Vietnam Dustoff Crews Received Interim Gold Medal Honors
Veterans gathered in Oklahoma City for a special ceremony honoring U.S. Army air ambulance crews.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Awards
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Over 100 U.S. Army air ambulance crew members received recognition during an interim Congressional Gold Medal ceremony in Oklahoma City. The event honored the service of those who performed life-saving evacuations during the Vietnam War.
Why it matters
The Vietnam Dustoff Association organized the interim event to ensure veterans received their long-overdue recognition before a formal presentation takes place in Washington. Many recipients are elderly, and the association prioritized acknowledging their sacrifices immediately.
Dustoff and Medevac crews transported nearly 900,000 wounded personnel during their 11 years of service in Southeast Asia. These missions faced a perilous environment, resulting in an aircrew loss rate of approximately 30 percent.
The players
Paul Harpole
He is a former mayor of Amarillo who was recognized during the interim ceremony.
Ron Clark
He is a veteran who received recognition for his service as an air ambulance crew member.
Joe Biden
He is the current President of the United States who signed the legislation authorizing the medals.
Vietnam Dustoff Association
This organization represents air ambulance veterans and coordinated the Oklahoma City ceremony.
Joe Kline
He is the artist who designed the Congressional Gold Medal specifically for these veterans.
The details
Former Amarillo Mayor Paul Harpole and Ron Clark were among those honored at the ceremony held on September 22, 2026. The event featured the commemorative Congressional Gold Medal, which includes custom artwork designed by Joe Kline.
Timeline
1962-1973: Dustoff and Medevac crews conducted air ambulance evacuations in Southeast Asia.
2024: President Joe Biden signed the Congressional Gold Medal Act into law.
September 22, 2026: The interim recognition ceremony was held in Oklahoma City.
Culture Shift
This ceremony follows the formal legislative recognition provided by the Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2024. It reflects a broader societal shift toward prioritizing the timely honoring of aging military veterans before they pass away.
The ceremony highlights Oklahoma City's role in supporting national veteran initiatives and honoring historical military contributions. Local residents can participate in future commemorative events organized by regional veteran groups to support these servicemembers.
The takeaway
The interim ceremony highlights the importance of honoring military service while veterans are still able to participate. Implementing such events allows communities to provide meaningful closure to those who served in high-risk wartime environments.
Further reading
Learn more about local ceremonies and recognition at Awards.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KVII.
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