Scope and Contents

Less than one-quarter linear foot of annual reports for U.S. Army medical units include annaul reports from the 55th Medical Group's air ambulance units for 1967: the Army Medical Service Activities Report for the 283rd Medical Detachment for 1967, and the Army Medical Service Activities Report for the 498th Medical Company for 1967 and 1968.

Biographical / Historical

Byron P. Howlett, Jr. was born on July 1st, 1929 in Charleston, Missouri. On November 26, 1951 he volunteered for the United States Army Medical Service Corps. He served for a little over 31 years. He was the commander of the 498th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) with operational control of the 283rd and the 54th Meical Detachment (Air Ambulance). He also served as an Aviation Staff Officer with the 55th Medical Group. Howlett was stationed in Nha Trang for one month and Lane Army Heliport for eleven months. He remained a LT.Colonel throughout his service in Southeast Asia. He served in Vietnam from July 1967 to July 1968. His units area of operation was all of I and II Corps Tactical Control Zones. He was involved in all major operations during the time period. Byron Howlett received the Silver Star for efforts in evacuating casualties from Hill 875 during the battle of Dak To. 15 Air Medals, Legion of Merit, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with a silver star, Korean In Hun Award, Presidential Unit Citation and Meritorius Unit Citation for the 498th Med. Co. (Air Amb) were some of his other awards. Howlett retired December 31, 1982 as a full bird Colonel. He currently belongs to the DUSTOFF Association. After the Army, he worked and served for various other positions including: the USAA, Bexar County Appraisal board, as well as many other boards.