Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) would collectively award a Congressional Gold Medal to the U.S. Army Dustoff crews of the Vietnam War in recognition of their extraordinary heroism and life-saving actions.
Dustoff crew members were helicopter air ambulance pilots, crew chiefs, and medics who performed aeromedical evacuation of more than 900,000 American, Vietnamese, and Allied Forces in Southeast Asia from May 1962 to March 1973 during the war, according to the text of the bill.
“During the Vietnam War, millions of Americans left home to fight in muddy trenches and jungles halfway around the world. Many made the ultimate sacrifice. Others returned home just to be ostracized and ridiculed. Some were never recognized for their service at all,” Rep. McMorris Rodgers said. “That’s exactly what happened to the Dustoff crew members who risked their lives to save nearly one million others. They were some of the very best, and their heroism deserves to be recognized.”
Rep. McMorris Rodgers on Feb. 14 signed on as an original cosponsor of the Dustoff Crews of the Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act, H.R. 1015, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and two other original cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA).
“Years after the end of the Vietnam War, too many Vietnam veterans have not been sufficiently recognized for their service and sacrifice,” said Rep. Kilmer. “That remains true for the members of the Dustoff crews, who valiantly rescued so many.”
According to the bill’s text, Dustoff crews were “highly skilled and intrepid,” and could operate the helicopters and land them on almost any terrain in nearly any weather to pick up wounded and provide care while transporting them to ready medical facilities.
“The vital work of the Dustoff crews required consistent combat exposure and often proved to be the difference between life and death for wounded personnel,” the text says, noting that “the revolutionary concept of a dedicated combat life-saving system was cultivated and refined by United States Army Dustoff crews during 11 years of intense conflict in and above the jungles of Southeast Asia.”
Since the American Revolution, Congress has commissioned gold medals as its highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions, but has never awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to any veteran of the Vietnam War, according to information provided by the congresswoman’s staff.
H.R. 1015 has been referred to the U.S. House Financial Services Committee for consideration.