Posts of the Members of the Hall of Fame with Picture and Citation
CWO Thomas “Hoot” Gipson, Jr., the original DUSTOFF 39, twice extended his tour of duty to fly DUSTOFF. Hoot was the first warrant officer to be designated as an Aircraft Commander in DUSTOFF. His strong maintenance background resulted in unprecedented aircraft availability and crew utilization during his tenure as maintenance officer and test pilot. He …
LTC Steven D. Vermillion completed a highly successful 26-year career as a Master Army Aviator, Armor/Air Cavalry Commander, and senior staff officer. In Vietnam, Steve flew l,450 combat missions, and evacuated more than 2,200 patients. He was a heroic and tenacious combat pilot, flying with fearlessness. but without reckless abandon. Each mission tested his decision-making …
LTC Ronald (HUEY) Huether spent all but one assignment in AMEDD aviation positions working to mentor junior aviators. He is a Master Aviator with 5,500 hours flight time, qualified in: UH-1, OH-58, T-42, U-21, C-12, and numerous civilian aircraft and holds an Airline Transport Pilot’s rating. After flight school he went to Vietnam earning the …
COL Thomas C. Scofield’s 28-year military career as a DUSTOFF pilot, commander at every level of the AMEDD, and his contributions in key and important staff assignments are immeasurable. During his two tours in Vietnam, he earned four awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with V device for valor and 39 Oak …
COL Benjamin Knisely epitomizes the best in AMEDD aviation and our DUSTOFF tradition. At the battle of Hue-Phu Bai he was shot down while attempting a hoist mission in the Ashaw valley. For three days, with no food or water, he evaded capture. After evacuation and nine months of rehabilitation, Ben’s petition to remain on …
COL Hank Tuell had an outstanding career as an aviator, commander and hospital administrator. His initial assignment after flight school was with the 15th Medical Battalion in Vietnam. He flew more than 1,000 combat hours, evacuating over 2,100 patients, demonstrating tenacity and bravery under fire. His combat awards include the Silver Star, six awards of …
COL Charles Webb completed training as an infantryman before attending OCS in 1957. Branch transferring to the Medical Service Corps, he had a long, distinguished career as an aviator, staff officer and commander. He commanded at the detachment, platoon, company and battalion levels, had many tours as a DUSTOFF pilot and several years as a …
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 …