#MondayMachines - Bell UH-1 Iroquois

You don't have to look too far when viewing photos or video of combat operations in Vietnam to see a Huey. They, as much as any other piece of equipment(possibly excluding individual weapons), defined the war in Vietnam. The Huey was used extensively, for a number of different mission types, including, general support, air assault, cargo transport, aeromedical evacuation(medevac), search and rescue, electronic warfare, and ground attack. It became an absolutely vital piece of equipment to those serving in the war, both on the ground, in the air and command structures.

I can think, off of the top of my head, at least two Medal of Honor actions that directly involved the Huey. Those of Bruce Crandall at LZ-Xray during the Ia Drang battle and of Rodney Yano of the 11th Armored Cavalary Regiment, Blackhorse Regiment, where he died but saved the lives of all but one on board the Huey he was on when a WP grenade exploded and started cooking off all the ammo on board. I'm sure there are other instances of this as well.

The Bell HU-1A, later re-designated the UH-1A, was first put into service by the Army's 101st Airborne Division at Ft. Campbell, the 82nd Airborne and the 57 Medical Detachment. The 57th's Hueys first arrived in Vietnam in March of 1962. They weren't retired from the Army's active service until 2005, 42 years later. Not a bad run for this storied machine. They have been used by other branches and many other countries in various roles through the years as well. There were over 40 variants produced and several over-all upgrades as well.

Just in Vietnam, over 7,000 were ushered into service. Of those, over 3,300 were destroyed. Almost 1,200 Huey pilots were killed along with over 1,100 crew. The lives saved by these men and machines is innumerable. For the most part, if you were injured, the sight of the "Dust Off" was very re-assuring and likely meant survival from your wounds.

For those that piloted the Huey. Your service is probably most revered by those on the ground waiting to hear those rotors coming. The pilots and crew were looked upon with a tremendous amount of respect and admiration. You were heroes to a lot of people. We can;t thank you enough.

To those who perished. We look at you the same way, only with great sadness because of the loss. Many great men were taken from us while flying in the Huey. Your memory lives on. We honor you and you hold a special place in the hearts of many.

The UH-1's importance, especially during Vietnam cannot be overstated. This chopper was the standard bearer for many years and everything that has come after it has drawn on it's design and influence in some way.