Army Reporter information
for 237 MED DET
For date 710308
237 MED DET was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Quang Tri Province, I Corps, South Vietnam
Location, Quang Tri
Description: 08Mar71 It's a big gamble; the stakes are human lives
QUANG TRI - Dustoff crews bet their professional competence against the marksmanship of the enemy - they wager their lives to save others. Spec. 5 Jeff Morris is but one of many volunteer medics who have openly taunted death in the Republic to be able to help save someone's life. Morris who flies with the 237th Med. Det. (Helicopter Ambulance) attached to the 18th Surgical Hospital at Quang Tri, says he volunteered for the excitement and for the chance to help others. "Most crew members don't stay more than four or five months," Morris says. "They take rounds in their aircraft or get wounded. It doesn't pay to make close friends. There are about 25 people flying dustoff in out unit - about half that number have been killed in the 13 months I've been here," he says. "When you're on the ground you're too busy to think about taking fire. It's a matter of getting people aboard and getting out," Morris said. Morris was awarded a Silver Star for valor during his 13-month tour. He was credited for returning to his disabled ship and pulling the crew chief to safety before the downed craft exploded. Morris flew "first up" (first to go out on a mission) until a few days before he left Vietnam. Although it is customary to stop flying "first up" 30 days before DEROS, Jeff refused to resign his position. The Laotian operations were just getting into full swing and Morris said he just couldn't sit in the rear knowing what was going on so close.
Photo Captions:
1) Morris checks a fragmentation wound on the back of a soldier picked up near Khe Sanh.
2) Time for a little relaxation 00 but with the coming of evening, Morris will find himself back in action.
3) Morris checks out his control panel for another mission during his 13th month on the DMZ.
4) Another function of the dustoff is "backhauling" - moving patients from Khe Sanh to Quang Tri.
5) Trying to be careful, but short on time, Morris lifts a wounded man hurriedly into the helicopter.
6) Morris checks his medical kit after the mission, making sure he has what he needs for the next one.
Comments: SP5 Morris, Jeff; Medic; ;
The source for this information was 7103AR.AVN supplied by Les Hines
Additional information is available on CD-ROM.
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Date posted on this site:
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