| 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 for a peacekeeping force in the Sinai. He converted the 421st Medical Company into the Army’s first and most proficient evacuation battalion. Recognized as the Army’s premier medical operator, the Army Surgeon General credited him with deploying 44 hospitals and 13,500 beds to Desert Storm as part of the fastest mobilization in our nation’s history. As Executive Officer for the Army Surgeon General, he implemented the one-staff concept that exists today between OTSG and the US Army Medical Command. His many awards include the Silver Star, the Distinguished Service Medal, six Legions of Merit, and Distinguished Flying Cross. He was a Master Army Aviator and Instrument Flight Examiner. Merle Snyder was inducted into the DUSTOFF Hall of Fame on 11 February 2006 |