U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, has commended the passage of a bill she backed to collectively award a group of Vietnam War veterans known as “Dustoff Crews” with the Congressional Gold Medal. The legislation, led by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), received bipartisan support from 69 members of the U.S. Senate.
This year marks the 51st anniversary of the Paris Peace Accords, which ended U.S. combat operations in the Vietnam War. The term “Dustoff” refers to the radio call sign of helicopter-borne medical evacuation teams that landed in hostile conditions to save wounded Americans and South Vietnamese allies. From 1962 through 1973, Dustoff crews were responsible for transporting 17,700 United States casualties. During this period, soldiers assigned to Dustoff crews had a one-in-three chance of being wounded or killed.
In addition to Senators Hirono, Cornyn, and Warren, the bill was also cosponsored by numerous other senators across party lines.
The bill is supported by various veterans' organizations including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, AMVETS, Association of the United States Army, Army Aviation Association of America, DUSTOFF Association, and Vietnam Dustoff Association.