Angels with Rotors: The Early use of US Medical Evacuation Helicopters | Aviation

The use of helicopters at the end of World War Two for medical evacuations (MEDEVAC) proved the machine’s usefulness in getting into tight spots in isolated and rugged terrain, increasing the ability to provide prompt medical attention, and saving lives. Their use would increase and improve with each subsequent conflict the US military found itself involved in.

“You look like an angel!” said the downed American pilot Sgt. Murphy Hladovack to Lt. Harman. Harman had just landed his Sikorsky YR-4 service test model helicopter near a stricken Stinson L-1 liaison aircraft. Hladovack was flying three British casualties from the jungles of Burma in April 1944, when forced down in an isolated jungle location behind Japanese lines. With no way to reach the four downed men, Harman and his helicopter had been summoned to the scene.

The Japanese were aware the L-1 went down and were hunting the pilot and passengers. Time was of the essence, and there was no way to land a conventional aircraft in the area or to reach the stranded men on the ground with enemy troops infiltrating the area.

The helicopter had never been used for this type of operation before, and the YR-4 (later designated the R-4 service model) was a rather…