Desert Medics

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 477^th Medical Company during Desert Storm and their story is told through a series of enlarged photos from personal collection of Duluthian and 477^th 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 477^th’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 477^th’s journey sounds a lot like that of another local unit—the 14^th 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 14^th Minnesota died of typhoid fever while serving than of anything else.

Desert training at Ft. McCoy during a snowstorm.

 On November 22, 1990, the 477^th 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 477^th 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 477^th 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 477^th 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 23^rd they flew back to Fr. McCoy. The 477^th 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 27^th.