This artifact is on loan from the San Diego Air and Space Museum, with whom we are proud to be officially affiliated and approved by the Smithsonian Institution. This affiliation allows us to share and display unique artifacts from different eras of air and space exploration. One such artifact from our partnership is a Korean War-era helicopter, which stands as a testament to the bravery of the medics and the resilience of the soldiers of that time. Unique features of the helicopter include litter covers on the sides. These were designed to prevent wounded soldiers, often unconscious and being airlifted from the battlefield, from falling out. If these soldiers regained consciousness during flight, the small window in the litter cover served as a reassurance that they were alive and on their way to medical aid. Accompanying this helicopter is a mural, illustrating what a mobile army surgical hospital would have looked like. These hospitals were a crucial component of the medical effort during the Korean War, providing immediate, lifesaving treatment to wounded soldiers close to the frontline. The helicopter and mural together paint a picture of the strenuous, yet crucial efforts made during times of war to save lives.
