFF THE CALL SIGN – As told by Si Simmons

As a Dustoff pilot, it has been my greatest honor to serve with this awe-inspiring team and be a part of it.Si Simmons "DUSTOFF"THE CALL SIGNAs told by Si Simmons

More than 496,000 soldiers survived their injuries and owe their lives to the outstanding bravery and dedication of Dustoff crews.

The average time from when the soldier was wounded to surgery was under an hour. 97% Of all soldiers who reached the hospital alive SURVIVED.

I served with the 45th Medical Company Air Ambulance from October 1968 - October 1969.

Other Dustoff units included the 54th Medical Detachment, the 57 th Medical Detachment, the 159th Medical Detachment, the 236th Medical Company, the 247th Medical Detachment, the 498 th Medical Company, and the 571st Medical Detachment.

In the ten-year war, those who actively flew Dustoff missions on a 24/7 basis numbered less than 3,400.Our casualty rate was 33%.

I'd like to offer up the following poignant poem to the dedicated 33% who gave their all in support of this great nation.

A Soldier Died Today

The infantry grunts saw Dustoff crews as the most selfless men of the war and considered them as Angels and Heroes.

Copyright Notice

Visitors to this page

WHAT IS DUSTOFF?
I WAS AN
"ARMY DUSTOFF MEDIC!"

With the 45th Medical Company Air Ambulance "Dustoff"—
One of the Vietnam War’s most dangerous jobs.

On Thursday, September 26, 2024, the President signed into law:
S. 2825, the "Dustoff Crews of the Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act."

This law awards a Congressional Gold Medal to the Dustoff crews of the Vietnam War in recognition of their extraordinary heroism and life-saving actions in The Republic of Vietnam.
Dustoff crews flew more than 496,000 life -saving missions in Vietnam, saving the lives of over 900,000 soldiers.

Each Dustoff Crew consisted of two Pilots, a Flight Medic, and a Crew Chief. The Pilots were responsible for flying our unarmed helicopter, the Medic cared for the wounded, and the Crew Chief maintained the helicopter.

We all depended on each other, and we trusted each other with our lives.

A Mission of Unyielding Courage:
The Dustoff Crew.

As a Dustoff pilot, it has been my greatest honor to serve with this awe-inspiring team and be a part of it.
Si Simmons

"DUSTOFF"
THE CALL SIGN
As told by Si Simmons

The average time from when the soldier was wounded to surgery was under an hour.
97% Of all soldiers who reached the hospital alive SURVIVED.

I served with the 45^th Medical Company Air Ambulance from October 1968 - October 1969.

Other Dustoff units included the 54^th Medical Detachment, the 57 ^th Medical Detachment, the 159^th Medical Detachment, the 236th Medical Company, the 247^th Medical Detachment, the 498 ^th Medical Company, and the 571^st Medical Detachment.

In the ten-year war, those who actively flew Dustoff missions on a 24/7 basis numbered less than 3,400.
Our casualty rate was 33%.