September-October 1975-page 06

3-Month-Old Child rescued

Recently, Richard Bettis, the 3-month-old son of U.S. Army Sgt Bettis, was brought to the 11th USAF hospital in U-Tapao, Thailand, suffering from pneumonia. The clinical diagnosis at the hospital was congestive heart failure due to decompensated cardiovascular status (stress of pneumonia and anemia). The medicine needed to treat this condition was not available at the hospital so a call went out to the 40th ARRS for an emergency medevac.

Det 12 responded with a helo and "Pedro" waited for the sick child. As soon as the boy was onboard the aircraft, Capt Russell J. Spahr, pilot, lifted the aircraft off toward Bangkok. Assisting Capt Spahr was 2nd Lt Kenneth H. Charfauros, copilot; TSgt Ronald K. Allen, first crewman; and Sgt John M. Coiro, second crewman. The doctor, Capt Louis Royal, also accompanied the child. When the helo landed at Don Muang, the tiny patient was transferred to a waiting ambulance. Dr. Royal and TSgt Allen accompanied the sick boy to Commit Hospital in Bangkok. After the mission had terminated, Dr. Royal notified the helo crew that they had saved the child's life.

last update : 31/12/2007