DUSTOFF Association Army Air Ambulance Flight Medic Medical Pilot

Special Tribute on 2008 Memorial Day in Mannheim
by Christine I. Gebhard Public Affairs Office
USAG Mannheim Mannheim (26 May 2008)

“It is said that greater love has no man that this – that a man lay down his life for his friends”. These were the opening words by LTC Robert Howe, Deputy Commander, 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment at the Memorial Day ceremony in Mannheim, which had a special meaning this year to the family of SSG Heathe N. Craig, former MEDEVAC Team Noncommissioned Officer. His wife Judith and children Jonas and Leona were invited to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross, posthumously awarded to the Soldier, who was killed in Afghanistan in June 2006. SSG Craig and the crew of DUSTOFF 62 answered the call in response to an urgent medical evacuation for three, 10th Mountain Division troopers, who had been critically wounded in an ambush in Afghanistan. The crew was unable to land the helicopter on the rugged terrain, so they were forced to execute a rescue hoist operation.

“SSG Craig treated and hoisted a first casualty to the safety of the aircraft, however, on the second operation, something went horribly wrong”, said Howe. “SSG Craig and his second casualty, Private Bradbury, fell to the rocky ground below, paying the ultimate sacrifice. Our Hero saved the life of one Soldier that night and bravely sacrificed his own life, for a man that he never met, attempting to fulfill our noble promise to never leave a fallen comrade.” Howe had been the commander of the 159th Air Medical Company (Air Ambulance) at the time.

The Medal (photo by Jürgen Thieme) Jonas Craig (7) smiles in appreciation as COL Joseph A. Brendler shakes his hand after presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to the son of SSG Heathe N. Craig, who was killed in Afghanistan in June 2006 during a MEDEVAC operation. Looking on are his sister Leona, who is sitting on Grandma Petra Gross’ lap, next to Grandpa Harald Gross.

Colonel Joseph A. Brendler, commander, 2d Signal Brigade, who was representing the Senior Mission Commander at the Memorial Day ceremony, then proceeded to present the Distinguished Flying Cross to Jonas Craig (7) while his sister Leona, mother Judith and her parents, Harald and Petra Gross were observing the presentation.

Petra Gross described her son-in-law as “a wonderful person, whom we all miss a lot. Whenever I look at Jonas, I see his father in him. For us, today is difficult, because it brings back so many painful memories. However, in the future, I’m sure his children will be proud of the honor bestowed on their father on this Memorial Day.”

Flight Medic Receives Silver Star

Staff Sgt. Peter Rohrs, Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, is awarded the Silver Star by President George W. Bush along with the commander of the 82nd Abn. Div. MAJ Gen. David Rodriguez during the Division Review on May 22 at Fort Bragg, N.C. Rohrs, a native of San Antonio, served as a medic and is credited for the rescue of 12 critically wounded coalition soldiers.

Staff Sergeant Peter David Rohrs of Fayetteville, North Carolina for gallantry in action on 9 November 2007 while serving as a Flight Medic, Company C, 3-82nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, in support of operation Enduring Freedom. His selfless actions were directly responsible for the rescue of twelve critically wounded coalition Soldiers. His courage, tactical abilities, and regard for the safety of his patients, crew, and aircraft were remarkable.

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The Nebraska Army National Guard holds an annual recognition ceremony with the Governor at the State Capitol for all our soldiers who are presented a valor award, Purple Heart, or who are killed in action.

Charlie Company 2-135 GSAB (the old 24th Medical Company) took advantage of the opportunity when SGT Heather Springer was presented her BSM-V and had the Governor, Dave Heineman (with their Adjutant General BG Kadavy, her State Senator Diana Simek, and our State CSM Burch), as they re-presented and recognized her for winning the prestigious DUSTOFF Association DUSTOFF Medic of the Year award.

Submitted by COL Tom Schuurmans, Chief of Staff, Nebraska National Guard and Life Member of the DUSTOFF Association.

The DUSTOFF Association is collecting air ambulance war stories in an attempt to archive these stories for future generations and research. Please contribute your most memorable war story to our archive by clicking HERE.

Reunion Scrapbook. Yes DUSTOFFers, an old tradition of keeping a scrapbook of old past DUSTOFF reunions photos has come to the virtual world. Go to the Reunion Scrapbook and check out the photos. Better yet, send us your photos from past reunions and we'll post them.

If you haven't checked the E-mail address page lately, you might want to look at it and see if you know anyone.

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