Dustoff: The Unprecedented Horror Witnessed By Vietnam Medics
In 1963, the U.S. Army 57th Medical Detachment (Helicopter Ambulance) commander started using the radio call sign "Dustoff" for his medical evacuation chopper.
I was part of the beginning of the video. Didn't know much of what happened once they left they bush. The medic's got updates and let us know how our buds were doing or not.
And that old gas-lighting bullshit "nobody ever got spit on". Hell, I got spit on, and my eyes were still covered in bandages with my Pop leading me off the aircraft. Fucking cowardly stinking bunch of hippies. Don't get me started...
Had a year left 71-72 in USMC after my Nam tour and was stationed at Camp Pendleton ,Camp San Mateo. Outside the gate was town of San Clemente, known as Nixon’s “Western Whitehouse”. I’d hitchhike away from there often. Cars would pass and hurl gobs of spit my direction often. I was picked up once heading up I-5 to Anaheim and the male driver informed me that, “did I know I ate babies?” (propaganda used by VC/NVA to keep locals in line) Told the idiot my stop was at next exit. Folks also would pick you up and purposely leave you in a “dead zone” where it was hard to catch another lift. S.Cali folks could be nasty to Vets and one being bald headed in the early 70’s made you their preferred target.
Dedicated Unselfish Service To Our Fearless Friends I worked with them a lot when I was stationed at the 23rd Med Det in Wildflecken, Germany in the mid-late 70's.
My brother, coming home from Korea, had to lay over in LA. They were told to wear civies and allowed to have their hair a little long. As he was crossing the terminal, a hippie threw a cup of urine on a sailor in uniform. The sailor proceeded to deck the scum bag. That night the news reported that a deranged sailor attacked another traveler for no reason what so ever. He told the story years later when someone was claiming those reports were mythical.
"unprecedented"... Pshaw.
ReplyDeleteI was part of the beginning of the video. Didn't know much of what happened once they left they bush. The medic's got updates and let us know how our buds were doing or not.
ReplyDeleteIf you’re a Nam Vet, “Welcome Home”. Something we never heard and were to proud to ask for.
ReplyDeleteAnd that old gas-lighting bullshit "nobody ever got spit on". Hell, I got spit on, and my eyes were still covered in bandages with my Pop leading me off the aircraft. Fucking cowardly stinking bunch of hippies. Don't get me started...
DeleteHad a year left 71-72 in USMC after my Nam tour and was stationed at Camp Pendleton ,Camp San Mateo. Outside the gate was town of San Clemente, known as Nixon’s “Western Whitehouse”. I’d hitchhike away from there often. Cars would pass and hurl gobs of spit my direction often. I was picked up once heading up I-5 to Anaheim and the male driver informed me that, “did I know I ate babies?” (propaganda used by VC/NVA to keep locals in line) Told the idiot my stop was at next exit. Folks also would pick you up and purposely leave you in a “dead zone” where it was hard to catch another lift. S.Cali folks could be nasty to Vets and one being bald headed in the early 70’s made you their preferred target.
DeleteHey Kenny;
ReplyDeleteThat callsign stayed for all the helicopter evacs through the 1980's as you know. Don't know if it changed now.
Unbelievably dedicated and brave; ask me how I know. regards, Alemaster
ReplyDeleteDedicated
ReplyDeleteUnselfish
Service
To
Our
Fearless
Friends
I worked with them a lot when I was stationed at the 23rd Med Det in Wildflecken, Germany in the mid-late 70's.
Welcome home, guys! Sorry the hippies acted like that, those fucking swine. You all deserved much better than that!
ReplyDeleteTom762
My brother, coming home from Korea, had to lay over in LA. They were told to wear civies and allowed to have their hair a little long.
ReplyDeleteAs he was crossing the terminal, a hippie threw a cup of urine on a sailor in uniform. The sailor proceeded to deck the scum bag.
That night the news reported that a deranged sailor attacked another traveler for no reason what so ever.
He told the story years later when someone was claiming those reports were mythical.