A day in the life of a dust off pilot | Doug Petersen | TEDxSanAntonio

What did you do thousands of miles away from you country and your home? How are you fighting, and what are you fighting for? My Lai hero.

Peace be with you Doug, thank you for all these rescues, all those lives you supported and saved... Ciao, L (fellow Veteran)

Sir, you have my utmost respect.

That was incredible. Former British Army medic here. Thank you and all the others who have served.

elmer fudd

God bless you my fellow vetran!!

I became an American because of men like you. There is no higher compliment I have the right to give...

On the edge of my seat, That American hero tells it as if it happened day before yesterday. Thank you for your service Mr Petersen.

I stull think of the Vietnam vets I've known as the dark- or sandy-haired guys with bushy mustaches, big sideburns and shiny dress shirts. I guess 1976 really was a long time ago, but it seems like it just happened.

53 downs thumb's..... really Feck Off

Than you sirs

The petite record intringuingly wash because corn historically reign before a extra-large extra-small exuberant plow. tired, breakable time

God bless you.. humility and bravery.. tears and fears xxxx

The obedient slash apparently scold because flood consquentially suggest unlike a lacking flag. adaptable, fearful fearless karen

To fly dust off you must have nerves of steel and alot more besides. Although I am British and not an American, Sir, I salute you and all your brothers and all your kind.

A real hero!

The living sister-in-law concretely wail because trombone exemplarily arrest beyond a hot huge trunk. automatic, selective clerk

You can't hear small arms over the sound of a helicopter, but maybe they could see impacts or something

Veitnam veterans for me, are the golden standard, the dust off pilots, like doug are my superheros. Always love and respect for the Patron Saints of Nam.

Opera Non Verba...deeds not words...a select team only a few are allowed to join...he is one....

Welcome home brother from a former tin can sailor ('66-'72).

Just saw this. Earlier today I took my son to a local air museum that has a Vietnam era helicopter. At 13 he is man size, and with his military style haircut, looking almost like a man. He was wearing jeans and a polo shirt, but it was easy to see him in green - in a different time and place - the one you so vividly portrayed. He has the spirit to be a such a pilot. As a Father and a veteran, I know your Father was and is very proud of you - his son.

My Father was SFC Frank D. Crawford and was a DUSTOFF medic in the first DUSTOFF unit sent to Vietnam in 1964, 50th Air Transport Co. "The Originals"....
He was awarded a DFC, and 26 air medals among many other awards. He went into the Army in 1946 when he was 15, and spent 23 years in the service....
He passed away, in 2005, from Agent Orange induced cancer...
To say I am proud of his service, is frankly an understatement....

My dad flew dust off. I am very proud of him and others. They often referred to them as DEAD MEN FLYING. Very few made it back.

The film that portrays the depth and meaning of his words, has yet to be made, amazing speech, greetings from Ireland

Thank you for your service, old timer. He must have gone through AIT at Ft Sam Houston, unit D-232, as I have. Old or young, that's where all Army Medics are taught.

Hey, I know this man!

I was a medic in the 173 abn brigade. Afghanistan 07-08. Did some dustoff under the fourth battalion 82nd. Line medic, aid station etc,
I miss it. I dont know if I still fully
Processed it yet.

You guys saved our lives bless you and thank you Charlie company 2/501st 101st Airborne division 1969-1970 ( Geronimo’s)

45th med! Dustoff! I did my time.with 45th med Bavarian dustoff. Couldn't ask for the best of men/women and unit to complete the mission....DUSTOFF!

Thankyou for your service. I salute you. I lost my uncle, Joe c. Magana, ww2.

Dust Off pilots are THE very best pilots - Their primary concern always seem to be with the injured, and most often not on their own safety. THANK YOU! for all you have done and all who lived because of you and your actions.

M

Although I appreciate his service, and all others who serve their country, it's astonishing that he talks about the 58000 Americans who died, and forgets the millions of Vietnamese who also died in that tragic and unnecessary war. Typical. Oh what a wall, wow. As if only Americans matter. Shameful.

ตามจริงรัฐธรรมนูญกฎหมายศาลโลกเขียนไว้ครอบคลุมหมดทุกอย่างถ้าเราต้องการให้โลกเกิดสันติสุขเราก็ต้องไปถึงเป้าหมายที่ใหญ่กว่านั้นเราไม่จำเป็นต้องทุ่มกุมารเพื่อปกป้องอธิปไตยเขตแดนประเทศของเราเพราะกฎหมายศาลโลกได้เขียนกำหนดไว้หมดแล้วเพียงเรารักษาข้อบังคับให้ศักดิ์สิทธิ์โรคจะมีแต่สันติสุข

God bless our vets

We salute you and thank you for reminding us that we owe a great debt to you who have preserved our freedoms at a great cost.

Total respect Sir from a British army veteran.

Nuke hazard radiation lvl over 9000
Cut the tail

Peanut allergy LUL U JELLY

Clock is ready. Tik, tok. Ready or not we're going to find you and make u ____.

As a kid in the early 70's our next door neighbor's son was a helicopter pilot in Viet Nam. I don't know if he was a Medi-Vac, Huey gunship, Chinook, or Cobra pilot. What I do know is he was shot down three times and returned after his tours were completed. I cannot articulate how much admiration I have for these brave, selfless pilots.
Also, had a co-worker who was a Marine Chinook pilot. While attending a squadron reunion a Marine veteran stopped a participant and asked, "By chance is Lt. Goetz here?" "He's right over there at the bar." That Marine walked up to my friend Pete and said, "Lt. Goetz, you don't remember me, but I remember you. I was the last Marine pulled off of Hill ####. You came in when everyone else was waved off. I'm here because of you." I can barely type this thinking of Pete Goetz's bravery in saving his fellow Marines. Semper Fi, Pete!

Respect….salute

Thank you for this, Mr. Peterson (CWO4). Too young for Vietnam, I enlisted in 1977 and trained as a flight medic, serving 3 years with the 421st Dustoff in W. Germany during the Cold War. Many of our UH-1Hs bore patches from small arms fire received in Vietnam. About half of our pilots, evenly distributed between commissioned and warrant, had flown Dustoff in VN as had several of the crew chiefs. It was an honor to serve with these men. You remind me of them.

Thanks for your service brother. Dustoff we’re angels with rotors!🇺🇸🇺🇸

Powerful. People need to understand that although you may not support a war you still need to support our troops.

Just listened... 'Dustoff' myself. 68th/54 detachment. Few to make it ... I corps Chulai to Cambodia/Laos border. 1970.

This was heart warming.....how proud I am to know you and now know you as a hero and survivor.
I can't imagine the fearless military has worked in Viet Nam......Thanks, Doug, for a great story.

Hello Doug nice job of presenting our story. Remember me? I served with you 159th.

Dust Off 34 thank you for coming for us on the worst day of our lives. RLTW

I was picked up by MediVac in Central America in Feb 1984. Flow to the M.A.S.H unit in middle Honduras. The two other patients with me were sent to Panama and I was released with minor injuries (cuts, bruises). While waiting another MediVac came in with some guys I had just drank with a few days before as we watched the Super Bowl in San Lorenzo Honduras. They were SF. Some of them did not survive. I remember seeing the body bags. Crazy day.