HR 5939119th CongressIn Committee

USMC Helicopter Support in Vietnam Congressional Gold Medal Act

Introduced: Nov 7, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1] (D-North Carolina)

Defense & National SecurityVeterans Affairs

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This legislation authorizes awarding a Congressional Gold Medal to US Marines and Navy Corpsmen who served in helicopter support missions during the Vietnam War, recognizing their heroic service in troop transport, medical evacuations, and supply operations under extreme combat conditions between 1962 and 1975.

Key Points

1The bill specifically honors Medevac crews who conducted life-saving evacuations in hostile environments, often flying 'hell and back' missions with dedicated Navy Corpsmen volunteers.
2It documents extensive service statistics including 1.6 million sorties flown, 3.2 million troops transported, 338,000 tons of cargo delivered, and 189,000 medical evacuations performed.
3The legislation establishes protocols for medal presentation by congressional leadership and mandates permanent display at the National Museum of the United States Navy with provisions for temporary exhibits.

Impact Areas

Vietnam War veterans of Marine helicopter units and Navy CorpsmenFamilies of 845 helicopter crew members killed in serviceNational Museum of the United States Navy collections and exhibits

Generated by legislative-analyst-v3 on Nov 14, 2025