This is in support of America’s most decorated Combat Veteran, MajGen. Patrick H. Brady, USA (Ret) (Meal Of Honor) a “Dust Off” pilot during the Vietnam War 

Senator or Congressman________:

I am writing to ask for your support for America’s most reviled and neglected Veterans in our Republic’s history — the Vietnam Veteran, and that you support Senate Bill 2268.

Amazingly, no individual or US Military unit has received a Congressional Gold Medal specifically for service in Vietnam. Yet Vietnam may be the only war we ever fought in which the heroism of the American soldier was accompanied by a humanitarianism, unmatched in the annals of warfare. And the humanitarianism took place during the heat of battle. The GI fixed as he fought, he cured, educated, and built in the middle of the battle. What other Army has ever done that? Humanitarianism was America’s great victory in Vietnam.

Spearheading the humanitarianism efforts were the “Dust Off Crews”, the most dangerous of all aviation missions, which rescued some one million US Armed Forces personnel, friendly and enemy men, women, and children.  Any American who visits Vietnam today will see the fruits of the GIs charity in the Vietnamese people.  

It is fitting, that during the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, while DOD is honoring all members of the US Armed Forces who fought and died in Vietnam, that the US Congress authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the “Dust Off Crews”.  The “Dust Off Crews” were the revered by members of the US Armed Forces because of their courageous and humanitarian effort under fire, as they stubbornly returned and landed their helicopters, time and time again, in hot landing zones, in order to rescue and evacuate wounded personnel under vicious attack by enemy forces in Vietnam. 

General Creighton Abrams, Supreme Commander Military Forces in Vietnam singled out the “Dust Off Crews” as the “prototype of the Vietnam Warrior: “A special word about the “Dust Offs Crews”… “Courage above and beyond the call of duty, was a daily routine for them.”  It was a selfless dedication to save the lives of their fellow Vietnam Warriors---it was part of the way they lived. The “Dust Off Crews” selfless courage, focusing on rescuing and evacuating their fellow comrades in arms, gave great comfort and meant so much to combat personnel going into “Harm’s Way” daily. The military personnel in combat operations knew if they were “Wounded In Action”, the “Dust Off Crews” would be there to evacuate them, no matter what the cost.  It was the greatest morale booster for combat personnel going into “Harm’s Way.” 

There are bills in both Houses of Congress — S:2268 and H.R. 5299. this effort to authorize a “Congressional Gold Medal” for “Dust Off Crews” who served in Vietnam  has the support of every major veterans organization in America. Please join the veterans of America and co-sponsor a Congressional Gold Medal for America’s most mistreated Veterans.