Future plans are to feature the 82nd and 45th Med DUSTOFF in the DUSTOFF page or as separate subpages.
Following is email relating to these plans.
To: MIKE HILLIARD -- fellow 82 Med DUSTOFF pilot (1969)
Think MAJ KELLY would be proud of the DUSTOFF'ers who followed over the years -- The tradition was seeded by MAJ KELLY and the 57th -- but the crews that followed, facing a much larger and greater armed enemy, are those who made it grow into the phenomenon that it became --
Have always been impressed that, as the war dragged on, the dedication of the DUSTOFF crews never wavered -- year after year, young LT's, WO's, medics, and crew chiefs right out of high school putting their lives on the line, daily --
I remember an unwritten rule that was followed that came naturally, that when a call came in during chow, the forks were dropped without another bite. This "continuing" dedication is an area I'd like to address in the future--
As one hairy situation, I'd like to relate a dilemma you experienced -- "Got dying wounded on board -- just took rounds in fuel cell -- leaking like a sieve -- will fuel get this baby home? -- is this thing gonna blow? -- am I pressing the safety envelope? -- will this pucker ever go away? :=) I suspect that even in any MOH citation, you'll find one or more "broken" rules.
Holler when you can.
Thnkvermch,
ARMOND "SI" SIMMONS
MAJ Don Bissell, CDR, 82nd DUSTOFF, prior to my command in 1969---Novosel in background--(Bissell was killed in auto accident in Montana)
