VA HR81

Commends U.S. Army dustoff (helicopter medical evacuation) crews of the Vietnam War for receiving the Congressional Gold Medal in 2024

Recognizes dustoff crews evacuated more than 900,000 soldiers, allies, and civilians between May 1962 and March 1973 using Bell UH-1 "Huey" helicopters

Acknowledges crews achieved average patient delivery times of 50 minutes from mission receipt, establishing the "golden hour" standard for trauma care that remains a benchmark today

Notes dustoff crews suffered aircraft loss rates more than three times higher than other combat helicopter missions, with crewmembers facing a one-in-three chance of being wounded or killed

Honors Major Charles Livingston Kelley, commander of the 57th Medical Detachment, who was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and Silver Star after being killed in action while rescuing wounded personnel