Agent Orange use in the 1960's in So Korea DMZ

Comments: Would like to hear from INJIM SCOUTS or anyone that was there in 1966. I finally gave in and started going to the VA in April this year and so far I can not state any complaints. I filed a claim today at the urging of some of the Drs. I am seeing and so far they have been very helpful. We will see I suppose.

Keywords: OP Dort, ambush patrols on DMZ 1966 my small squad surprized a small group coming down from north and shot them up fairly well but could not pursue them. I had pictures of some of terrain and view of North Korea from OP but they were lost coming to states. You never seen very much vegetation around camp or OP muck and minefields were there. On one small area we used to stake out there was some type of weed - kinda ugly yellow brown - chew on it tasted like sweet/sour more on sour side but would keep you awake also would give you headaches and stomach discomfort. At the Injim river there was vegetation in certain areas.

Agent Orange

Comments:

Keywords: Was assigned to CP liberty bell on thebarrier fence July 70 The 1/38 moved to Cp Custer in sept. 70. then to CP Hovey in Dec 70 I got a second dose of Agent orange from the residue of a ground spray in 69. to this day agent orange lingers in the rice pddies and marshes of the DMZ. I got my first dose in Viet Nam, So I have had no problems with VA. But I am willing to help any one that is having problems with VA. Also if you ever mixed white powder with water to put around the fence line of your compound to kill vegitation. yYou were mixing agent orange.

Comments: I WRITE THIS WITH SADNES, I APPLY FOR COMPENSATION/PENSION THRU THE VA BECAUSE I WAS EXPOSED TO AGENT ORANGE IN KOREA IN 1976-1977 WITH B TROOP 4/7 CAV, I WAS COMPLAINING BECAUSE OF MY PROBLEM DUE TO AGENT ORANGE. BUT THE FACT IS THAT I HAVE SEEN MY FRIEND THIS PAST WEEKEND, WE JOIN THE ARMY TOGUETHE WE SERVE IN KOREA,HE WAS WITH A CO 1/38 INF CAMP HOVEY. 3 OF HIS CHILDRENS WERE BORN WITH PROBLEMS RELATED TO AO,HIS HEALTH IS WORST THAN MY,HE HAD ONE KIDNEY REMOVED AND OTHER PROBLEM. NOW IAM MORE DETERMING THAN BEFORE TO PERSUE THIS PROBLEM AND HELP MY FRIEND GET THE HELP HE NEEDS,RIGHT NOW IAM SICK BUT IS NO ABOUT ME ANYMORE IS ABOUT HIM,SO ANY HELP FROM ANY OF MY BROTHER OUT THERE WOULD HELP HIM A LOT, REMENBER EVEN IF WE DIN'T SERVED TOGUETHER OR KNEW EACH WE ARE FACING THE SAME PROBLEMS, SO LETS BAND TOGUETHER LIKE BANDS OF BOTHERS.

YOUR TRULLY HECTOR B SUAZO B TROOP 4 SQUAD 7TH CARVALRY

Keywords: HELP A FRIEND

The VA is a BIG lie

Comments: THE VA Lies to Vets about forms that they say DO NOT apply or exsist. However, when forms suddenly appear at the Congressmans's office and then disapear for NO REASON.............one must wonder why. We need to start a Petetion that all Vets can sign and send it to the President and ask his office to look into our problems. If we could get someone who know how to start this to do it, then things WILL CHANGE! PLEASE, SOMEONE OUT THERE THAT IS GOOD AT THIS SORT OF THING..........PLEASE DO IT AND DEMAND THE US ADMIT TO AO IN KOREA IN 1959 TO 1970 They used it and they know it!

Keywords: HQ AND HQS COMPANY Uijonbu, South Korea 1964

Agent Orange Exposure

Comments: I have been applying for VA Benefits for a neck and shoulder injury for roughly 5 years.

I have had to wear dark glasses for nearly 15 years, and thought all this was due to injuries while associated as a Naval dependant and complicated by an Army injury at Fort Benning.

Monday I am going to the VA Hospital to have an Agent Orange Physical.

What truly disapoints me in this whole matter is that the DOD knew I was exposed to Agent Orange and never relayed the information to me.

I believe every soldier who served on the DMZ, GP115, GP116 or other post or recon duty should be notified of this potential chemical hazard.

My mistake - I drank the water and mud when I thought it was neccessary!

If you have additional information to relay, I can be reached at http://profile.military.com/member/view.do?memberId=17610413

Keywords: DMZ Agent Orange Exposure

helping a Korean Agent Orange Widow

Comments: Any help you can send will be greatly appreciated. Thank you Rev. Pam woolbertscountry@yahoo.com

Keywords: Joe Mast died in Jan./07 of soft tissue sarcoma. He was stationed in Korea at Camp Boniface starting Dec. 69 for 14 months. His claim for service connected was denied twice. Can anyone help with info on water contamination, soil contamination, and AO in that area and time?

23rd Inf Regt and JSA

Comments: Served with RADAR and RECON Platoons of the 3rd Bn, 23rd Inf, 3rd Bde, 2nd ID from Feb. 1967 to Mar. 1968. Pulled guard duty on all GPs and OPs in sector and towers behind fence along Barrier Road from Injim River to OP Anne. Ambush and MDL patrols in sector. QRF during USS Pueblo crisis. 1SG of JSF Co., UNCSG-JSA from Oct. 1983 - Oct. 1984. Conducted 1st ambush patrol in MOCHA A in JSA area (1984) with company commander, XO, S-3 Officer and S-3 NCO, we were all ranger qualified. Exposed to agent orange during construction of fence and clear, sandy area (mined) in 1967 - 68. Last guard post (GP) duty was March 1968 on GP Beryl.

Keywords: Camp Dodge and Camp Kitty Hawk

START OF KOREAN WAR

Comments: I am not in a position to say much but the Korean War did not start in 1953. It actually started immediately after WWII. Almost 100,000 Japanese, North Koreans, et al were slaughtered in the name of communist aggression on the island of Cheju Do. This secret war or insurgency did not cease until about mid 80s. The US was deeply in this action because of the vital location of the Island and the military advantage it held. Look for some Agent Orange or other chemicals being used in that era.

Keywords: Cheju do cheju

Did you know James Hartline?

Comments: I have filed a claim with va and need to get help to prove my stressor If you can help please contact.

Keywords: Enigeers unit, asphalt plant

Agent Orange @ 4P1?

Comments: After my tour April 76-May 77, I experienced numbness with my big toes & hands. Skin between my toes sluffed off for years, my back had severe achne for years. Later when my son was born (1989) he had deformed toes & ear? Has anyone experienced this? Today I suffer from migraines & joint paint. I was diagnosed with Osetho- arthritis at the age of twenty? I'm fifty two now. Does AO wear off over a period of time, if they sprayed late 60's-early 70's, I was there five years later would'nt we still be exposed? Lots of questions no answers. Does anyone have any ideas? Anyways all those who served in Korea God Bless you all.

Chaplain Bob Lockart VNVMC

Keywords: Fire Base 4P1, Recon, Operation Paul Bunyon...

Agent Orange @ 4P1?

Comments: After my tour April 76-May 77, I experienced numbness with my big toes & hands. Skin between my toes sluffed off for years, my back had severe achne for years. Later when my son was born (1989) he had deformed toes & ear? Has anyone experienced this? Today I suffer from migraines & joint paint. I was diagnosed with Osetho- arthritis at the age of twenty? I'm fifty two now. Does AO wear off over a period of time, if they sprayed late 60's-early 70's, I was there five years later would'nt we still be exposed? Lots of questions no answers. Does anyone have any ideas? Anyways all those who served in Korea God Bless you all.

Chaplain Bob Lockart VNVMC

Keywords: Fire Base 4P1, Recon, Operation Paul Bunyon...

Agent Orange Korea 12-1966/02-1968

Comments: I served with above unit & our artillery unit was one of the closest to the DMZ, and we were on the DMZ a few times, and I believe I was exposed to AO but when I do a search on this unit it's like it never existed. Any vets approved for PTSD for BLUE HOUSE RAID/USS PUEBLO, I have been diagnosed by the V.A. with PTSD, but I need to prove a stressor. You may email me at: sspc50@hotmail.com and/or call me Ronald Dennis 704.661.4611

Keywords: AGENT ORANGE/BLUE HOUSE RAID/USS PUEBLO

7th battalion( Hawk) 2d Artillery..38th Brigade

Comments: Was any of you that served in 1970 advised that Agent Orange was sprayed the year before in 1969?

Keywords: My Name is Stanley Mcqueen, i served on two missile site in korea , both were one the Dmz , The first missile site that i was asighned I cannot recall the company or the name of the unit, this I do know, i could see tiger mountain from the missile tack site, the unit I last served was the 7th Battalion( hawk) 2ndArtillery 0( 38th Brigade) there was four firing batterys asighned along the Dmz Alpha..Brovo.Charlie,Delta..I was in Charlie company.. if you was there please email me and let me know , this was 1970. i got into country in November of 1970. and my first unit i was ashighed to i cannot recall what the unit name was..

To all Vets in Korea since 1962

Comments: I had a great call and conversation just after noon today (Wednesday - 5/14) with U.S. Congressman John Doolittle and his assistant Jeff Valuck. He is really hot to go on this and I am going to get one binder in final form for him and send it up there. He said he will get it copied and get it mailed out to all 80 guys (well and some ladies - mostly widows and Vet's Wives) on my list here AND he will get copies made for all members of the House and Senate and get them put in the Representatives and Senators hands.

Based on what he told me on the phone, the best place to be standing in the coming weeks is well behind the fan.

He has already started doing research and is talking with other Congressmen, including Rep. Bob Filner who chairs the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. As you may already know, Congressman Filner held a hearing late last week relating to apparently false statements and information by the Department and Secretary for Veterans Affairs before Congress relating to suicides among vets now returning home from Iraq. At the opening of that hearing Congressman Filner asked Secretary Peake if he should be asking for the resignations of other upper level staff of the VA or if he himself, the Secretary, should be resigning.

Long story short, Congress is not real happy to hear of the problems we (Veterans of the 2nd Korean War) are facing with the VA and Congressman Doolittle has promised to push very hard toward fixing this.

Each of you reading this who served in Korea since 1962 need to get busy writing your Congressmen and Sanators in Washington telling them to contact Congressman Doolittle and join in on this effort.

You can find your Congressional memnbers here:

http://www3.capwiz.com/mygov/dbq/officials/ < < < < COPY AND PASTE THIS IN BROWSER

Congressman Doolittle then plans to schedule a hearing on the issues affecting all Vets who served in Korea since 1962 and work toward getting them ruled Presumptive just as the Vietnam Vets were. He is very interested also in the fact that VA has not been sharing, or at least not paying attention to the Court rulings for other vets when a ruling is handed down. He feels that is a gross injustice on VA's part.

I am going to hook John up with a couple other congressmen who are helping with other vets to get this rolling. I feel good about this and I feel like he will spearhead this for us.

So the Appeals process may soon be mute when all the evidence comes out in Oversight Hearings in both the House and Senate in Washington. Stay tuff, Guys - there is bright light coming into sight in this 40 + year long tunnel.

We will now be "Fireing H.E. Rounds For Effect" on behalf of Vets from the 2nd Korean War! Let's keep the fire hot on VA and let them know we ALL WERE THERE!!

Phil Steward, Captain (former) CO, E Company, 2nd Engineer BN 2nd Infantry Division Korea 1968 -1968

Keywords:

To all Vets in Korea since 1962

Comments:

Keywords: Agent Orange in Korea

Agent Orange

Comments: Agent Orange sprayed at Camp Casey and Camp Casey is considered in the DMZ.

Keywords: 7th Admin Records section

Open Letter to Help Other Veterans

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

agent orange camp casey 1971

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

Agent Orange

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

Agent Orange in Korea

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

Diabetes and Agent Orange

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

AO and Parkinson's

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

Camp Casey Korea

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Keywords:

AO and Parkinson's

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Keywords: