Entry: 65635
Subject: AGENT ORANGE
Manuel Hernandez wrote on May 16, 2008
City and State: PICO RIVERA CA
Unit: 7TH INFANTRY - CAMP CASEY
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: Agent Orange sprayed at Camp Casey and Camp Casey is considered in the DMZ.
Keywords: 7th Admin Records section
Entry: 65530
Subject: OPEN LETTER TO HELP OTHER VETERANS
Eric (Norm) Bernstein wrote on May 6, 2008
City and State: BELLEVUE WA
Unit: HHC 21ST DIRECT SUPPORT GROUP UIJONGBU KOREA 1968-
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: Letter with personal name references withheld for obvious reasons. If you need my help, email me at eric_bernstein@comcast.net
May 5, 2008
Re: Name Withheld
City Withheld
Service Number XXXXXXXXXX
Camp Red Cloud, Uijongbu, Korea
Subject: Letter of Corroboration to Korean Tour of Duty
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing this letter to support any and all conditions I experienced during my Korean tour of duty when serving in the United States Army with respect to the period 1968 through 1969.
I served in Korea from April 1968 through May 1969 stationed at the 38th Parallel Area of the DMZ - Camp Red Cloud (CRC), Uijongbu, Korea and was assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 21st Direct Support Group (HHC, 21st DSG) 8th Field Army Support Company, Camp Red Cloud, Uijongbu, Korea. As a former enlisted soldier, I was a Clerk Typist 71B30 and worked in the Headquarters Company, Security Plans and Operations (SPO) providing administrative duties to include and not limited to:
" Processing of NAC Background Security and update 201 files as needed for personnel requiring a Security Clearance.
" Preparing and processing the Daily Morning Report.
" Routine trips to Seoul, Korea transporting NAC documents.
" Decorated Driver with DRIVER-W Badge and Driver of the Year Award.
In addition to my daily assigned duties there was a duty roster where on a regular basis Guard Duty was performed. Furthermore, when North Korean Guerilla Infiltrators would cross the DMZ into South Korea the alert sirens would sound, passes would be revoked and on numerous occasions I personally had to lock and load for patrol to seek and engage the enemy. Regardless as to ones MOS, a GI in the US Army was a soldier first, issued an M-14 and expected to engage and defend the Constitution of the United States and uphold what every GI swore at the time of raising our right hand when inducted.
The North Korean infiltrations were frequent and the mission was to assassinate the Republic of Korea ROK President Park. Name may be misspelled. In addition to local patrols, a serviceman such as I were loaded up on a deuce and ½ and driven to areas further North and in closer proximity to the DMZ. Regardless of your MOS, a soldier was required to take offensive and defensive action in full combat gear to seek and engage. If a GI was a cook, clerk, Officer, NCO, no matter what, defense came first and you were armed and prepared to lose your life for YOUR country. Unless a person has served in the Armed Forces a person cannot understand this mindset no matter how it is explained.
During my Korean tour the USS Pueblo was seized and attacked and the crew taken prisoner by NORTH Korean Forces. While serving in Korea our aircraft was fired upon and one month prior to my PCS to Ft. Lewis, WA one of our planes was shot down by hostile fire once again placing everyone on alert and prepared for war.
Areas where I was stationed and patrolled was brown lacking life and only recently has the Department of Defense made public the use of Agent Orange, Agent Blue and other herbicides, plus only recently did I realize why the area looked as it did. The entire Uijongbu Valley had been sprayed and northward to include the actual DMZ. The elimination of foliage was the only way to prevent an enemy North Korean Infiltrator from seeking shelter. The area in and around Uijongbu, Korea lacked life as evidenced by this picture of Hill 468 taken in 1969:
While stationed in Uijongbu I had to sleep when required on bare dirt ground and on one occasion and documented in my medical records I began to have a skin and scalp problem - disorder of which I have been medically treating to this day and I have been plagued by this unknown skin disorder since 1968. Only recently I became aware of Agent Orange testing offered by the VA and I have completed my screening with finding posted in my medical records.
From first hand knowledge and from also being the recipient of, I was physically and mentally abused by my Senior NCOs for the simple fact I am Jewish. Prejudice was common place during my tour of duty. On at least two occasions and documented with my Department of Veteran Affairs file I was physically assaulted and abused by my direct supervisor First Sergeant Cox and Sgt. Russell C. Heide, HHC 21st DSG, SPO, CRC. Even if you were not a Jew, Black or other ethnic category and if a higher ranking NCO or Officer did not like you had a major prejudice problem with potential for physical and mental abuse.
Sanitation conditions were less than healthy. Candidly speaking, the conditions at CRC were disgusting to include open bay showers lacking privacy, open urinals and toilets with razors and toothbrushes in open bays for shared use by anyone needing a shave or wanting to brush their teeth, plus you had to walk to the bays in sweltering heat during the summer and freezing conditions during the winter, Monsoon conditions, or whatever the condition was, the bays were not close where you could simply get out of bed and casually go and take a shower and shave or whatever you had to do. So much is taken for granted by all of us now, but until you experience how is was in Korea during this Post Korean War time period life is difficult to imagine.
I realize now the open bay showers and compound area within the barb wire fence and outside were a laboratory for blood born disease. The surrounding areas contained rice patties where human waste was dumped from the outhouses directly into the fields as sanitation, or lack thereof, was the norm. Raw feces and sewerage was common in village dirt roads and on a daily basis every GI who served where I served was subjected to blood born disease. Rats and who knows what other rodents shared quarters. The Monsoons brought out millions of little green frogs and the insects were as though you were in Borneo with honey over your body saying, come sting and eat me. Looking back, Korea was a post Korean War cesspool and smelled of it.
The barracks or Quonset huts we were boarded in were what would now be considered medieval in nature. Metal half circular buildings the Army called home with oil burning stoves on each end lacking the sufficient punch or BTUs to warm winter temperatures reaching as low as -20 degrees below zero F. The smoldering hot, feces stench summer days where the temperature would be in the 90s and 100 degree plus range with only a fan to help a soldier from becoming sick. The conditions as I explained warranted general and daily issue of salt tablets and if I am not mistaken Malaria pills to treat or prevent disease.
I have some blank or black out periods in my memory where I have learned of hostile fire and engagements, but what I have provided I swear to and attest to as first hand knowledge and experience. For myself, I have been diagnosed with PTSD and attend on a regular basis Group therapy at the XXXXXXXXXXX Health Care System, XXXXXX, XXXXXXXXXX. The Clinical Psychologist heading our group is [NAME WITHHELD] and for a period of approximately three years prior I had twice weekend one on one sessions with Dr. [NAME WITHHELD] who is a Clinical Psychologist at the XXXXXXX Vet Center who has helped me tremendously come to terms with my Korean experiences.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at anytime. My apologies beforehand for any and all date, or time period errors contained in this letter. I am able to state categorically all the experiences stated are true and did occur. Individual guard duty, KP, abuse and alike were not and will not be documented in a GIs file. Documenting routine DMZ Patrol and events was common place and came with the turf. Unless there were extenuating circumstances, events such as I have attested to were typical day to day life events which were NOT documented in an individuals file and to believe or suggest they should have been is ludicrous and unreasonable.
Respectfully,
Eric Bernstein
Aka at the Time: SP4 Norm E. Bernstein
RAXXXXXXXXX
PO Box XXXXXX
XXXXXXXX, XX XXXXXXXXXXX
Keywords: Camp Red Cloud
Entry: 65525
Subject: AGENT ORANGE CAMP CASEY 1971
Jon Michael Lee wrote on May 6, 2008
City and State: MACON GA
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: I was a senior gunner on a vulcan tank our bat 8/61
arrived in korea april 71,we did most all of our training north of camp casey,not sure of exact date
but in summer 71 we had a tear gas mask test
and before i went thru myself and about 6 other guys
broke out in red rash all over and were sent to camp casey 2nd med and given something and told we must it
clear up.
in the first yr i was home 72 ,I had headaches and
fainting spells.
I have diabetes,heart disease,and have been disabled since july 2005,and have just known of AO in korea
and i'm going to file
Keywords: 2nd inf 8/61,71
Entry: 65370
Subject: AGENT ORANGE
Grant Jackson wrote on April 23, 2008
Email Update Needed
City and State: N.CHICAGO IL
Unit: 40TH ARMOR
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments:
Keywords: If anyone can remember mixing a white powder with water and pouring or spreding it a round the fence line of your coumpond, Then you were probaly using agent orange to kill the vegitation only certain units are recorded as being exsposed to agen orange but register in the agent orange registry any way. I got a double dose. Viet nam 69-70 and Recon Plt 1/38th Inf at CP. liberty bell 70-71
Entry: 65140
Subject: AGENT ORANGE IN KOREA
Clyde McKune wrote on April 8, 2008
Email Update Needed
City and State: BOURBONNAIS IL
Unit: HQ BTRY 7TH MSL BN 5TH ARTY 38TH ARTY BRIGADE
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: This is the first I have heard of agent orange being used in Korea. I was at Camp Page most of the time. I arrived there in Oct 1964 and left in May of 1966. No trees or brush at Camp Page, but did visit the tac sites from time to time Btrys A, B, C, and D. I have Type 2 diabetes, tinnitus, I have tingling/numbness in hands and feet..when I went to each tac site I was there for a 24 hour period. Were the tactical sites for Hawk missiles sprayed?
vincemckune@yahoo.com
Keywords: Camp Page
Entry: 65110
Subject: DIABETES AND AGENT ORANGE
Polmer Burke wrote on April 6, 2008
City and State: YELM WA
Unit: 271ST AVIATION CO., PEGUSES
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: I Served 3 tours in Korea: Osan AFB 1972-1973, performing maintenance on C-123 aircraft; Camp Humphrey, Korea 1984-1985, Served as Flight Platoon Sergeant/Flight Engineer while flying Ch-47C at tree top level (NAP of the Earth) along the DMZ using NVG; Camp Humphrey, Korea 1990-1991, 213th Black Cats, served as a Aviation production Controler and 1st Sgt.
I developed diabetes shortly after discharge in 1993 and have very visual dreams of being held POW. I am also very suspicious of people and do not trust easily, which has led to interpersonal problems at work. Iam now using insuline and have been on anti-anxiety meds at different times.
Would like to hear more about agent orange exposure in Korea.
Keywords: "Night Fighters Flight Platoon" Special Operations at 271st Aviation Company, Camp Humphrey, Korea
Entry: 64994
Subject: AO AND PARKINSON'S
James Carter wrote on March 30, 2008
Email Update Needed
City and State: BYRON GA
Unit: 600TH ENGR CO (MAINT) (DS) 63-64
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: First, I apologize to all for the two recent postings where I lomitted the body of the message. For those of you who may not have heard; studies by Stanford University and the Iowa Agricutural Study have indicated a link between agent orange and parkinson's disease. This is not a VA announcement but is a step forward. I am enclosing a link to the Military Veterans With Parkinson's web site for those interested.
Parkinsons Disease Linked to Agent Orange
See announcement at:
http://www.2ndbattalion94thartillery.com/Chas/ParkAnnouncement.htm
James
Keywords: Camp Jonathan Williams
Entry: 64990
Subject: CAMP CASEY KOREA
Samuel Scurlock wrote on March 30, 2008
City and State: GARDENA CA
Unit: CO C 1ST BN 17TH INF APO 7 EUSA
Service or Relationship: Other
Comments:
Keywords:
Entry: 64980
Subject: AO AND PARKINSON'S
James Carter wrote on March 29, 2008
Email Update Needed
City and State: BYRON GA
Unit: 600TH
Service or Relationship: Other
Comments:
Keywords:
Entry: 64926
Subject: UIJONGBU, KOREA 1968-1968
Eric (Norm) Bernstein wrote on March 25, 2008
City and State: BELLEVUE WA
Unit: HHC 21ST DIRECT SUPPORT GROUP UIJONGBU KOREA 1968-
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: My claim has been denied twice and now for my 2nd appeal after 5+ years remanded to Washington D.C. for disposition. So far VA basically denied all my experiences, DMZ Patrol, Agent Orange, North Korean Infiltrators, Skin Problems, PTSD and just about everything because they say, "Mr. Bernstein, you personnel file does not state you went out on patrol" and this and that sort of crap. Well BS to that.
And to make matters worse the people making the VA claim decisions are outsourced with a hidden agenda to save the goverment money and NOT grant compensation. A lot of these so called evaluators are young, never served a day and don't have a clue hoping you will just go away or die; but don't give up, you are not dead yet. I am still alive and will fight this to the end.
I vent my frustration at the VA Hospital during regular PTSD Group sessions. :-) And also now and right here.
Recently I have been to touch with others to corroborate what I have claimed and I am now submitting additional evidence; letters from others who served with me at Camp Red Cloud and in the same unit I was in. If you have not already filed a claim DO IT as it will take a long time, VA will screw with you, but hang in there. I am going on 6 years now and still being screwed with.
Eric aka at the time SP4 Norm Bernstein
eric_bernstein@comcast.net
Keywords: Camp Red Cloud HHC 21st DSG Uijongbu
Entry: 64907
Subject: I HAD 385 PATROLS INSIDE THE DMZ?
Mark Heathco wrote on March 24, 2008
City and State: MIDDLETOWN OH
Unit: 2ND INFANTRY DIVISION
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: I had 385 ambush and day recons patrols inside the DMZ most of them where done in a area called infultration alley just below GPO. I also had patrols out to the punch bowl, the dolphins head and the pagoda in the MOCHA A area we used GPO for our patrol base and it was our release point for our night ambushes. My question is I now have Diabeties, and ringing in my ears,I have been to six differnt doctor who all say I have PTSD, I can't sleep at night, I here things voices and see things that are not real I am now on medication for these problems should I inform the VA or should I make a claim for AO I really don't know what to do at this time. as far as the PTSD this started back in 1985 the diabeties just happened a year ago I served in Korea from 1978 to 1991 would I be effected still from AO? alot of my time was spent inside the DMZ doing patrols let me know what I can do for myself I really fell like I am bothering the VA with these problems if you can help email me back at dmzpatrolleader@yahoo.com looking for directions thanks alot.
Keep the faith brothers.
Keywords: I was in 38th tow company camp Howze/ 1/31st(M)INF camp Howze/ 1/17th(M)INF camp Casey/ 1/38th INF camp Hovey/ 3rd brigade camp Howze/ HHC 2X G-3/G-2. I also did a spell with the JSA all together the years add up to ten years from 1978 to 1991.
Entry: 64905
Subject: CAMP KAISER AO
Ray Schwarz wrote on March 24, 2008
City and State: PETALUMA CA
Unit: C -1/17
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: Suffering from Peripheral Neuropathy. Anyone else who served at Kaiser during 1967-1968? Have not filed a claim with VA but am being treated by VA.
Keywords:
Entry: 64831
Subject: OVERVIEW HEALTH
Overview Health wrote on March 21, 2008
City and State: NEW YORK NY
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Other
Comments: Health information on mens health and womens health,various health issues,health news on cheap health insurance, recipes like low fat recipes only on overviewhealth.com and
Keywords: health information,health issues,health news,health magazine,medical information,mens health,womens health,medical insurance,cheap health insurance,health insurance quotes,healthy recipes,low fat recipes,health consultants
Entry: 64654
Subject: I WAS EXPOSED TO AGENT ORANGE
Stanley McQueen SR. wrote on March 8, 2008
City and State: LILY KY
Unit: 38TH ARTILLERY BRIGADE 7TH BATTALION 2TH ARTILLERY
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: While serving along the dmz and walking guard duty along the dmz line, not knowing that just last year 1969 the south rock Army had sprayed agent orange all alone the dmz line. we who served on hawk missile sites were not told that any thing was sprayed along the line to knock out follage . since my service i have type 2 diabetes, and i had a tumor on my thyroid gland that come up in 1971 and it started out about the size of pee, and it grew threw the years and wraped itself around my thyroid and it took three operation hours for it to be removed in 1996, since my service in korea i come home with a rash that i have lived with a breaking out along my hair line and head and beared that comes up as a clear like fluid filled bump that after it is busted it spreads out and continues to spread elsewhere..i never found out to about three or four years ago that i had been exposed to agent orange, i come down with prostate trouble and have had it since my tour over in south korea..it is a shame that we were not told whathad been done along the dmz, and the topic of agent orange was never mention, because va didn't want it known..so i guess i will take these service related problems to my grave..i sign up for agent orange compensation and now i am waiting to hear from va desision, knowing that most likey i will be turned down
Keywords:
Entry: 64634
Subject: STEPHAN CRIFASI MSG. #64515
Phil Steward wrote on March 6, 2008
City and State: ROCK SPRING GA
Unit: 2ND ENGINEER BN, 2ND INFANTRY DIVISION
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: Reply To Message 64515
Stephan - your email address returned this message. Please read below.
From: Phil Steward, Captain (former) CO, E Co., 2nd Engr
Email: pesteward@hotmail.com
Subject: Your message at KWP
Stephan - Please contact me at this e-mail pesteward@hotmail.com. Tell me what medical issues you have and have you filed a claim? I have contact with several other former Artillery, and with on from the same period as you at Camp St. Barbara.
I will see if I can hook you up with them and I will do what I can to help you.
I am working on assembling a binder of statements and documents to present to several Senators and Congressmen in Washington to try to get help the all vets who served in Korea Since 1965.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Phil Steward, Captain (former), CO, Co. E, 2nd Engineer BN, 2nd Infantry Division Oct. 1968 - Dec. 1969
Keywords:
Entry: 64545
Subject: EXPOSED TO AO AT CAMP CASEY
Nathan Howell wrote on March 1, 2008
Email Update Needed
City and State: CLEVELAND TN
Unit: 65TH MEDICAL GROUP HEADQUARTERS
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: I was assigned as an Army Records Inspector on the I.G. Inspection Team in early 1970, with required my travel to various army posts in South Korea. I traveled to Camp Casey (near the DMZ) and believe I was exposed to residuals from agent orange used in that area. I have been diagnosed in Oct of 2007 as having Non Hogkins Lymphoma and heart disease (HOKM).
I am trying to contact other GI's who were stationed
at Camp Casey from 1969 and after or who (like myself) were briefly exposed by being on the premises.I am particularly interested in contacting those who think they were exposed after 1970.
Keywords: Kent Ellert, Joseph Menard, who worked in Personnell Division of 65th Med. Group in 1969 and 1970.
Entry: 64544
Subject: EXPOSED TO AO AT CAMP CASEY
Nathan Howell wrote on March 1, 2008
Email Update Needed
City and State: CLEVELAND TN
Unit: 65TH MEDICAL GROUP HEADQUARTERS
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: I was assigned as an Army Records Inspector on the I.G. Inspection Team in early 1970, with required my travel to various army posts in South Korea. I traveled to Camp Casey (near the DMZ) and believe I was exposed to residuals from agent orange used in that area. I have been diagnosed in Oct of 2007 as having Non Hogkins Lymphoma and heart disease (HOKM).
I am trying to contact other GI's who were stationed
at Camp Casey from 1969 and after or who (like myself) were briefly exposed by being on the premises.I am particularly interested in contacting those who think they were exposed after 1970.
Keywords: Kent Ellert, Joseph Menard, who worked in Personnell Division of 65th Med. Group in 1969 and 1970.
Entry: 64515
Subject: AGENT ORANGE
Stephan Crifasi wrote on February 28, 2008
City and State: STERLING HTS MI
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: I was at a VA Hosp. Not No Help there just say put your name on a list. would like a Doc. to see me.
Keywords: DMZ 1968-69 I was at Camp Santa Barbara 1st 25th arty tab.
Entry: 64497
Subject: DMZ AGENT ORANGE
Deb M. wrote on February 27, 2008
Email Update Needed
City and State:
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: Here are two documents I have found. I don't understand why all Military Korean DMZ Veterans who claim they have agent orange have such a hard time getting their benefits for agent orange. When you read the second article it will tell you how long the agent orange last, so why don't all men, especially those who served after 68 and 69, don't have their agent orange benefits.
VA RECOGNIZES AGENT ORANGE USED IN KOREA
During the March 2003 VSCM call, we provided information regarding the use of Agent Orange in Korea along the DMZ, including the units in the area during the period in which Agent Orange was sprayed. DoD has provided a correction to two of the cited units. Previously reported as the 109th and 209th Infantry, those units were actually the 1/9th and 2/9th Infantry. A corrected listing of units follows:
The four combat brigades of the 2nd Infantry Division:
1-38 Infantry
2-38 Infantry
1-23 Infantry
2-23 Infantry
3-23 Infantry
3-32 Infantry
1-9 Infantry
2-9 Infantry
1-72 Armor
2-72 Armor
4-7th Cavalry
3rd Brigade of the 7th Infantry Division:
1-17th Infantry
2-17th Infantry
1-73rd Armor
2-10th Cavalry
If you receive a claim from a veteran who alleges service at the DMZ during the period April 1968 to July 1969, and who was assigned to one of the above units, please concede exposure to herbicides. Therefore, there is no need to contact C and P Service in these cases.
For all other claims of herbicide exposure, ask the claimant for a detailed description of the exposure, including the location, approximate date(s) and nature of the exposure. You should also ask the claimant for proof of exposure, such as "buddy" statements, photographs taken during service or letters written during service. Once the detailed exposure information is obtained and there is no evidence of exposure, provide this information to Cheryl Konieczny via email. We will then consult DoD's Agent Orange listing of use, test and disposal of Agent Orange.
2.
109th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2914
To recognize and honor the soldiers of the United States and the Republic of Korea who served, were wounded, or were killed from 1953 until the present in the defense of the Republic of Korea, to require the placement of a commemorative plaque at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and for other purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 19, 2006
Mr. DEWINE introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A BILL
To recognize and honor the soldiers of the United States and the Republic of Korea who served, were wounded, or were killed from 1953 until the present in the defense of the Republic of Korea, to require the placement of a commemorative plaque at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `DMZ War Veterans Recognition Act of 2006'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) the Korean War, which began in 1950 and ended when the Korean War Armistice was signed in 1953, is commonly known as the `Forgotten War';
(2) a later war in Korea, known only to some veterans and their families as the `Unknown War' or the `DMZ War', occurred long after the Korean War Armistice was signed in 1953;
(3) according to military documents, the leadership of North Korea issued a declaration of war against the United States in a speech in 1966, which read that `U.S. imperialists should be dealt blows and their forces dispersed to the maximum in Asia. . . .';
(4) the 124th Special Forces unit of North Korea--
(A) was trained--
(i) to destroy the camps and civilians of the United States;
(ii) to disrupt travel and communication between the Armed Forces; and
(iii) to sabotage and assassinate the government officials of South Korea and the United States; and
(B) repeatedly confronted the soldiers of the United States and the Republic of Korea when crossing through the Demilitarized Zone;
(5) since the Armistice was signed, over 40,000 Armistice violations have occurred, many of which involved troops of the United States who were stationed in and around Korea;
(6) some of those violations, like the capture of the USS Pueblo, caught the attention of the media, although most have not;
(7) since the end of the Korean War, many soldiers of the United States have died or been wounded in Korea as a result of hostile fire;
(8) some veterans of the Republic of Korea suffer from exposure to Agent Orange, which was used during a period that began in 1968 and ended in 1969 in and around the DMZ;
(9) because the hazardous properties of Agent Orange last for at least 100 years, soldiers of the United States who later served in the Demilitarized Zone had been exposed to the chemical long after the Armed Forces stopped using it;
(10) the military personnel of the United States who served in the Korean War during the period that began in 1966 and ended in 1969 received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; and
(11) a few of the soldiers who fought and died in the Korean War have been--
(A) nominated posthumously for the Congressional Medal of Honor; and
(B) awarded--
(i) the Silver Star or Bronze Star for valor in combat; and
(ii) the Purple Heart for being wounded in combat.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
(a) Plaque- The term `plaque' means the plaque directed to be placed at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. under section 4(a).
(b) Secretary- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service.
SEC. 4. PLACEMENT OF COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE.
Not later than November 11, 2009, the Secretary shall place on or near the grounds of the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., a plaque to commemorate the sacrifices of those who served, were wounded, or were killed from 1953 until the present in the defense of the Republic of Korea, that contains the following inscription (in which the bracketed space shall include the date on which the plaque is placed): `Dedicated to the soldiers of the United States and the Republic of Korea who served, were wounded, or were killed from 1953 until the present in the defense of the Republic of Korea. The efforts of those soldiers have enabled the Republic of Korea to develop into a successful and modern country. Since 1953, the Armed Forces of the United States experienced more than 40,000 `Armistice violation incidents.' Those incidents have caused the deaths of over 100 soldiers of the Armed Forces of the United States and the wounding of hundreds more from hostile fire in the Korean Peninsula and its surrounding waters. Unknown to most citizens, the soldiers of the United States and the Republic of Korea fought and won the `DMZ War' between November 1966 and December 1969. That war caused the majority of the Armistice casualties. We remember the service, sacrifice, and valor of all of those soldiers on this 40th anniversary of the start of the DMZ War. Their fellow soldiers and their families will never forget them. Let this Plaque aid their countries to remember them as well. Placed this day, [XXXXXXXXXX].'.
END
Keywords: DMZ Korea, Agent Orange
Entry: 64329
Subject: OVER 50 YEAYS WITH A RASH ON MY SKIN
Luther H. Pettypool wrote on February 16, 2008
City and State: QUINLAN MO
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: I hope I may help another Korean Vet. i read notes from DMZ vets. suffering from asian orange that were used in Korea during and after the war.I spent a tour of duty in Korea in 53 and 54 i had an ankle sprung from a mine being stepped on in a tunnel and the tun-nel caved in killing the two that were with me.the only record of this incident was a simple statement saying I was treated on so and so date. I don't have my copy of that statement. I sent it to the veterans affairs trying to get service connected on PTS and like all my records that were destroyed in a fire it is now lost. I was told after screening for PTS that I should apply for service connected. turned down let that be!when I was treated for the ankle that was bruised to above my knee and I also had some kind of a rash. The doctor told me he was more concerned with the rash than the ankle, he gave me some medication and a note saying I was to be on light duty for two weeks and that was it. The rash has ben with me for well over 50 years the hide on the bottom of my feet wold peel off, then after several years my feet was ok but the shin on one side did the same thang. the rash has moved from one part of my body to another every since i left Korea. I have never ask to be treated for it, just lived with it! I just want it to be known these problems do exist in us Korean Vets.
Keywords: kcz
Entry: 64187
Subject: BUDDIES AT CAMP MCINTYRE IN 1968-1969
Carlos (Charles) Frausto wrote on February 6, 2008
Email Update Needed
City and State: HOBBS NM
Unit: CAMP MCINTRYE, HQ.BTRY.1ST. 17TH. ARTILLERY
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: I have been diagnosed to have Diabetes type2 and Thyroid Gland failure. I have info for possible Agent Orange that was spread on Camp McIntrye during 1968 thru 1969.
Keywords: Need to contact Buddies that were at Camp McIntyre,1st.17th Artillery in 1968 thru 1969. Dwight Morphew,Trover,Estes or anyone that was with me in1968 thru 1969.
Entry: 63986
Subject: A CO 2D ENGR BN 2D INF DIV CAMP WAGNER
Bernie Marvin SR. wrote on January 23, 2008
City and State: CEDAR SPRINGS MI
Unit: A CO 2D ENGR 2D INF DIV
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: Looking for any or all people who served with me from April of 68 to August of 69.
Keywords: Freedom Bridge, Camp Wagner, RC3, DMZ, Agent Orange
Entry: 63930
Subject: DMZ 1976-77
Edwin Siebers wrote on January 20, 2008
Email Update Needed
City and State: HUDSON CO
Unit: 117TH AVN ASSAULT HELICOPTER
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: started in 1-2000 have most of the illnesses like #1 P/N #2 D type 2 #3 ringing in ears #4 PTSD and am still waiting. Was helicopter crew chief and flew and landed up along the DMZ was told that this was not due to AO but there is no other way also was there 1972-74 with D battery 4/44 ADA
Keywords: big bird remember salt and pepper
Entry: 63903
Subject: LOOKING FOR 2ND ENGINEERS 1967 TO 1970
Phil Steward wrote on January 19, 2008
City and State: ROCK SPRING GA
Unit: 2ND ENGINEER BN, 2ND INFANTRY DIVISION
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: Please contact me. I am looking for any and all former members of the 2nd Engineer Battalion from any Company who served in Korea at any time in 1967 thru 1970.
Several of your brothers are still fighting the effects of our time in Korea. We need photos, copies of Combat Pay orders, statements of duties of the 2nd Engineers who worked in and along the DMZ or who were in my Company, E Company (Float Bridge).
Right now I am working with several guys from 2nd Engineer Battalion who have multiple health issues as a direct result of exposure to Agent Orange. Yes guys, that stuff sprayed along the fence, around the guard towers and the Guard Posts and Out Posts we were building was the infamous Agent Orange. The stuff sprayed along the roads inside the Zone and around the bridgeheads at Freedom, Libby and the Spoonbill Bridges was Agent Orange. The stuff sprayed around our compounds to kill the brush and weeds was Agent Orange.
Even if you have not had any symtoms, like Diabetes, heart problems, a variety of different cancers, or any other health issues, we need to hear from you. And if you are fighting or have faught with VA for care and compensation for these health problems, we need to hear from you. And most importantly, if you had children conceived after your return from Korea who were born with birth defects, we need to hear from you. If you have been successful in winning a claim filed for Agent Orange poisoning or PTSD as a result of your service in Korea, it is very important for you to contact me.
Even though I am just a former Captain and Company Commander, I made a promise 40 years ago to stand up for my men and to back them in anything as long as they did what the officers and NCOs asked them to do. I take that promise very seriously and now, 40 years later, I will continue to back and stand up for our men. It is very important that I hear from you as soon as possible. For many of your brothers, the time could be very short, but they have families who will need help even if it is too late for the men themselves.
If you can and will help, please contact me at my email: pesteward@hotmail.com, or call me at (706) 996 - 4057.
Thank you.
Phil Steward (formerly known as the California Kid or Jeb to some)
Keywords: Imjin River, Spoonbill Bridge, River Police, River Patrol Boats, Camp Ethan Allen, Artillery Valley, Camp Peterson, DMZ, Barrier Fence, Minefields, Rome Plows, LTC Huber, 1stSGT Carl Ivey, Bridge truck fire at Spoonbill, 2nd Engineer, Camp Ethan Allen,Guard Posts, Out Posts, DMZ Ambush October 1969
Entry: 63901
Subject: AGENT ORANGE KOREA 1962
Joseph Wayne (Skinny) Dunagan wrote on January 19, 2008
City and State: PENDLETON OR
Unit: HQ.HQ. SEOUL- GHOST WALKERS
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: I was in Korea from May 1962 until March 1964 and in August of 1962 I saw a plane spraying defoliant on a hill side. The spray drifted over a rice paddy and killed it. The American Government paid to have new soil hauled in,the rice replanted and gave that village more rice to eat until that crop was ready to harvest. I also know that when I was on the 38th as an observer when I first went to Korea in May of '62 the North Koreans open fire in a Navy Bomber that was spraying the 38th with defoliant. My squad returned fire and saved the Navy plane from being shot down. I am looking for others who were in Korea at that time and rmember that incident on the DMZ.
Keywords: Lt. Johansson Aka Swede Editor Note: Agent Orange Key
Entry: 63830
Subject: AGENT ORANGE
Douglas Byram SR. wrote on January 15, 2008
City and State: EASTPOINTE MI
Unit: HQ,HQ 1/72 ARMOR
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: I was just tested to see if I am a diabetic,( this is about the sixth time ) and the doctor said I was not. So even though I have Peripheral Neuropathy and VA confirmed this, I cannot get help from VA. Is there any other way to prove it was from AO?
Keywords: Agent Orange
Entry: 63823
Subject: AO CAMP KAISER 67-68
Donnie L. Harmon wrote on January 14, 2008
City and State: JOHNSON CITY TN
Unit: 17TH LST BN CO A KAISER
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: AO appeal for cancer, neuropathy, thyroid, diabetes, hearing loss, depression, PTSD and multiple other diseases for which VA says no exposure to AO in 12/66-2/68.
Appreciate website and contact with anyone else having similar issues. Also, would like contact with friends serving at Camp Kaiser '67.
Need to contact someone who was at Camp Kaiser Korea 1966-2/1968. 7th 17th 1st BTN Co A. North of Camp Casey. We were farther north than
Casey into the mountains and supposed to have been the northern most post. DOD and VA denying spray before 4/1968. Saw it being hand sprayed at Kaiser. Have Dept Army report of spraying in 1967. This report was experimentation and evaluation to determine results and cost by ROK who purchased chemicals and began spraying in Spring 1968.
Operated patrols across south tape up to DMZ, crossed the river and guarded Hawk missile sites. Could look over into North Korea with DMZ
below about 6 km. Also, squad leader and track commander. Secured any construction sites and was attached to Casey when NK where in area as
additional security. Firefights and remember one incident but not sure where it took place.
Have sent photos, copies of letters, buddy statement. Have many health issues related to exposure. Cancer, diabetes and neuropathy still
denying because of one year exposure rule.
Letter from Drs. "likely as not" caused cancer. One Dr statement states consistent with exposure
to toxins. Everything being denied because only conceding to April 1968 date. My unit is listed as unit exposed on April 1968 list.
I left 2/20/1968 and my guys were taking heavy fire on the DMZ that day.
Thanks for any info you can provide.
Don Harmon
Keywords: Sgt Harmon, Warner Fusselle, APC driver Herrman, Ronnie Kitchens. Camp Kaiser
Entry: 63749
Subject: AGENT ORANGE REGISTRY
Bill Mclean wrote on January 9, 2008
City and State: WALPOLE MA
Unit: 7TH DIVISION 2/31ST INFANTRY ALPHA CO.
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: Ted and Hal, Just want to say thanks for all you have done for ALL korean veterans. All dmz veterans should be persistent with their health claims and the registry will help with that. Thank you
Keywords:
Entry: 63701
Subject: KOREA 68-69
Douglas Byram SR. wrote on January 6, 2008
City and State: EASTPOINTE MI
Unit: HQ-HQ, 1ST BN. 72 ARMOR
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: I served in Korea from March 68 to May 69. I went to the VA for an Agent Orange related problem that I have. I have peripheral Neuropathy but because I do not have any of the listed illnesses, I was turned down. I also mentioned about a back problem I have had sense leaving Korea. I hurt my back during a PT exercise but because the Doctor, at the time, could not find anything on the xray, VA turned me down. It took damn near 30 yrs to find the problem and it was an SI joint that kept slipping in and out and not is out for good, also the other side now. They did a special test to find it, I found a good doctor that knew what to look for.
Anyway I read on here about some type of medal for serving over in Korea durning that period. Can anyone tell me where to look for info on that medal?
Thank you all for serving in that Forgotten country and durning that time.
Keywords: Agent Orange
Entry: 63688
Subject: AGENT ORANGE KOREA
Robert L.A. (Bob) Haynes wrote on January 5, 2008
City and State: MCHENRY IL
Unit: HHC 1/23RD. INF. 2 ID
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: I have been diagnosed with AO illnesses and have been approved for benefits and compensation.
Type II Diabetes
Peripheral Neuropathy (both hands and both feet)
Tinnitus
ED
PTSD
Keywords: Camp Young Korea, north of the Imjin River. Near Hill 191. HHC 1/23rd. Inf. 2 ID 1966-67. Imjin Scout!
Entry: 63682
Subject: A-2ND-71ST 38B HAWK MISSLE/AO
Dale Elliott wrote on January 4, 2008
Email Update Needed
City and State:
Unit: A-2-71ST ARTY KIMPO - OP
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: AGENT ORANGE was sprayed by william kenny(sp-4 supply nco) in april of 68 see his info in the korean project like page 150 or so upward in the file
Keywords: SUPERSKINNY/ FLINT
Entry: 63630
Subject: ORANGED
Karl (Rosey) Roenfanz wrote on December 30, 2007
Email Update Needed
City and State: EVANSVILLE IN
Unit: CO C 802ND ENGR
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: co c 802 went around building stuff, now my grand baby has birth defects, son has sore joints and skin problems, i've had multiple problems.
Keywords: bunker and bridge
Entry: 63599
Subject: AGENT ORANGE REGISTRY OPENS
Hal Barker wrote on December 28, 2007
City and State: DALLAS TX
Unit: KOREAN WAR PROJECT EDITOR
Service or Relationship: Interested Person
Comments: We have now opened the Korean War Project Agent Orange Registry.
It is open for access to all persons who may have been exposed to Agent Orange, all persons with questions about Agent Orange.
We are creating a Google Earth presentation of physical locations of known exposure, probable exposure, and locations of camps and bases where exposure may have occurred.
This is a group effort and feel free to post your own websites and information.
Ted and Hal Barker - Korean War Project
Keywords: Agent Orange, DMZ, Republic of Korea Agent Orange, United States Forces Korea
Entry: 49775
Subject: CAMP CASEY 67-68 AGENT ORANGE Q
Harold Mizner wrote on March 25, 2005
City and State:
Unit: 7TH INFANTRY DIVISION
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran - Korea
Comments: I am seeking info on agent orange used in camp casey.
Keywords: Aagent orange - camp casey - 1968-1969