Resources for Victims of Agent Orange Dioxins

Links to Agent Orange (AO) Related Websites

An article about a non-B-66er's claim

AGENT ORANGE Compensation Information

What is Agent Orange (AO)?

Agent Orange was one of the weed-killing chemicals used by the U.S. military in the Vietnam War. It was sprayed to remove leaves from trees that enemy troops hid behind. Agent Orange and similar chemicals were known as “herbicides.” Agent Orange was applied by airplanes, helicopters, trucks and backpack sprayers.

In the 1970’s some veterans became concerned that exposure to Agent Orange might cause delayed health effects. One of the chemicals in Agent Orange contained small amounts of dioxin (also known as “TCDD”), which had been found to cause a variety of illnesses in laboratory animals. More recent studies have suggested that dioxin may be related to several types of cancer and other disorders.

As a Southeast Asia Veteran, What Kind of Benefits Can you Get?

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pays disability compensation to Vietnam veterans with injuries or diseases that began in, or were aggravated by, their military service. These are called “service-connected” disabilities. VA has several pamphlets describing VA benefits. They are available on the Internet at: www.va.gov/publ/direc/eds/edspamph.htm.

If you do not have Internet access at home, you can get free access at most public libraries.
Publications are also available at your VA Regional Office or by calling these offices at 1-800-827-1000.

Society of Wild Weasels

WILD WEASEL UNITS THAT FLEW OVER VIETNAM
WHO'S CREWS MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR AGENT ORANGE COMPENSATION

The Wild Weasel mission was developed by the U.S. Air Force about 30 years ago, during the Vietnam War era. Its primary concept was the use of two-seat aircraft, to counter hostile radar-controlled surface-to-air weapons. The first Wild Weasel aircraft were F-100Fs. Next came F-105s, followed by F-4Cs. The "last of the breed" were the F-4Gs, a few of which flew over the skies of eastern Europe and Vietnam. Evolution in many areas means that the Weasel role has now been passed on to a "new breed" of animal: a single-seat F-16 "Viper". Many of the traditions, as well as the esprit de corps, and sense of purpose are being accepted by these new warriors in the Gulf region today. http://wildweasels.org/

Vietnam War Aircraft

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
WRIGHT-PATERSON, AFB, OHIO

THE CREWS OF THE AIRCRAFT DISPLAYED IN THIS MUSEUM
MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR AGENT ORANGE COMPENSATION

The Vietnam War Aircraft Gallery has 30 aircraft including a Douglas A-1E used during a mission resulting in the award of the Medal of Honor for its
pilot. Also featured in the gallery are the workhorse USAF fighters of the war: the Republic F-105 and McDonnell Douglas F-4. The Boeing B-52 used extensively during the Linebacker I & II campaigns is prominently displayed. Aircraft flown against the USAF by the North Vietnamese Air Force -
MiG 17 and MiG 21 - are also on display. The gallery is completed by the display of electronic warfare (EB-66), observation, cargo, and transport aircraft
as well as several helicopters. http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/ac/vw.htm

Links to useful AO research sites

http://www.silverrose.info/	The Order of the Silver Rose... Serving and Honoring Victims of Agent Orange Dioxins
http://www.nara.gov/regional/mpr.html	National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records Web Site
http://www.nara.gov/regional/mprsf180.html	Download form SF 180 to request a copy of DD Form 214
http://www.va.gov/index.htm	Veterans Administration & Benefits
http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/index.htm	Compensation & Pension Benefits
http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/	Veterans online application web site (VONAPP)
http://www.va.gov/FORMS/default.asp	VA Forms
http://www.vva.org/benefits/vvaguide.htm	Agent Orange, VA Claims and Appeals, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, VVA's Guide To Veterans Preference
http://www.vva.org/benefits/vvgvaclaims.htm	VVA's Guide on VA CLAIMS and APPEALS
http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/benefits/herbicide/AOno3.htm	The VA's guide on Agent Orange claims
http://www.nfline.com/wwwboard/index.html?cmdAgree=Agree	A Veterans Claims Assistance web board
http://www.ssa.gov	Social Security Online
http://www.ssa.gov/disability/	Social Security Disability Information
http://www.senate.gov/	U.S. Senate
http://www.house.gov/Welcome.html	U.S. House of Representatives
http://www.pld.ttu.ee/~gert/jwz/covernment.html	U.S. Government Links

I looked into the matter in 2003 for two deceased B-66 EWOs: Harold Baggette and James Dawley.
They had to prove they had actually set foot in South Vietnam during their tours of duty at Takhli AB, Thailand.
Both had landed in Saigon on one or more courier flights, but could not produce any documentation to
substantiate their claims.

Paul Duplessis
Webmaster

I made at least a dozen missions flying low level with Agent Orange (AO) spray planes in South Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, along the DMZ, and one up along the passes. The cockpit was full of the smell and so AO aerosol due to the spray planes dodging ground fire and spraying directly in front of us, they never bothered to turn off the spray.

By the way the VA told me to go to hell, when I complained about their refusal to even consider my letters on the subject.

I developed type II diabetes during this period. Flew on a medical waver.

Walt Hadley
walth@inter-linc.net

Some of you will recall the request for assistance from Vertis Jefferies a couple of years ago regarding her late husband Crofton (Jeff). Vertis was trying to convince the Veteran's Administration (VA) that Jeff, who at that time in his illness could remember few details of his Air Force service, might have been exposed to Agent Orange (AO) while serving in SEA. A documentation of a physical presence of at least one hour in South Vietnam was and still is required by the VA before they will provide some tests and treatments associated with AO related illness. Jeff was a navigator with the B-66s at Takhli in '67-8. Vertis knew that Jeff had possibly landed in South Vietnam to take on fuel or for some other emergency reason while returning from a combat mission or while participating in one or more 'high flights' to and from the States. However, the flight records Jeff (Vertis) held did not provide the necessary information to prove it. Vertis asked for our help and a number of you corresponded with her. As I recall Peter (Pete) Summer was among those who provided Vertis with some useful information.

Jim Milam
JIMMILAM@aol.com

The comments made regarding my letter to Vertis are accurate. I was glad to do some research and then write a letter addressed:

To Whom It May Concern" stating some facts about flying in B-66's in SEA and sent it to Vertis. The VA accepted the letter and apparently they were then able to get all the medical care that he needed, including some great terminal care. She was most appreciative for my very small effort on their behalf. I was very happy to be of some small service, which is what I think life should be all about, service to others. My best, Pete Summer.

To: Pete (Summer) and Vertis (Jefferies),

For Pete: I know Vertis was most appreciative of you assistance. She has told me so.

For Vertis: Pete in another email tells me that he cannot find a copy of his "To Whom It May Concern" letter. Might you have retained a copy? If so, could you mail a copy to me (3600 Willomet Court, Bedford, TX 76021) and I will forward to others. Thanks.

For All: Based upon the success of Pete's letter, I suggest we tell those who are searching for assistance - and do not have proof of being in South Vietnam - to locate their B-66 Takhli or Korat Squadron Commander or Operations Officer and ask them to do a "To Whom It May Concern" letter. (Note: I think Dick Keller has done a similar letter for Dave Everson.)

Dale E. Everson, who was in the 41st TRS/TEWS at Takhli in '66-7, is now asking for our help (through Dick Keller) for the same reason -
he is sick and is under VA care. Dale has researched his flight records and is unable to identify any possible missions/flights that landed in South Vietnam. If you can assist Dale in his efforts to prove to the VA that he landed in South Vietnam, drop him a note at meeanddee@earthlink.net or at 11 Jason Road, Boerne, TX 78006. He can also be reached at 830-336-3930 or via his cell at:
210-215-0610.

NOTE: Dale has thought of another way that he - and possibly you and I - might have been exposed to AO. His last assignment in the AF was at the DO of the Civil Engineering Squadron at Tyndall AFB, FL. He says they used a defoliant at Tyndall, applied by his CE troops. And from this knowledge, he suggest that the CE Squadron at Takhli may have also used defoliant (possibly AO) to control the growth around our facilities at Takhli. If any of you know any of the CE folks who were at Takhli, or for that matter any CE person who served in Thailand during those days, please put that person(s) in contact with Dale.

There are a number of other ways Dale (and Dean Piett, another B-66ers who is ill with possible AO connections) may have been exposed to AO. Many or possible most of us spent at least one hour or more in South Vietnam - during arrival or departing our SEA assignment, enroute to/from R&R, TDY to 7th AF, etc. Another is in support of the actual spraying of AO. For example, I know one Thud pilot who remembers flying cover for the C-130s as they sprayed AO along the DMZ and Cambodia border. I don't recall if the B-66 was ever tasked to do the same. Does anyone remember such a mission for us at Takhli or Korat? And if we were, what is the possibility of being exposed to AO in this situation and would the VA recognize this as a possible exposure?

I recall one night flight in support of a C-130. We were told to fly above the C-130 at the same air speed. Even with gear and flaps down, the 130 was still slower. We then flew circles around the C-130 to provide the electronic support. I have no idea of what the C-130’s mission was. Perhaps there are historical records that show when and where the EB-66s supported
C-130 missions. Mike Krause mikekrause@erols.com

Mike, I recall supporting the C-130 in their "Buffalo Hunter" (I think it was called) role.
They would drop a recce drone from under their wing and remotely control it throughout its mission.
Jim Milam