"It saved many, many lives. We don't know how many, but we know it did save a lot of
lives, because if you can't get blood, you're going to die." (Audio Interview, 26:14)
|
Vance D. Funkhouser |
| Korean War, 1950-1953
Air Force
3rd Air Rescue Squadron
Korea
Staff Sergeant
IN
|
|
|
Vance Funkhouser's aptitude for mechanical devices served him well in the Air Force
during the Korean War. With helicopters being used for the first time to transport
wounded to MASH units, there was a need for the critically wounded to receive blood
plasma in transit. Because the litters were strapped outside the body of the aircraft,
Funkhouser came up with a device that snapped on to the litters, giving injured GIs
valuable in-flight treatment and earning him a Bronze Star. Funkhouser enjoyed the
democratic camaraderie in his rescue squadron, where officers didn't pull rank on the
enlisted men.
|
|