Kelly D. Phillips
Sergeant, United States Army
May 3, 1968 – March 12, 1991
Age – 22
Pontiac, MI
Operation Desert Storm, Persian Gulf
36th Medical Detachment “Dustoff 33”, Ft. Polk, LA
Died when the medevac mission helicopter crashed in the desert while transporting two injured Iraqi soldiers.
On March 12, 1991, during Operation Desert Storm, a UH-60A helicopter transporting two injured Iraqi soldiers during a night medevac mission, crashed in the desert, claiming the lives of the four-man crew and the Iraqi wounded.
The helicopter and crew were assigned to the 36th Medical Detachment “Dustoff 33” at Fort Polk and included pilots 1st Lt. Joseph D. Maks and CW2 Patrick A. Donaldson, as well as crew members Sgt. Michael S. Smith and Sgt. Kelly D. Phillips.
“Dustoff aviators, crew chief and medics have to wake from a deep sleep at the sound of a buzzer, become immediately alert and ready to react to an incoming call for patient evacuation and are expected to launch to the point of injury in 15 minutes,” he said. Swinney said dustoff missions are dangerous for air crews, but they continue to perform their mission. “That is the legacy of heroism of which Dustoff Lieutenant Maks and his crew were a part: A unique mission, tied to unique architecture, honoring the heroic sacrifice of Fort Polk Soldiers,” Swinney said.
Retired 1st Sgt. Eloy Figeroa, the second guest speaker and platoon sergeant during Operation Desert Storm, said being part of the 36th Med Det when the crash occurred was difficult for the entire unit. “We were Family,” he said. “We were a small unit with a longing for all of us to return home, safe and sound. We were so close in getting there.”
Figeroa said in March 1991, the ground war was over and the unit preparing to go home. “But our Dustoff Angels were still out there, trying to save Soldiers’ lives,” he said. The 36th Med Det Family Support Group had paired single Soldiers with Families for the deployment. Figeroa said his Family had “adopted” Phillips. “My daughter was 7 at the time and still remembers sending him a Christmas package of candy and knick-knacks,” he said. “Sergeant Phillips kept his brand new Jeep in my backyard so my wife could go out periodically and keep the battery charged.”
Figeroa said his wife remembers a call from the casualty assistance officer to make arrangements to collect Phillips’ personal effects. “It was difficult for all of us,” he said. “I will carry the crew members of Dustoff 33 in my heart forever.”
He was remembered by a fellow soldier as follows:
Kelly was a Medic in the U.S. Army & worked with me in my Medical Clearing Company in southern Iraq. He made a decision on 12 March 1991 that saved my life, let me see my children grow to adulthood, & allowed me another 28 years of an amazing medical career. I want to express my profound gratitude to him & his family.
Thank you!
William (Bill) Hurley, MD