Vet works to spread word of Vietnam Dustoff crews

A Vietnam War veteran is working to spread awareness of the U.S. Army Dustoff Crews that worked to rescue hundreds of thousands of patients.

Gary Hagen, 73, served two tours in Vietnam and now lives in Oregon City, Oregon. He received a Congressional Gold Medal in 2024 for his work as a Crew Chief on the helicopter crews that flew medical evacuation missions from 1964 to 1975.

Last fall, President Joe Biden signed into law the Dustoff Crews of the Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act. The medal is the highest civilian award Congress can bestow on an individual or group.

March 29 marked the 50th anniversary of the complete withdrawal of all combat troops in Vietnam.

“Please pass this news along to your contacts of family and friends so that those who may be honored will be aware of this information,” Hagen said in news release. “Many members of Vietnam Dustoff have remained in the shadows all these years and deserve to be recognized for their unwavering service to our country.”

Hagen reported that about 1,400 pilots and 2,000 crew members flew medical evacuation missions. He said the risk of injury was three times greater than any other helicopter mission flown during the war. Nearly every mission was flown without support from other aircraft.

For more information, contact Hagen at cgmceremony@gmail.com or 503-522-5873.

Also, the Dustoff Association website is at www.dustoff.org and its email is info@dustoff.org.