THE WALL OF FACES

than that man lay down his life for a friend."

Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

The 57th Medical Detachment was the first helicopter ambulance unit to use the UH-1 helicopter for aeromedical evacuation missions. The 57th deployed to Vietnam in 1962 and was the first to adopt the call sign “Dustoff” which became synonymous with Army aeromedical evacuation units. In 1964, MAJ Charles L. Kelly was the commanding officer of the 57th Medical Detachment. On the morning of July 1st, Kelly received a mission request from an Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) unit in contact with the enemy 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) south of Vinh Long Air Field in Vinh Long Province, RVN. A U.S. Special Forces sergeant, the ARVN advisor, had been hit in the leg by shrapnel from a mortar round. Several Vietnamese infantrymen were also wounded. The Viet Cong (VC) hugged the besieged unit and fighting continued as Kelly's UH-1B (#63-08591) came to a hover over the battle area. As he floated his ship back and forth trying to spot the casualties, the hovering helicopter drew VC fire as the ARVN soldiers and their American advisors stayed low. One advisor radioed Kelly to get out of the area to which he answered, "When I have your wounded." Multiple rounds hit his UH-1 before one passed through an open side door and pierced his heart. Kelly was heard to murmur "my God" before dying. The ship pitched up, nosed to the right, inverted, and impacted the ground. His crew, shaken but not seriously injured, crawled from the wreckage, dragging Kelly's body behind a mound of dirt. Medivac aircraft later evacuated them and the other casualties. Kelly was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, and the South Vietnam government conferred the Military Order Medal of Vietnam, National Order, Fifth Class, and the Cross of Gallantry with Palm. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, vhpa.org, “Dateline Vietnam,” Pacific Stars & Stripes, January 18, 1965, and “Dust Off: Army Aeromedical Evacuation in Vietnam” by Dorland and Nanney]

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. Your Distinguished Service Cross citation attests to your courage and devotion to your fellow soldiers. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever….

IN  REMEMBRANCE OF THIS
MOST HEROIC ARMY AVIATOR
WHOSE NAME SHALL LIVE FOREVER MORE

MAJOR

CHARLES LIVINGSTON KELLY


was  a  
posthumous  recipient 
 of  the  following  
military  decorations  
and  service  medals

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS

SILVER STAR

DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS

AIR MEDAL

BRONZE STAR MEDAL

ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL

PURPLE HEART with Oak Leaf Cluster

ARMY  COMMENDATION  MEDAL

ARMY  GOOD  CONDUCT  MEDAL

AMERICAN  CAMPAIGN  MEDAL

EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE  EASTERN  CAMPAIGN MEDAL

WORLD  WAR  II  VICTORY  MEDAL

ARMY  OF  OCCUPATION  MEDAL

NATIONAL  DEFENSE  SERVICE  MEDAL

ARMED  FORCES  EXPEDITIONARY  MEDAL

VIETNAM  SERVICE  MEDAL

REPUBLIC  OF  VIETNAM  CAMPAIGN  SERVICE  MEDAL

NATIONAL  ORDER  OF  VIETNAM,  FIFTH  CLASS

VIETNAM  GALLANTRY  CROSS  with  PALM


and in addition was

entitled to wear the


COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE

ARMY AVIATOR WINGS

ARMY COMBAT MEDIC BADGE

ARMY PARACHUTE WINGS


THE PROUD YOUNG VALOR THAT ROSE ABOVE THE MORTAL, 
AND THEN AT LAST WAS MORTAL AFTER ALL


YOU ARE  NOT  FORGOTTEN
NOR  SHALL  YOU  EVER  BE


R E M E M B R A N C E

Dear Major Charles Kelly, Thank you for your service as an Aviation Unit Commander (Pilot). Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. We are approaching Thanksgiving. The time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.