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Col. Gwendolyn O’Keefe presents retired Lt. Col. Susan Backs with the O2M3 Medallion during a ceremony on Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, June 4. The Order of Military Medical Merit (O2M3) is a prestigious U.S. Army private organization established in 1982 to recognize individuals who have made significant, sustained contributions to the Army Medical Department.
Susan Backs in Vietnam
Episode 3303 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the award presented to Vietnam Vet and Army nurse retired LTC Susan Backs.. The featured story is titled: Vietnam-Era Army Nurse honored with the Order of Military Medical Merit.. It appeared on the We are the DVIDS website and was submitted by Maria Christina Yager, a writer for the Munson Army Health Center Public Affairs Office..
Yager reported in his story that the story of retired Lt. Col. Susan Backs is a powerful reminder of the courage, dedication, and sacrifice displayed by Army nurses during the Vietnam War. Honored with the prestigious Order of Military Medical Merit at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Backs represents a generation of military medical professionals who served with extraordinary bravery under the most challenging conditions.
Joining the Army in 1970, Backs volunteered for duty in Vietnam and served at the 24th Evacuation Hospital, a major trauma center that received wounded soldiers directly from battlefield MEDEVAC helicopters. Unlike many medical personnel who remained within hospital facilities, Backs frequently flew into combat zones aboard helicopters and traveled to remote compounds to provide lifesaving care. Her willingness to go wherever she was needed exemplified the fearless spirit of Army nurses in Vietnam.
Army nurses were often the first line of medical care for wounded service members, working long hours under intense pressure while witnessing the horrors of war firsthand. Despite the dangers, they remained steadfast in their mission to save lives and comfort the injured. Susan Backs embodied these qualities throughout her 22-year Army career.
Even after retiring in 1992, Backs continued serving by mentoring others, preserving Army medical history, and educating future generations about the vital role Army nurses played during wartime. Her efforts have helped ensure that the contributions of military nurses are never forgotten.
The recognition of Lt. Col. Susan Backs highlights the greatness of all Army nurses who served in Vietnam. Their compassion, resilience, and unwavering commitment to duty saved countless lives and remain an inspiring chapter in the proud history of Army Medicine.
Listen to Episode 3303 and discover more about the award presented to Vietnam Vet and Army nurse retired LTC Susan Backs.
