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Each day was “another GRRRREAT DAY” for COL Eldon Ideus. A hardworking farmer’s son from Beatrice, Nebraska, Ideus learned to do his best regardless of the sacrifice. His thirty-year career included two tours of duty in Vietnam, command of the 377th Medical Company (AA) and the 1st Medical Group during Desert Storm. Problems were just […]

COL Douglas Moore had a distinguished career as an aviator, commander, and senior staff officer. During two tours in Vietnam, he flew 1874 combat missions, evacuated 2782 patients and piloted the aircraft that recovered three American POWs from the North Vietnamese in a highly sensitive mission along the Cambodian Border. Between Vietnam tours, he helped

SSG Charles Allen trained for eleven years to treat battlefield casualties. Upon his assignment in 1964 to the 57th Med. Det. (HA) he put his training into practice under the leadership of the legendary Major Charles Kelly. He placed his dedication and devotion to duty above his own chances for personal advancement defining his distinguished

COL Ernest J. Sylvester personifies the highest standard of the DUSTOFF tradition. As a 2nd Lieutenant on his first tour in Vietnam, he was the first aviator in that war to fly over 1000 hours in combat assault and direct combat support missions. He earned three awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross, 47 Air medals,

LTC Paul A. Bloomquist exemplified the DUSTOFF spirit throughout his brilliant career. Spending nearly 35 months in Vietnam, he earned 4 awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross, 37 Air Medals, and 3 Purple Hearts. One DFC citation reports that even though he was wounded himself, he continued flying for nearly 13 hours during which time

Brigadier Jerome Foust’s career as DUSTOFF Aviator, commander of medical and medical support units in a variety of combat operations, and as Chief, Medical Service Corps, clearly defines him as one of the most accomplished MSC officers ever. From his first assignment as a DUSTOFF pilot in the Republic of Vietnam, where he completed many

In February 1962, CPT John Temperilli, Commander, 57th Medical Detachment, spearheaded events that formed DUSTOFF. Reassigned to Vietnam, they arrived, bringing the first Hueys in country. He fought for things taken for granted today, like refueling and weather support, maps, and repair parts. The first mission was flown 12 May 1962, when they evacuated a

Specialist 5 Wayne Simmons was a giant of a man, and much to his delight he was called “Tiny.” In seven months he proved himself to be one of the bravest members of the 57th Medical Detachment, setting a standard that would be hard to equal, let alone exceed. He demonstrated courage and leadership abilities

Steve Hook was the “Charles Kelly of Dustoff medics”. He put every life entrusted to his care above his own. He routinely risked his life for the wounded. He walked in minefields for wounded where no other soldier would move. He crossed battlefields under enemy fire for the wounded. He volunteered for missions in weather

Lieutenant Colonel (later Major General) Spurgeon Neel was a pioneer in the development of the principles of aeromedical evacuation of battlefield casualties having chaired a board which tested, evaluated, and recommended the use of the helicopter in medical evacuation (MASH) roles. His recommendations were put to use in the Korean War and, based on further