Comments

I was a helicopter CE/dooorgunner from Aug 1967 to Jan 1 1970. I have 2300 combat flying hours. I was assigned to the 170th Assault Helicopter Company. We flew more sorties than any other company. Since we were part of an aviation Brigade we had no troops of our own. We pretty much worked for SOG flying sorties into Cambodia, Laos, and North Vietnam. While spending my first tour in the slicks. a price paid to be able to crew a gunship for my next 2 tours. We were used as a medivac across the fence. Dust-off was not allowed to fly covert missions, so we became the medivacs and we were trained by our SOG medics to be able to handle any and all medical situations. We started iv's, used pressure to stop blood loss, and to treat and bandage wounds. We were in constant contact with blood and blood products. Often we were wounded or had cuts etc. ourselves while giving nationals and US personnel assistance. We had no gloves or protection of any kind. It is reasonable to assume a virus transfer under this and like circumstances. We often landed in the Kontum River and washed the blood and blood byproducts off our birds. At times the amount of blood made the river run red. One of my pilots remarked we should rename it the Red River. I am a relapser taking the Peg combo in my 10th month of treatment. I have advanced cirrhosis. The rate of HCV incidents in my company is much higher than even the high Vietnam averages. The VA, government needs to acknowledge that HCV is a 100% service connected disability, end of story. How long must the Vietnam Combat Vets keep taking it in the rear-end? Clear left, guns are hot! Jim Davies