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purple heart day

Each year on August 7th, the nation pauses to remember and pay homage to the brave men and women who were either wounded on the battlefield or by an act of international terrorism or paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives to defend the freedoms all Americans are privileged to enjoy. As America’s oldest decoration, the Purple Heart is awarded to any member of the U.S. Armed Forces that has been wounded, died as a result of wounds received in battle, by an act of international terrorism, or those who died in captivity while a prisoner of war (POW). We now celebrate Purple Heart Day on the anniversary of its creation by General George Washington on August 7, 1782.

This year, many States, Counties, and Cities; sport and entertainment entities; colleges and universities, and other patriotic entities across the nation who have proclaimed themselves as Purple Heart entities, will raise the Purple Heart flag in recognition of the service and sacrifice of their local sons and daughters. In numerous cities across the Nation, the State Capitol Buildings and other major landmarks will be bathed in purple light to commemorate Purple Heart Day.

Prince William Donates Salary

Prince William has served in the military. He began his career in the Blues and Royals, a cavalry regiment within the Army, after training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

Following the completion of his training with the Royal Navy, Prince William obtained his commission as a sub-lieutenant, while also achieving flying officer in the Royal Air Force.

He then was graduated from the Royal Air Force College Cranwell and went on to join the RAF Search and Rescue Force. During his time as a rescue mission co-pilot Prince William was involved in 156 search and rescue operations, resulting in 149 people being rescued.

In 2015, the Prince of Wales took up the full-time position of pilot with the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA), donating his full salary to charity.

That's what all the pilots from Medevac should do, donate their retirement check to charity - yea, right.

Our brothers on the ground get new ambulance

Defense News Army 2024 On May 5, 2024, the medics of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division received the Army’s new combat vehicle, the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV), which is set to replace the M113 Armored Personnel Carrier as part of the Army's modernization initiative.

An M1285 Medical Treatment Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle awaits inspection at a motor pool. (Picture source: US DoD)

Sergeant First Class Benjamin Proctor, a medical platoon sergeant with the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, highlighted the advantages of the new vehicle, particularly its spacious interior. "The biggest advantage of the AMPV is the space it offers medics to move around patients," noted Proctor. The vehicle can accommodate four litter patients or six ambulatory patients, an improvement over its predecessor, the M113.

The brigade's medical units now operate the M1284 Medical Evacuation Vehicle (MEV) and the M1285 Medical Treatment Vehicle (MTV) variants of the AMPV. The AMPV offers a 78% increase in interior volume compared to the M113, as well as improved armor and speed capabilities. Its advanced radio system also enhances communication with troops in the field.

Equipped with various armaments, the AMPV can be fitted with M249 5.56mm machine guns, M240 7.62mm machine guns, M2 12.7mm machine guns, as well as MK-19 40mm automatic grenade launchers and 120mm mortars, offering considerable flexibility in firepower. Its all-welded aluminum structure and explosive reactive armor at the front and on each side of the hull provide robust protection against ballistic threats and explosions.

The vehicle is equipped with essential accessories for modern operations, including an NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) protection system, air conditioning, night vision, and a fire suppression system. These features ensure that the crew can operate effectively in hostile environments.

The AMPV improves the ability to shoot, move, and communicate. Medical platoons are now equipped with short-barrel M249 machine guns that can be used through the vehicle’s gunner hatch, providing defensive capabilities during patient transport.

2024 Association Reunion

I want to thank John Tabor and all the “helper bees” who put on a great reunion. At first, the challenges seemed insurmountable, but everything fell into place, and I had a fantastic time. The auction items were eclectic, and we reeled in $3200 to keep our Association solvent for another year. I’m looking forward to Short Round and Linn putting on a great reunion next year in Orlando, FL. I’ll update the times and the host hotel here and on Facebook as I receive them.

march/april saber article posted

The latest article about the 15th Medical Battalion in Vietnam is now available on this Web site under Informational/Historical Documents/Saber Articles. Mike Bodnar faithfully pens this article each month for the 1st Cavalry Division's Saber newspaper. We have back articles all the way to 1999. So if you're stuck indoors for a while, why not browse through the old articles - it's interesting reading.

Ft Campbell dedicates monument to
9 soldiers killed in Black Hawk crash

A year after the tragic event that rocked Fort Campbell, a new monument honoring the "Dustoff Nine" will be unveiled on Memorial Row at Fort Campbell on Thursday at 9 a.m. The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) is hosting a memorial dedication commemorating the nine fallen soldiers who lost their lives during a Black Hawk helicopter training mission last March. The dedication ceremony will be held for the families and friends of the nine lost servicemen and women. On March 29, 2023, nine Fort Campbell soldiers, nicknamed the "Dustoff Nine", were killed when two HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters collided during a routine medical training exercise using night vision goggles in Trigg County.

lost and missing members

It's been a few years since the Historian, and I asked for help finding lost members of the 15th Med Bn. We'd appreciate it if you'd go to our Missing Members page and see if you know the contact information for any listed. If you know the whereabouts of a missing member, please complete the update form by clicking the link above the table.

first SPC 5 Fujii Award

SSG. Janai Thomas, training management noncommissioned officer at 1-13th Aviation, received the award for embodying the traits of selfless service and dedication to fellow Soldiers that was exemplified on the battlefield by Specialist 5 Dennis M. Fujii, a Medal of Honor recipient and his distinguished service as a crew chief aboard a helicopter ambulance during rescue operations in Laos and the Republic of Vietnam in February of 1971. It's nice that our air ambulance heroics are kept alive through awards such as this and the medic, crew chief, and crew awards that presented by the DUSTOFF Association. If you're unfamiliar with the heroics of Fujii, please read more here.