Dennis Hughes pointing out the Sven & Ole Bumber Sticker on his Ambulance. One of the 17 photographs used in our new exhibit - Desert Medics.
New Exhibit - Desert Medics
Recently Veterans Memorial Hall opened a new exhibit called
“Desert Medics.” This exhibit chronicles the story of the 477th
Medical Company during Desert Storm and their story is told through a series of
enlarged photos from personal collection of Duluthian and 477th Member
Dennis Hughes. It was researched
and designed by our Spring 2012 VMH interns: Kacey Kujala, Margie Nelson, and
Heather Thornberg.
What excites me about this exhibit is that it shines the
spotlight on one of our local Army Reserve units, a group that most don’t know
exists in our community. In addition, it tells the story of their mission
during Desert Storm, a war that has been overshadowed by the Global War on
Terror. In other words, Veterans’ Memorial Hall is recognizing and remembering
a piece of local history about which few are speaking and which could, as a
result, eventually be lost.
The story of the 477th’s role in Desert Storm is
also interesting because it is symbolic of the Persian Gulf War as a whole.
Hurry up—wait—the war is over—wait some more—go home. In fact, the 477th’s
journey sounds a lot like that of another local unit—the 14th
Minnesota Volunteer Infantry—that served in the Spanish American War. This unit,
also based out of Duluth, hurried off to train for the war, waited at Camp
Chickamauga, Georgia, and were never sent into battle. In fact, more men from
the 14th Minnesota died of typhoid fever while serving than of
anything else.
Desert training at Ft. McCoy during a snowstorm.
On November 22, 1990, the 477th were sent to Ft.
McCoy, Wisconsin, were they were given desert training during snowstorms. From
there they were sent to Saudi Arabia by plane, where they waited for the
arrival of their equipment and ambulances. Upon arrival, the group was warned
of the potential heavy casualties because of the potential use of chemical
weapons by the Iraqi government. That is why they procured buses, previously
used to transport pilgrims to Mecca, and converted them into makeshift ambulances.
They set up camp in Saudi Arabia and prepared to receive war wounded, including
those exposed to chemical weapons.
Converting a bus into an ambulance.
Thankfully, in the end, there were not the heavy causalities
or chemical warfare that were expected. The war itself was over in two months,
with the ground war lasting less than five days. The 477th were sent
into Kuwait shortly after the ground war was over. Members of the unit were
able to witness firsthand the devastation in Kuwait at the hands of the Iraqi
Army. The Kuwaiti people viewed the Americans as a liberating army.
Members of the 477th were sent to many different
parts of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia on individual ambulance runs. Many of their
missions brought them through the Highway of Death. Its gruesome nature left a
deep impression on the men and women of the unit.
Highway of Death Photos
The most common mission was not
the transport of US or Coalition forces but rather of Iraqi Enemy Prisoners of
War (EPWs), many of whom were civilians who had been pressed into service by
the Iraqi Army. In fact, transport of EPWs made up the vast majority of their
mission.
Transportation of Enemy Prisoners of War
The men and women of the 477th stayed in the Middle
East for several months. With the war over and tensions reduced, members found
creative ways to spend their free time. For instance, they built a swimming
pool.
Swimming Pool
In order to do so, they traded supplies with other units—such as an
ambulance for a water tanker, so they could refill the pool daily. Finally, in
May 1991, the unit was given orders to go back home, and on May 23rd
they flew back to Fr. McCoy. The 477th was able to arrive back in
Duluth by bus on Memorial Day, where they were greeted by throngs of citizens
welcoming them back and thanking them for their service overseas.
War is over!
So please come see the exhibit in person before it’s too
late. The exhibit will be on display at the Depot till July 27th.
