DUSTOFF
I wasn't familiar with this acronym until I discovered a coin among my silver pieces. Last year, after urging from my daughters, I retrieved my small collection from storage to determine whether I had additional pieces. It has been years since I looked at my storage container and hadn't fully documented all the coins.
Probably worth repeating is that my coin collection isn't worth a gold mine or thousands in currency. For me, they signify a special relationship and time in my life when I was an avid collector. If the coin was unusual or nice looking and contained a memorable inscription, I placed it on my must-have List.
In remembering this particular coin and how it came into my possession, the circumstances were vague. The coin is beautiful. The sentiment inscribed on it is also beautiful and heartfelt.
I didn't recall purchasing or ever being gifted one.
However, when I brought it to my husband's attention, he studied the coin for a few moments before remembering that a co-worker he'd known for over thirty years gave it to him before that co-worker retired. This particular co-worker had served in the U.S. Army.
The coin was delightful as well as the sentiment inscribed. Immediately, I could tell that it was a commemorative piece. I wondered why this co-worker saw fit to gift this unique coin.
It was not just any coin, but an award. Upon inspection, I noticed the words "DUST-OFF-HALL-OF-FAME-AWARD." This inscription is in a circular form at the bottom of the coin.
Before I go any further, I must confess that my skills in capturing details of images are seriously lacking. So bear with me.
FRONT
The front side of the coin features:
- the inductee's rank and name: Major Jimi Johnson;
- inscription underneath: SUPER MEDIC;
- photo in uniform;
- to the right side of his photo is inscribed: "For Valor and Heroism, Freedom Is Not Free";
- the bottom also in circular fashion is the name of the coin: DUST-OFF-HALL-OF-FAME AWARD.
BACK
The back side of the coin contains words in lovely detail that display a unique design, to signify the DUSTOFF Crew."
- In the center is the DUSTOFF Helicopter with the MEDEVAC Insignia;
- In circular fashion around the coin are the following inscriptions:
Above the helicopter
"First Person Of Color To Receive Such An Award" - Bottom inscription:
"Saving Over 2,000 Service Members and Civilians Within The Vietnam and Gulf War"
With the front and back information, I knew the coin highlighted the life of a distinguished and dedicated service member. I wanted to learn more about him and the work he accomplished. That's when I decided to research the concept and coin.
BACKGROUND OF "DUSTOFF" AND ITS COIN
DUSTOFF is the acronym for Dedicated Unhesitating Service To Our Fighting Forces. The term is also known as the Army Air Ambulance Unit and is reserved for men and women in the armed forces who risk their lives daily to save others while working as airlift pilots, medics, and part of their team. 1
The term "Dust Off" was coined in 1963. It refers to the dust that rose when helicopters took off and landed. The term became a code signal or call sign. Initially, the term specifically refers to the servicemen who served in the Vietnam War.
Joshua Skovlund of Task @ Purpose's Newsletter Group reported that the Dust Off Crew was known to possess unique skills and personal traits that made them highly successful in aeromedical evacuation on the battlefield. With only the desire to save their fellow servicemen, these helicopter air medics faced serious injury or death on each trip into unsecured landing zones to bring the wounded back to the medical hospital. Their service was known as the MEDEVAC (medical evacuations). These crews who served during the Vietnam War became known as the "Vietnam War Dustoff Crews" and later recognized as the forefathers of modern MEDEVAC. 2
I noticed in Task @ Purpose's newsletter that in late 2023, Sen. John Cornyn, Republican from Texas, proposed the bill, “Dustoff Crews of the Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act". Then President Joe Biden signed the bill into law on Sept. 26. The law encompasses all Dustoff crews, but specifically highlights the actions of the 54th and 57th Medical Detachments. 2
A surprising fact I learned from the Newsletter was that the Dustoff crews would evacuate civilians, enemy fighters, and all types of American and South Vietnamese military personnel, often going past the maximum weight limits. Their desire to help all who were in peril lead to them developing medical treatment models that paved the way for today’s medical capabilities in both military and civilian medicine. 2
In February, 1980, the DustOff Association was created. It's mission was to honor those military service members and their families.
The Vietnam Dustoff Association was created specifically for the Dustoff pilots and crew of the Vietnam War.
Now I was getting closer to the coin's reason for existence.
The DustOff Coin was created by The DustOff Association as a Challenge Coin. By that, I mean a unique metal issued for a specific milestone or achievement within the military or veterans' communities.
But it was one particular name that was of interest to me to see what that serviceman was challenged with since DustOff was on the front of the coin that was in my husband's possession.
The coin could only contain certain information. What I discovered was amazing accomplishments for a person to achieve, especially at that time period in U.S. history amid the civil rights climate and attitudes:
Jimi L. Johnson.
By now I knew that Houston, Texas native, Jimmy L. Johnson, saved lives. As a Dustoff medic in Vietnam, the Army soldier was reported to be the central member of a four-person crew. They flew unarmed into battle every day; on numerous occasions several times daily to rescue individuals hurt in the war. 3
According to Honor365.Org, Jimi L. Johnson flew 800 missions and is credited with saving more than 2,000 patients during his service with the 54th Medical Detachment Helicopter Ambulance Company during the Vietnam War.
He earned a Distinguished Flying Cross for his work in Vietnam, a military honor awarded for outstanding bravery demonstrated during aerial flight.
He is also the first African-American to be inducted into the Dustoff Hall of Fame. 3
It was a bit difficult to locate an abundance of information about Jimi's 54th Medical Detachment during the Vietnam War. Instead, focus is widely given to the 57th Detachment.
After the war, Johnson continued his studies to achieve a doctorate in public health nursing. With this degree, he began another distinguished career working in military hospitals around the world.
Among the pilots with whom Johnson flew was the now famous Major General Patrick Brady, who earned the Congressional of Medal Honor as a Dustoff pilot. 3
Designed by me in Canva with coin image in my possession.
Designed by me in Canva with coin image in my possession.
I was happy to have discovered the information I did and shared it with my husband, children and extended family.
My husband shared that the co-worker who gave him the coin stated that he'd never seen anyone so dedicated to helping their fellow co-workers to achieve success in their machinist and aerospace industry. He further stated that his friend often commended him for his help on the local union committee to ensure fair treatment, wages, and benefits for all the union members.
I asked my husband whether he knew the importance of the gift he received. He responded, "No. At the time, I was grateful he thought of me in that light," then graciously accepted the coin.
They remained friends even after his co-worker retired until his friend's passing several years ago. What an honor to be thought of in that way. But, that was my husband for forty years, helping others succeed in training, always emphasizing "safety first" for the workers in their plant.
When I told him the history of the DUSTOFF and the Hall-Of-Fame Coin, he smiled and sat staring at the coin for several minutes.
That his friend gifted him the coin for the first African American DUSTOFF member, he stated, "I'll always treasure it no matter the value."
Sources: See Below
SOURCES:
a) JustClickindiva's Footer created in Canva utilizing its free background and images used with permission from discord admins.
b) Unless otherwise noted, all photos taken by me with my (i) Samsung Galaxy 10" Tablet, (ii) Samsung Phone, & (iii) FUJI FinePix S3380 - 14 Mega Pixels Digital Camera
c) Purple Butterfly part of purchased set of Spiritual Clip Art for my Personal Use
d) All Community logos, banners, page dividers used with permission of Discord Channel admins.
e) Ladies of Hive banner used with permission of and in accordance with the admin's guidelines
f) Thumbnail Image created by me in Canva.
g) "Flames." What is Apophysis 2.09. https://flam3.com/
1 U.S. Army Pacific. Camp Humphreys DMZ Dustoff. July 1, 2022. Online at: https://www.usarpac.army.mil/Our-Story/Our-News/Article-Display/Article/3233761/camp-humphreys-dmz-dustoff/
2 "Forefathers of modern MEDEVAC crews flew through hell for their soldiers in Vietnam". Skovlund, Joshua. Task & Purpose. Published Nov 1, 2024. Online at: https://taskandpurpose.com/history/medevac-vietnam-war-congressional-gold-medal/)
3 Jimmy L. Johnson. Honor365.Org. Online at: https://honor365.org/pvt-jimmy-l-johnson/
If translation included, I use DeepL to assist my readers.
Thanks for your patience an understanding.