Austin News

U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) have announced that their legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Vietnam War veterans known as "Dustoff Crews" has been signed into law.

"The U.S. Army Dustoff Crews who served during the Vietnam War risked their lives to rescue countless soldiers, sailors, and airmen who may have otherwise died on the battlefield," said Sen. Cornyn. "These American heroes deserve to be recognized for their extraordinary courage and service, and I am glad that this bipartisan legislation has been signed into law."

"During the Vietnam War, the U.S. Army Dustoff Crews risked their lives to rescue wounded American soldiers," said Sen. Warren. "Now that my bipartisan bill is signed into law, these servicemembers will be recognized for their heroic service."

The bill was cosponsored by a broad coalition of senators including Ted Cruz (R-TX), Bob Casey (D-PA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Steve Daines (R-MT), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), John Thune (R-SD), Peter Welch (D-VT), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Gary Peters (D-MI), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Katie Britt (R-AL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Mazie Hirono (D-HI).

Additional cosponsors included Mike Braun(R-IN ), Chris Coons(D-DE ), Tom Cotton(R-AR ), Kirsten Gillibrand(D-NY ), Angus King(I-ME ), Thom Tillis(R-NC ), Mitt Romney(R-UT ), Ron Wyden(D-OR ), Kyrsten Sinema(I-AZ ), Bill Cassidy(R-LA ), Markwayne Mullin(R-OK ), Bill Hagerty(R-TN ), Dan Sullivan(R-AK ).

Further support came from Ben Cardin(D-MD ) , Jon Tester(D-MT ) , Tammy Baldwin(D-WI ) , Lisa Murkowski(R-AK ) , Susan Collins(R-ME ) , Roger Wicker(R-MS ) , Josh Hawley(R-MO ) , Kevin Cramer(R-N D) , John Barrasso( R-WY) , Eric Schmitt( R -MO) , Jim Risch( R-ID) .

Also backing the bill were Pete Ricketts( R -NE) , Shelley Moore Capito( R-WV) , John Hoeven( R -ND) James Lankford( R -OK) Rick Scott( R-FL ). Deb Fischer( R -NE). Mike Rounds( R-S D). Mark Kelly(D-A Z). Tim Scott( R-S C). Tom Carper(D-D E). Patty Murray(D-W A). Joni Ernst( R-I A). Tammy Duckworth(D-I L). Martin Heinrich(D-NM ). Todd Young.(R-IN ). Sherrod Brown.( D-OH ). Chris Murphy.( D-C T.) and the late Dianne Feinstein.( D-C A.)

The Senate passed the legislation on May 10, 2024, followed by approval from the House of Representatives on September 17, 2024.

This year marks the 51st anniversary of the Paris Peace Accords which ended U.S. combat operations in Vietnam. The term “Dustoff” refers to helicopter-borne medical evacuation teams that landed in hostile conditions to save wounded Americans and South Vietnamese allies between 1962 through 1973. These crews transported approximately 900,000 United States casualties during this period.

Dustoff pilots and medics received training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio while crew chiefs trained at Fort Novosel in Alabama.

The bill had support from organizations such as Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, AMVETS, Association of the United States Army, Army Aviation Association of America, DUSTOFF Association, and Vietnam Dustoff Association.

###