57th Medical Detachment

57th MDHA, or Medical Detachment (Helicopter Ambulance) was a United States Army aeromedical evacuation unit during the Vietnam War. The detachment was the first to use the callsign "Dust Off."

Unit History

The 57th arrived in Nha Trang, Vietnam in April 1962 as part of the 8th Field Hospital. The unit's Commanding Officer was Cpt. John Temperelli, Jr. Because at that time the 57th's TO&E did not authorize a cook, Temperelli requisitioned a six month supply of C-rations. It would not be enough. The 57th served in Vietnam for the next eleven years.The unit adopted the name "the Originals" since they were the first Dustoff unit in the war. Major Charles Kelly took over the unit in January of 1964 and instituted a series of changes that transformed the role of Army Medical Evacuation in its entirety. His last action of commander of the 57th was to speak the phrase that is the motto of all Army Air Medical Companies to this day: "I'll leave when I have your wounded." Shortly after those last words, a single bullet ended his attempt to rescue a wounded soldier from a hot zone.

In January 2007, the 57th Medical Company was officially inactivated. The keynote speaker was Charles Kelly Jr., son of Major Charles Kelly.

Notable Pilots

* Charles L Kelly
* Patrick Henry Brady

References

cite book
last = Dorland
first = Peter
authorlink =
coauthors = Nanney, James
title = Dust Off: Army Aeromedical Evacuation in Vietnam
publisher = Center of Military History - United States Army
date = 1982
location = Washington, D.C.
url =
doi =
id =