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Under a bright blue sky and light winds and near perfect flying conditions the 68th 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, Oct. 30.
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, 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, 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, 68th TMC Command Sgt. Maj. Brunell went on to add that he hopes this dedication fills all current and future members of the 68th 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 socia 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 68th and on Sembach, this building is now a reminder of the standard. Live up to it. Paul, happy rebirthday, and welcome back to the 68th 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.
