Posted on Mar 3, 2016
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He is a Marine and needs to get confirmation from shipmates of his service on board. Anyone advise us where to start? I was in country while he was aboard ship. I appear on the agent Orange registry but he does not. Yet!
Posted in these groups: 
Vietnam War
Agent Orange
Vietnam War Agent Orange
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 6
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What a thing to ask someone to do, locate and get statements? from people he served with 40 some years ago and not been in contact with since? Would service records which show a person stationed on a particular ship for a period of time and in what capacity be acceptable. Sometimes a ship or unit will have a webpage in this day and age. Some of the units I was in actually do have a website and I found they hold reunions from time to time. What are the criteria for making an AO claim? At one time I read the gvt had finally come out with a list of conditions related to AO exposure. Does a SM have to prove he breathed it in or took a bath in it to file a claim?
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Capt Tom Brown
CW4 Dan Cady - Ran across this article while surfing the net. Don't know how much it will interest y ou, but might give some insights to what others are going through and what they are doing. Many are going to extreme lengths to prove they are even eligible to apply for benefits for conditions which result from AO exposure. Sad indeed that our own gvt is making it so difficult for SMs. Sounds more like treatment expected of the enemy not our own people.
http://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/ailing-vietnam-vets-hunt-through-ships-logs-to-prove-they-should-get-benefits-1.397599
http://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/ailing-vietnam-vets-hunt-through-ships-logs-to-prove-they-should-get-benefits-1.397599
Ailing Vietnam vets hunt through ships’ logs to prove they should get benefits
Neither the Navy nor the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has a comprehensive list of which ships went where during the Vietnam War. As a result, veterans themselves often have to prove their ships served in areas where Agent Orange was sprayed.
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Update: The local VA had a March 29th welcome home gathering for VN Vets and it included the opportunity for Vets to file claims. Took brother and all the evidence we had to the assembly. The DAV representative that was there to assist in claims took him under his wing and advocated for his claim. They assisted in filling out the paperwork and guiding the claim to the processors present. My brother was awarded 80% disability for his Parkinson's related to exposure to AO. Whole process was in less than 4 hours. Thanks for all your help and advice. Maybe things are really getting better at least with our VA folks.
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Maybe. But the VA has produced a list of Blue Water ships that currently qualify for AO designation. I was out there in the Gulf at the exact same time. Yet, my ship is not listed because we never came within so many miles of the coastline or whatever the VA uses to "qualify" a Blue Water ship as an AO designated vessel. The list is easily accessible through the VA's website. BUT, when all else fails, go to his county's Veteran's Service Office, and get the paperwork started. His DD-214 will show where and when he had been. Also, hit up the DAV. They are a big help.
I just looked the two ships up. BOTH qualify for Blue Water designation for the following periods of time:
USS DENVER (LPD-9) Transported troops, equipment, and supplies ashore with smaller vessels and docked at Da Nang and elsewhere from February-September 1970; March-June and November 1971; and January-August 1972.
USS JUNEAU (LPD-10) Picked up troops and equipment with smaller vessels and transported them out of Vietnam from August 1970 to March 1971 and June to November 1972.
Like I said, his DD-214 will show when he served aboard each ship. If dates of service match, he's a Go with the VA automatically. He just needs to go to the nearest VAMC facility and enroll.
I just looked the two ships up. BOTH qualify for Blue Water designation for the following periods of time:
USS DENVER (LPD-9) Transported troops, equipment, and supplies ashore with smaller vessels and docked at Da Nang and elsewhere from February-September 1970; March-June and November 1971; and January-August 1972.
USS JUNEAU (LPD-10) Picked up troops and equipment with smaller vessels and transported them out of Vietnam from August 1970 to March 1971 and June to November 1972.
Like I said, his DD-214 will show when he served aboard each ship. If dates of service match, he's a Go with the VA automatically. He just needs to go to the nearest VAMC facility and enroll.
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SCPO (Join to see)
CW4 Dan Cady - As a PSO, you are also in an excellent position to help him. BTW, Welcome home, Bro. All three of us were there at the same time. Hell, I might have been fighting over the same barstool in Po City with that "Jarhead" brother of yours!!! It's a small world, folks, a really small world!!!
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CW4 Dan Cady
SCPO (Join to see) - Yup, it is a small world but a large brotherhood! Thanks for the welcome home and back at you. Let me know if you are going to the VN vet reunion in Omaha in August. Maybe we can meet up.
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SCPO (Join to see)
Capt Tom Brown - just by going to their main site, Tom, if you are looking for qualifications for VA eligibility, a link can be seen floating around nearby that lists all the Blue Water ships that currently qualify for AO, together with when and how. Brown Water Navy is automatic as is anyone who was ever in country. I flew off the MIDWAY many times just to "go for a ride!!!" We went to Da Nang primarily, but a few other places. The COD pilot was a mustang officer and great friend. But, whenever I went, I am certain I was never listed on any crew manifest. I wish I had been.
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