Dustoff Pilot Asks Congress To Give Aero-Medics Their Due

John Travers of Harrisburg (PA) leads a relatively quiet life these days.

Relative to what, you ask? Relative to 1970-71, when he flew 955 combat missions, evacuating a total of 2,045 wounded soldiers from combat zones in Vietnam.

"Typical of them was Kevin Donaughue, a medic who I personally watched
jump from my aircraft, under extremely intense fire, and run through a mine field to retrieve a wounded soldier and bring him back to our aircraft, all while AK-47 rounds exploded around him," Travers testified before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee on Tuesday.

Refusing Dustoff crews the combat badge, said Travers, "can only be described as a slap in the face by the Army we served so loyally."

Falling On Deaf Ears

The Army, however, sees it differently. Lt. Gen. John LeMoyne told the committee that Dustoff crews didn't have to work 30 consecutive days in the bush, fighting daily battles with the enemy. That, he said, disqualifies the medics from receiving the CMB.

"Since inception, the intent of the Department of the Army regarding this requirement has been that medical personnel must be personally present and under fire in order to be eligible for the awarding of the badge," said LeMoyne, who also served in Vietnam. Given that, he was not unsympathetic to Travers' plea.

"My emotions are with you," he told the retired CWO.

But tea and sympathy didn't cut it at the Senate Veterans' Affairs meeting Tuesday. Chairman Arlen Specter, (R-PA) repeatedly demanded LeMoyne defend the policy, telling the general: "I think you have your toughest assignment today. This is something the Congress of the United States ought to decide," Specter said.

"And then the commander in chief will have to decide if he agrees with Congress."

FMI: www.army.mil