RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) The last Vietnam helicopter pilot in the South Dakota National Guard has retired.

Colonel Dennis Miller of Rapid City has flown for 37 years in the military.

He was one of dozens of veteran pilots who returned from Vietnam and joined the South Dakota National Guard.

Miller logged 513 hours of combat flights in Vietnam and received 13 medals.

Returning to South Dakota after his Vietnam service, he went on to accumulate 4,700 hours in the air helping fight forest fires in the Black Hills and rescuing people during blizzards and ice storms.

For 40 years, the aviation section of the National Guard relied heavily on the skills and experience of seasoned pilots and crews that served in the Vietnam War.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 01-21-08 0658CST | save this article / add to your favorites list