Commending the United States Army dustoff crews of the Vietnam War.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Liz Guzmán and 1 co-sponsor

Virginia honors Vietnam War U.S. Army dustoff medevac crews for lifesaving missions and battlefield medical innovations.

Bill text as passed House (HR81ER)

What this bill is

Type: House Resolution (HR)

Topic: Commending the United States Army dustoff crews of the Vietnam War

Purpose: To recognize, honor, and commend the U.S. Army dustoff (medevac) crews of the Vietnam War for their service, life-saving actions, and contributions to the development of battlefield medicine.

Status: Passed the Virginia House of Delegates (as of the action history: HR81ER)

Passed engrossed by the House on February 16, 2026
Approved by voice vote in the House on February 16, 2026
Presented on February 6, 2026

Main purpose and intent

To formally commend the U.S. Army dustoff crews of the Vietnam War for:

Their exemplary service and life-saving actions
Their role in revolutionizing battlefield medicine through helicopter evacuations
The honor bestowed on them by receiving a Congressional Gold Medal in 2024

To express admiration and appreciation from the Virginia House of Delegates for the crews’ contributions to military medicine and morale during the Vietnam War and thereafter.

Key provisions and changes

Recognition of achievements:

Dustoff crews flew over 7,500 combat evacuation missions and evacuated more than 10,000 patients
They were inducted into the Dustoff Hall of Fame
The crews helped evacuate seriously wounded POWs and operated under combat conditions

Historical context and accomplishments cited:

Evolution of battlefield medevac from ancient to more modern practices
Development and use of the Huey helicopter in Vietnam
Major Charles Livingston Kelly’s leadership and innovations in rapid, near-immediate evacuation
The concept of “golden hour” and rapid medical care
Notable efficiency: some missions delivered patients to medical facilities in about 50 minutes on average

Social and ethical impact:

The crews’ dedication under fire, night operations, poor weather, and difficult terrain
Their service contributed to morale for ground troops and confidence for families at home
They also risked their lives to save civilians

Who/what would be affected

Affected party: United States Army dustoff crews of the Vietnam War (and their contribution to U.S. military medicine)

The action is ceremonial and symbolic:

The Clerk of the Virginia House is tasked with preparing a copy of the resolution for presentation to representatives of the dustoff crews
No regulatory or budgetary implications are described; the measure is a formal commendation

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and sponsors:

Introduced February 6, 2026
Primary patrons: Guzmán (co-sponsor) and Rasoul (co-sponsor)

Legislative actions:

Engrossed in the House on February 16, 2026
Passed by voice vote on February 16, 2026
Passed status reflected as HR81ER (engrossed resolution)

Next steps:

As a memorial/commendation resolution, it would typically not become statute law but serves as an official expression of the Virginia General Assembly’s appreciation. A copy is to be presented to the dustoff crews.

Bottom line

HR 81 is a ceremonial Virginia House resolution honoring the United States Army dustoff crews of the Vietnam War for their lifesaving helicopter evacuation work, their innovations in battlefield medicine, and their enduring legacy in military medical practice. It recognizes their valor, cites historical and technological contributions, and commends their service with a formal presentation to representatives of the crews.

Bill