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| Vietnam 1969 |
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Steve Vermillion, at age 20, served as an Aircraft Commander of an unarmed Dustoff Helicopter in Vietnam during 1969. He flew 1127 hours of combat time which comprised 1450 missions. Steve and his various crewmembers accounted for the rescue of 2210 soldiers. Steve continued his military career after returning from Vietnam serving first as an instructor pilot teaching instruments and Huey transition to Vietnamese pilots. He accepted a direct commission from Chief Warrant Officer 2 to First Lieutenant in armor branch.
During his 1969 combat tour, Steve was awarded the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Air Medal with 30 oak leaf clusters and "V" device for his accomplishments flying unarmed medical evacuation missions.
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With commission in hand, Steve headed for his first armor assignment with the 1st Infantry Division [M] at Fort Riley, Kansas. He served on division staff in the G-1 section before heading to 2d Battalion, 63 rd Armor where he was an assistant S-3 before commanding Combat Support Company for 14 months. Following a successful command, Steve was assigned to Fort Benning GA for the Infantry Officers Advanced Course. Back to an Aviation assignment was next in line. The AH-1G and AH-1S transition courses were completed enroute to Fort Ord, California. With C trp, 2d Squadron 10th Air Cavalry, Steve served at the Operations Officer, Executive Officer, UH-1 Instructor Pilot and UH-1 Standardization Instructor Pilot for the Installation. He served as the Squadron S3 and commanded B Trp for 24 months. The Army then reassigned him to Frankfurt Germany for four years where he served as the Chief of G3 Training and Chief Reforger 85 planning group. Back across the 'pond', Steve went to Fort Lewis, Washington serving initally as the Assistant Division Aviation Officer, then as the Deptuy G-3 before becoming the S3 and Executive Officer for the 1st Combat Infantry Brigade [Motorized]. Steve has the pleasure of being the only aviation branched officer in the Army to have served as an S3 or Executive Officer of a Motorized Infantry Brigade.
His final assignment was with the University of Washington Kinnear Husky Battalion where he served as the Professor of Military Science and Battalion Commander. Steve retired from active military service in 1993.
Steve and his family live in Puyallup Washington where he currently the President of Tsunami Enterprises [www.tsunamienterprises.net] .
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