The Wounded

Another component of the Dustoff story is the wounded soldier. Without them, the Dustoff pilots and crew would have had an entirely different mission. The Dustoff crews gave their all for the wounded men that they served and in return the wounded men and all soldiers admired the Dustoffs for their courage and dedication. Troop morale was raised with the knowledge that the Dustoff crews would come for them no matter what and because of that dedication they knew they had a better chance in Vietnam of surviving a wound than in any other war. The Dustoff units played a vital role in the war and are the inspiration for helicopter ambulances used today in civilian hospitals. Dustoff units continue to serve wherever the US military is deployed.

The gunship pilots knew our techniques, our flying capabilities. We knew what they could do for us and they likewise. They would, all of the pilots and crews protected the Dustoff people in a very jealous way. They wanted to make sure that we remained alive. They would take unusual procedures to protect us and keep us out of harm’s way."
- Ernie Sylvester, Pilot for the 57th Medical Detachment [Oral History #OH0240], Transcript page 31, lines 14-17. (listen part 1; listen part 2; listen part 3; read; more information)

Emergency Medevac, a Huey helicopter Medevac with the Red Cross on it came down Route 9 and that was a dangerous road because the mountains just come right down to it, got almost on the deck of the road, came right down the road, and came in and got him, and on the way back out he died. But the heroism of that Marine Corps helicopter pilot coming in there to get him is just unbelievable, and then to go back out. The ceiling couldn't have been more than 30 or 40 feet and they were for sure taking their lives in their hands going down that road anyway but not just from the terrain but also from the VC and everybody shooting at them.
- James O'Kelley, Marine with the 9th Engineering Battalion [Oral History #OH0012], Transcript page 57, lines 15-22. (listen; read; more information)