Which helicopter was the first Army MEDEVAC helicopter?

The OH-13 helicopter, often referred to as the "Sioux," was the first Army MEDEVAC helicopter, playing a crucial role during the Korean War. Its design allowed for rapid transport of wounded soldiers from the battlefield to medical facilities, significantly improving the survival chances of those injured in combat. The OH-13’s ability to operate in varied terrains and its relatively compact size made it well-suited for MEDEVAC operations.

This helicopter was emblematic of the military's shift towards utilizing rotary-wing aircraft for medical evacuation, paving the way for future developments in this area as helicopters continued to evolve with more advanced capabilities. In contrast, while the UH-60 Black Hawk and the CH-47 Chinook are well-known for their roles in troop transport and logistics, they emerged later and were not the first dedicated MEDEVAC helicopters. The OH-58 Kiowa is primarily an observation and reconnaissance aircraft rather than a dedicated MEDEVAC platform.