OLYMPIA, Wash. — For most of 1971, Bothell’s Tom Agnew, a retired U.S. Army medic, flew in countless rescue missions in Vietnam.
He did not do it for recognition or awards.
“We did it for the troops that were there. ‘Not till they had their wounded,’ That was all of our mottos,” said Agnew, a member of the Dustoff rescue crews.
On September 24, 2024, President Joe Biden signed legislation awarding Dustoff crew members the highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal, for their “extraordinary heroism and lifesaving actions.”
From 1962 to 1973 the crews are credited with saving more than 900,000 wounded soldiers and civilians - Americans, Vietnamese, and allied forces - from battlefields in Vietnam.
As many as 3,400 service members qualify for the medal.
An estimated one-third were killed in action, and approximately 800 are still living, according to the Vietnam Dustoff Association.
Dustoff veterans, or family members of deceased crew members, are encouraged to contact VietnamDustoffgcm@gmail.com to receive the medal in approximately two years.
“This is a huge deal,” said Agnew, “This is the biggest deal in my life. I’m sure of it.”
Agnew said he has been reaching out to fellow veterans trying to spread the word about the recognition.
“It puts us in a place where we are very humbled and thankful for the nation to finally see what we did,” said Agnew.