[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 144 (Tuesday, September 17, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5248-H5250]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DUSTOFF CREWS OF THE VIETNAM WAR CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT
Mrs. KIM of California. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and pass the bill (S. 2825) to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the
United States Army Dustoff crews of the Vietnam War, collectively, in
recognition of their extraordinary heroism and life-saving actions in
Vietnam.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
S. 2825
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Dustoff Crews of the Vietnam
War Congressional Gold Medal Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that--
(1) a United States Army Dustoff crewman, including a
pilot, crew chief, and medic, is a helicopter crew member who
served honorably during the Vietnam War aboard helicopter air
ambulances, which were both nondivision and division assets
under the radio call signs ``Dustoff'' and ``Medevac'';
(2) Dustoff crews performed aeromedical evacuation for
United States, Vietnamese, and allied forces in Southeast
Asia from May 1962 through March 1973;
(3) nearing the end of World War II, the United States Army
began using helicopters for medical evacuation and years
later, during the Korean War, these helicopter air ambulances
were responsible for transporting 17,700 United States
casualties;
(4) during the Vietnam War, with the use of helicopter air
ambulances, United States Army Dustoff crews pioneered the
concept of dedicated and rapid medical evacuation and
transported almost 900,000 United States, South Vietnamese,
and other allied sick and wounded, as well as wounded enemy
forces;
(5) helicopters proved to be a revolutionary tool to assist
those injured on the battlefield;
(6) highly skilled and intrepid, Dustoff crews were able to
operate the helicopters and land them on almost any terrain
in nearly any weather to pick up wounded, after which the
Dustoff crews could provide care to these patients while
transporting them to ready medical facilities;
(7) 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;
(8) 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;
(9) innovative and resourceful Dustoff crews in Vietnam
were responsible for taking the new concept of helicopter
medical evacuation, born just a few years earlier, and
revolutionizing it to meet and surpass the previously
unattainable goal of delivering a battlefield casualty to an
operating table within the vaunted ``golden hour'';
(10) some Dustoff units in Vietnam operated so efficiently
that they were able to deliver a patient to a waiting medical
facility on an average of 50 minutes from the receipt of the
mission, which saved the lives of countless personnel in
Vietnam, and this legacy continues for modern-day Dustoff
crews;
(11) the inherent danger of being a member of a Dustoff
crew in Vietnam meant that there was a 1 in 3 chance of being
wounded or killed;
(12) many battles during the Vietnam War raged at night,
and members of the Dustoff crews often found themselves
searching for a landing zone in complete darkness, in bad
weather, over mountainous terrain, and all while being the
target of intense enemy fire as they attempted to rescue the
wounded, which caused Dustoff crews to suffer a rate of
aircraft loss that was more than 3 times that of all other
types of combat helicopter missions in Vietnam;
(13) the 54th Medical Detachment typified the constant
heroism displayed by Dustoff crews in Vietnam, over the span
of a 10-month tour, with only 3 flyable helicopters and 40
soldiers in the unit, evacuating 21,435 patients in 8,644
missions while being airborne for 4,832 hours;
(14) collectively, the members of the 54th Medical
Detachment earned 78 awards for valor, including 1 Medal of
Honor, 1 Distinguished Service Cross, 14 Silver Star Medals,
26 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 2 Bronze Star Medals for
valor, 4 Air Medals for valor, 4 Soldier's Medals, and 26
Purple Heart Medals;
(15) the 54th Medical Detachment displayed heroism on a
daily basis and set the standard for all Dustoff crews in
Vietnam;
(16) 6 members of the 54th Medical Detachment are in the
Dustoff Hall of Fame, 3 are in the Army Aviation Hall of
Fame, and 1 is the only United States Army aviator in the
National Aviation Hall of Fame;
(17) Dustoff crew members are among the most highly
decorated soldiers in United States military history;
(18) in early 1964, Major Charles L. Kelly was the
Commanding Officer of the 57th Medical Detachment (Helicopter
Ambulance), Provisional, in Soc Trang, South Vietnam;
(19) Major Kelly helped to forge the Dustoff call sign into
history as one of the most welcomed phrases to be heard over
the radio by wounded soldiers in perilous and dire
situations;
(20) in 1964, Major Kelly was killed in action as he
gallantly maneuvered his aircraft to save a wounded United
States soldier and several Vietnamese soldiers and boldly
replied, after being warned to stay away from the landing
zone due to the ferocity of enemy fire, ``When I have your
wounded.'';
(21) General William Westmoreland, Commander of the
Military Assistance Command, Vietnam from 1964 to 1968,
singled out Major Kelly as an example of ``the greatness of
the human spirit'' and highlighted his famous reply as an
inspiration to all in combat;
(22) General Creighton Abrams, successor to General
Westmoreland from 1968 to 1972, and former Chief of Staff of
the United States Army, highlighted the heroism of Dustoff
crews, ``A special word about the Dustoffs . . . . Courage
above and beyond the call of duty was sort of routine to
them. It was a daily thing, part of the way they lived.
That's the great part, and it meant so much to every last man
who served there. Whether he ever got hurt or not, he knew
Dustoff was there.'';
(23) Dustoff crews possessed unique skills and traits that
made them highly successful in aeromedical evacuation in
Vietnam, including indomitable courage, extraordinary
aviation skill and sound judgment under fire, high-level
medical expertise, and an unequaled dedication to the
preservation of human life;
(24) members of the United States Armed Forces on the
ground in Vietnam had their confidence and battlefield
prowess reinforced knowing that there were heroic Dustoff
crews just a few minutes from the fight, which was
instrumental to their well-being, willingness to fight, and
morale;
(25) military families in the United States knew that their
loved ones would receive the quickest and best possible care
in the event of a war-time injury, thanks to the Dustoff
crews;
(26) the willingness of Dustoff crews to also risk their
lives to save helpless civilians left an immeasurably
positive impression on the people of Vietnam and exemplified
the finest United States ideals of compassion and humanity;
and
(27) Dustoff crews from the Vietnam War hailed from every
State in the United States and represented numerous ethnic,
religious, and cultural backgrounds.
SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.
(a) Presentation Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate
shall make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on
behalf of Congress, of a single gold medal of appropriate
design in honor of the Dustoff crews of the Vietnam War,
collectively, in recognition of their heroic military
service, which saved countless lives and contributed directly
to the defense of the United States.
(b) Design and Striking.--For purposes of the presentation
referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury
(referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary'') shall strike a
gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions,
to be determined by the Secretary, in consultation with the
Secretary of Defense.
(c) U.S. Army Medical Department Museum.--
(1) In general.--Following the award of the gold medal in
honor of the Dustoff Crews of the Vietnam War, the gold medal
shall be given to the U.S. Army Medical Department Museum,
where it will be available for display as appropriate and
available for research.
(2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
the U.S. Army Medical Department Museum should make the gold
medal awarded pursuant to this Act available for display
elsewhere, particularly at appropriate locations associated
with the Vietnam War, and that preference should be given to
locations affiliated with the U.S. Army Medical Department
Museum.
SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS.
The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of
the gold medal struck under section 3, at a price sufficient
to cover the costs thereof, including labor, materials, dies,
use of machinery, and overhead expenses.
SEC. 5. STATUS OF MEDALS.
(a) National Medal.--Medals struck pursuant to this Act are
national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31,
United States Code.
(b) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of sections 5134 and
5136 of title 31, United
[[Page H5249]]
States Code, all medals struck under this Act shall be
considered to be numismatic items.
SEC. 6. AUTHORITY TO USE FUND AMOUNTS; PROCEEDS OF SALE.
(a) Authority To Use Fund Amounts.--There is authorized to
be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise
Fund such amounts as may be necessary to pay for the costs of
the medals struck under this Act.
(b) Proceeds of Sale.--Amounts received from the sale of
duplicate bronze medals authorized under section 4 shall be
deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
California (Mrs. Kim) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim).
General Leave
Mrs. KIM of California. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend
their remarks and include extraneous material on this bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Mrs. KIM of California. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2825, the Dustoff Crews of the
Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act, the Senate version of H.R.
1015, led by the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Kilmer), the
gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. Rodgers), the gentlewoman from Iowa
(Mrs. Miller-Meeks), and the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Mann).
Madam Speaker, we lost too many American soldiers during the Vietnam
war. That number would be dramatically higher if it were not for the
bravery shown by the pilots of the Dustoff crews.
During the Vietnam war, American helicopter rescue crews, known as
the Operation Dustoff crews, evacuated some 900,000 people to safety,
the equivalent of the populations of Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and Orlando
combined.
They did so under extremely perilous conditions. The Dustoff missions
left the crews unarmed, often flown completely at night, frequently
under enemy fire, and even after having to fight for permission to fly
because of the dangers.
Madam Speaker, the United States needed the Dustoff crews during the
Vietnam war because of the battle landscape. The stealthy, dispersed
enemy occupying the dense jungles of Vietnam meant American soldiers
had to push far from stationed medical support. Without a speedy exit
from combat, a wound during the Vietnam war meant almost certain death.
The brave men of the Dustoff crews rescued American soldiers,
civilians, and Vietnamese soldiers. When a call came in for Dustoff to
pick up wounded day and night, they went.
The Dustoff crews flew over 495,000 missions from 1962 to 1973.
Sadly, of the 1,400 pilots, 90 were killed, and roughly 380 were
wounded. These evacuation flights were some of the Army's most
dangerous missions.
The heroism, valor, and tenacity displayed by these young air crews
provided a gift of life that few consider or even think about today.
For each person saved by a medical evacuation air crew, whether it be a
man, woman, or child, those individuals went on to enjoy their life
beyond the strains of war. These young men voluntarily put their lives
on the line every day to save another human being.
Madam Speaker, I will leave my colleagues with the pledge of the
Dustoff crews: ``No hesitation. No reservation. No compromise. You get
the wounded out.''
This pledge speaks volumes. The pilots of the Dustoff crews deserve
to be honored by this Congress with a Congressional Gold Medal.
Madam Speaker, I thank the bill's sponsors for bringing forward this
important legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2825, the Dustoff Crews of the
Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act, sponsored by Senator Cornyn.
Madam Speaker, we are honoring the United States Army Dustoff crews
of the Vietnam war, who came from every State in the United States,
with the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of their extraordinary
heroism and lifesaving actions in Vietnam.
The Dustoff crewmen served aboard helicopter air ambulances and
performed medical evacuations for almost 900,000 Americans, South
Vietnamese, and other individuals from allied forces for more than 10
years.
In these efforts, they often proved to be the difference between life
and death for wounded personnel. The Dustoff crews in Vietnam were
innovative and resourceful. They took the new concept of helicopter
medical evacuation and revolutionized it to meet the goal of quickly
delivering a battlefield casualty to a hospital's operating table.
Being a member of the Dustoff crew meant that there was an inherent
danger to their work and a high likelihood of being wounded or killed.
{time} 1430
Additionally, many of the evacuations took place at night, and
Dustoff crews would find themselves searching for a landing zone in
complete darkness, bad weather, and mountainous terrain, all while
being the target of intense enemy fire as they rescued the wounded.
Collectively, the members of the Dustoff crews earned 78 awards for
their valor. The crews displayed heroism on a daily basis and were
among the most highly decorated soldiers in United States history.
Today, we will vote to present them with our highest honor, the
Congressional Gold Medal.
Madam Speaker, I thank the sponsors of this bill, including Mr.
Kilmer.
Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Washington
(Mr. Kilmer), who is also the sponsor of the House companion of this
bill.
Mr. KILMER. Madam Speaker, every now and then, Democrats and
Republicans come together to do something that matters for our
veterans, and today is one of those days as we honor Vietnam veterans
for their service and sacrifice, especially Dustoff crews.
Madam Speaker, between 1956 and 1975, 2.7 million Americans served in
some of the most severe conditions in the history of American warfare.
Unfortunately, when our servicemembers came home, they often didn't get
the gratitude that they earned.
The legislation in front of us today is a small step in the effort to
correct that.
Today is an opportunity for our Congress and our country to say to
Vietnam veterans and specifically to Dustoff crewmembers that we are
grateful for their service and sacrifice for this country. They stepped
up and offered their bodies and lives to protect our way of life.
Despite everything Vietnam veterans went through, many never stopped
serving our country or looking out for people who wear the uniform. As
a Representative, that means a lot to me. As a dad, knowing my kids are
growing up in a country that is stronger and freer because of those who
served means a lot to me, as well.
That gratitude needs to come with more than words of thanks. It needs
to come with a commitment that future generations know of their
sacrifice and service to our country. It means backing up words with
action. It means the men and women who fight for our country shouldn't
have to fight for a job when they come home. It means that in the land
of the free and the home of the brave, every brave servicemember should
have a home. It means ensuring that veterans get the care, benefits,
and recognition that they have earned.
Today, Congress can take another step forward in recognizing the
valiant efforts of our Vietnam veterans by passing this bipartisan
legislation, led by myself and Cathy McMorris Rodgers, called the
Dustoff Crews of the Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act.
This legislation has a simple but important mission: to award Dustoff
crews of the Vietnam war with the Congressional Gold Medal.
Dustoff crewmembers--helicopter air ambulance pilots, crew chiefs,
and
[[Page H5250]]
medics--performed aeromedical evacuations of over 900,000 U.S.,
Vietnamese, and allied forces from May 1962 to March 1973. Dustoff
crews often faced foul weather, mountainous terrain, and intense enemy
fire, with crewmembers facing a one-in-three chance of being wounded or
killed.
These were heroes who saved lives.
One Dustoff unit, the 54th Medical Detachment, typified the heroism
of Dustoff crews. Over 10 months, 40 soldiers equipped with only three
helicopters evacuated over 21,000 patients on 8,600 missions over
nearly 5,000 hours, earning 78 valor awards.
Awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the Dustoff crews of the
Vietnam war is an important step toward recognizing the pivotal role
that these servicemembers played in saving the lives of so many and
serving our country so proudly.
Since the American Revolution, Congress has commissioned gold medals
as its highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished
achievements and contributions.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the
gentleman from Washington.
Mr. KILMER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
Congress has never awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to any group
of Vietnam veterans. Today, we can change that by passing this
legislation. I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote to
do just that.
Madam Speaker, I thank Representative McMorris Rodgers and Senators
Cornyn and Warren for their partnership and leadership on this effort.
I also thank our veterans and every family member or friend who has
supported a veteran.
Madam Speaker, we honor the service of our Vietnam veterans. Today,
we move forward in ensuring that the Dustoff crews are recognized with
the Congressional Gold Medal, and I thank them for their service.
May God bless them and this country.
Mrs. KIM of California. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my
time.
Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I
am so pleased and proud to be on this floor today in recognition of
Vietnam-era veterans and their service to this country.
As a matter of fact, I have always felt very bad when I encountered
Vietnam-era veterans and always apologized to them for the fact that
they were not received back to their country in a manner that they
should have been and received the resources that they deserved, having
served our country.
This is a very important bill that will honor the U.S. Army Dustoff
crews of the Vietnam war collectively in recognition of their
extraordinary heroism, their lifesaving actions in Vietnam, and their
direct contribution to the defense of the United States.
I thank Mr. Kilmer and all the other sponsors of this bill. Further,
I asked my staff as we were sitting here: Were the Dustoff crews a
special unit that we are honoring today? Should we be looking at other
Vietnam-era veterans?
It is a question I am raising as I make this presentation today.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Kilmer so very much for his comments. I urge
all of my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I yield back the balance of
my time.
Mrs. KIM of California. Mr. Speaker, I, too, echo all the comments
that were said about honoring the Vietnam war-era veterans. I take the
challenge that our ranking member has spoken about, identifying and
recognizing other Vietnam war veterans, and that is why I have done
this.
As I am sure many of my colleagues do, too, in their respective
districts, we take the time to identify the Vietnam-era war veterans,
and every time we have a community event, we invite them and present
them with a token of a lapel pin to show our appreciation. It is a
small token of saying thank you. We can never say enough about how we
are happy that they are home, so we welcome everybody home, especially
from the Vietnam war.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support S. 2825, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Carl). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, S. 2825.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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