68th Theater Medical Command dedicates building in honor of Army medevac pilot
Theater Medical Command dedicated its headquarters building as the Lt. Col. Paul A.
Bloomquist Medical Hall after the late U.S Army Lt. Col. Paul Bloomquist, in a ceremony
on Sembach Kaserne, Germany, October 30, 2026.
Bloomquist born 94 years ago today in Utah was a distinguished United States Army
Medical Service Corps officer, combat aviator, and a pioneer of aeromedical evacuation
whose courage and devotion to wounded service members embodied the DUSTOFF
spirit. Bloomquist was killed in a terrorist bombing on the V Corps headquarters in
Frankfurt, Germany, on May 11, 1972 as he approached the nearby officer’s club.
Bloomquist was inducted posthumously into the DUSTOFF Hall of Fame on February
22, 2003. His Hall of Fame induction reads: “LTC Paul A. Bloomquist exemplified the
DUSTOFF spirit throughout his career. Spending nearly 35 months in Vietnam, he
earned 4 awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross (DSC), 37 Air Medals, and 3 Purple
Hearts. One DFC citation reports that even though he was wounded himself, he
continued flying for nearly 13 hours during which time he rescued many casualties
under heavy enemy fire. He was selected Army Aviator of the Year’ in 1964 and the
U.S. Chamber of Commerce honored him as and Outstanding Young American.
In addition to the DUSATOFF Hall of Fame, Bloomquist was also inducted into the Utah
Aviation Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Army Aviation Hall of Fame in 2015. Also, in June
1980, the United States Army installation at Ziegenberg, West Germany, which served
as the headquarters of the 68th Medical Group, was named Camp Paul Bloomquist in
his honor. While Bloomquist was not assigned to the 68th Medical Group, the naming
connected his legacy permanently to the organization and recognized his extraordinary
contributions to Army Medicine.
“We stand on the shoulders of giants, and knowing our history and the people who
came before us can inspire us. Going through the old photos of WWII, Vietnam, and
the Cold War was enlightening and inspiring and I hope it will show the current
members of the organization that we have an amazing history filled with courage and
sacrifice, that they have joined an organization with a rich history, and serving in this
organization matters and is bigger than themselves.” Said Command Sgt. Maj. Kyle
Brunell, 68 th TMC Command Sgt. Maj. Brunell went on to add that he hopes this
dedication fills all current and future members of the 68 th TMC with pride and what they
do matters.
Bloomquist was known for being fearless. Often not wearing a Flak vest during missions
and during his time as a battalion commander, he confronted the drug, racial and social
challenges affecting the Army during that period. His leadership helped redirect his
Soldiers’ efforts toward productive goals while maintaining discipline, cohesion, and
operational readiness.
Brig. Gen. Lance C. Raney, Commanding General, 68th Theater Medical Command
and Command Surgeon, U.S. Army Europe and Africa said “As you enter or pass
through these halls that now bear the Bloomquist name, take the time to recognize his
actions, his character, and his example. When you face a hard decision, when the
mission is demanding and the path forward is unclear, remember Paul and his peers
who faced uncertainty with courage and compassion.”
He remains an enduring example of mission-first leadership and an officer who placed
the lives of others above his own.
“To every Soldier and civilian in the 68 th and on Sembach, this building is now a
reminder of the standard. Live up to it. Paul, happy rebirthday, and welcome back to the
68 th team.” Said Raney.
Although his life and career ended far too soon, Bloomquist left an enduring legacy of
courage, selfless service, and dedication to the aeromedical evacuation mission.
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