COL David Dryden is a multi-skilled aviator, commander, and health care administrator. One of the first MSC pilots to become a Helicopter Instrument Instructor and Standardization Pilot, he completed two tours in Vietnam, flying 1036 combat hours and evacuating over 2500 patients. Facing almost insurmountable challenges involving aircraft and maintenance support, he activated and commanded …
Jimmy Johnson was an extraordinarily accomplished enlisted /officer medic. After a tour as a combat medic in Vietnam, he volunteered for DUSTOFF duty. On a night mission during a tropical storm in mountains, he flew 9 hours loading and treated scores of wounded under constant enemy fire. Jimmy volunteered to go back again and again …
Warrant Officer Tim Cole served his country with dignity, honor, and valor in Vietnam, flying over 800 missions and evacuating over 1600 wounded personnel. Tim was a dedicated pilot who earned the Silver Star, 5 Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, the Purple Heart, and multiple Air Medals during his 9 months in …
SSG Thomas “Egor” Johnson was inducted into the DUSTOFF Hall of Fame for his life-long impact on the DUSTOFF Association and his contributions to the legacy of DUSTOFF. He served 3 combat tours in Viet Nam and was awarded 17 Air Medals, 4 for Valor; the Bronze Star Medal; 2 Army Commendation Medals for Valor; …
LTC Vince Cedola’s first mission of deploying a unit set the stage for the rest of his aviation career, activating and deploying DUSTOFF units to where none had previously existed. Originally assigned to the 274th Medical Detachment in Germany, he was immediately transferred to the 47th Medical Detachment and deployed with them to Lebanon. He …
Colonel Edward Bradshaw’s 30-year career in the Army epitomized the creed of the Army officer. He held 11 commands; many were unique and can never be replicated by other Army officers. He served in Vietnam as an Infantry Platoon Leader in the 1st Cavalry Division. Returning to Vietnam as a DUSTOFF Aviator, he commanded the …
Colonel Robert B. Romines had an outstanding career as a DUSTOFF aviator and professional officer. His performance as a DUSTOFF aviator in combat is legendary. During his Vietnam tour with the 45th Med Co (AA), no one flew more hours, evacuated more patients, took more hits from enemy fire or completed more evacuation missions. He …
COL Dan Gower dedicated 27 years of service to Army serving 96 months in command and 147 months as a DUSTOFF pilot. His career was marked with outstanding leadership, selfless service. His unit was awarded the FORSCOM Commander’s Trophy for Aviation Safety in 1981, signifying the number one-rated unit of that size. He developed the Army’s …
Colonel Merle J Snyder had a distinguished 30-year career as an aviator, commander, and senior staff officer. He rose from Private to Colonel. In Vietnam, he flew 1,387 missions, evacuated over 3000 patients and is recognized as one of our most respected and heroic DUSTOFF pilots. He negotiated a medical support plan with the Israelis …
James “Pappy” Coleman earned 3 Silver Stars, a Distinguished Flying Cross, 2 Bronze Stars and an Air Medal all for Valor, and 2 Purple Hearts; but no award matches the respect he earned from those he served. On hundreds of missions, in numerous minefields and countless bullet-swept battle zones, Coleman tread where others would not. …