Brave Dustoff Crews Saved Many in Vietnam

null Nov. 20, 2023 2:35 pm ETA UH-1 Huey picks up an injured man in Vietnam, 1969. Photo: PhotoQuest/Getty ImagesI agree with Mike Kerrigan that “‘Dustoff’ Crews Deserve Recognition” (op-ed, Nov. 9). The following radio transmissions during a Viet Cong attack on May 18, 1969 in Xuan Loc, Vietnam, say it all: “This is Dustoff responding to your request, over.” Battalion operations officer: “Dustoff be advised that we are under intense mortar and small-arms fire at this time. How long can you stay on station? over.” “About 30 minutes. Do you have seriously wounded? over.” “That’s affirmative, over.” Dustoff: “I think I see a way to get in. Prepare litter patients. Clear the decks. I’m coming in.” We had 14 killed and 40 wounded that night, requiring frequent hazardous visits by Dustoff. I was the officer on that call and was wounded later in the battle. Dustoff got me out and may have saved my leg, according to the doctor who performed the first surgery. Copyright ©2023 Dow Jones & Comp

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Opinion Nov 21, 2023 Add to Reading List

Brave Dustoff Crews Saved Many in Vietnam

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Nov. 20, 2023 2:35 pm ET

A UH-1 Huey picks up an injured man in Vietnam, 1969. Photo: PhotoQuest/Getty Images

I agree with Mike Kerrigan that “‘Dustoff’ Crews Deserve Recognition” (op-ed, Nov. 9). The following radio transmissions during a Viet Cong attack on May 18, 1969 in Xuan Loc, Vietnam, say it all: “This is Dustoff responding to your request, over.” Battalion operations officer: “Dustoff be advised that we are under intense mortar and small-arms fire at this time. How long can you stay on station? over.” “About 30 minutes. Do you have seriously wounded? over.” “That’s affirmative, over.” Dustoff: “I think I see a way to get in. Prepare litter patients. Clear the decks. I’m coming in.”

We had 14 killed and 40 wounded that night, requiring frequent hazardous visits by Dustoff. I was the officer on that call and was wounded later in the battle. Dustoff got me out and may have saved my leg, according to the doctor who performed the first surgery.