HEROES

Editor’s Note: What is a hero??? We all know the about the actions of Bill Pitsenbarger that led to him receiving the MOH, but is this the only prerequisite of a hero, I think not? After receiving the following letter, I began to wonder. Sometimes, it’s an every day action of compassion that places an individual in this hero category. I’ll let each reader decide for themselves.

In the late Summer or early Fall of 1964, DET2 AARC Laon AB, France was tasked with a mission to evacuate an injured American Soldier from the Suippes Gunnery Range to the American Army Hospital at Verdun. While this mission wasn’t as daring or heroic as were many in S.E.A., it was flown with the professionalism and dedication that has been AIR RESCUE’S trademark.

As I remember, the soldier, a member of the Army’s Combat Engineers was doing some work on the range when he was run over by a bulldozer, breaking his leg. It was a Sunday and the accident occurred about 10 AM, but we weren’t notified until 2 in the afternoon. Captain David Glick was the pilot. I can’t remember the name of the copilot or the doctor from the Laon AB Hospital that accompanied us.

We flew to the Suippes Range, about 90 miles east of Laon. After landing, I got out to check the “Droop Stops” and noticed the injured solider on the ground lying on an Army litter. It didn’t look like he had received much first aid prior to our arrival. After the HH-43 was shut down, I with the help of some soldiers loaded the patient. While I was securing the litter, an Army Lieutenant came over and talked to the injured PFC. He told him not to worry, he was in the good hands of Air Force Air Rescue and we would soon have him to the Hospital in Verdun. The injured soldier who was quite young (I was only 20) and appeared scared, mentioned how much pain he was in and that he had never flown in a helicopter.

Captain Glick must have overheard our conversation, because before the doctor could give the patient anything for pain, he climbed out of the pilot’s seat and came back to the crew door. He talked to the injured soldier for several minutes assuring him that he would have a good flight , everything would be okay and if he needed anything, just let us know. I think this really meant a lot to this young PFC having an Air Force officer, a pilot, talking to him so kindly. We then took off for the Hospital about 30 minutes flying time away.

When we landed at Verdun, a large group of Army personnel and dependents turned out to look at the Huskie, I don’t think they had seen one before? I also think it made this young soldier feel little better to see the reception and the crowd as he was transferred to the waiting ambulance.

I don’t have any idea what that PFC’s name was, where he was from or where he is today? But, I’ll always remember how impressed I was that Captain Glick had shown such concern and compassion for a young enlisted U.S. Soldier injured while serving in a foreign land.

I doubt that anyone ever mentioned this mission to Captain Glick after that day, but I have never forgotten how he went that extra mile for that young soldier. I would just like Dave Glick to know that little things like this are what stick in a person’s mind after 39 years.

Anthony F. Desmond

Airborne Rescueman/Firefighter

DET2 AARC Laon AB, France

Apr 1963-Jun 1965

Introduction

Notes and Letters

S.E.A. Stories

SAR Pattern

Ring of Fire

Mr. Huskie

Flight Simulator

On Final