I think with my case I need to find a universities or library that has a knowledgeable staff that could research AO usage at FT Lewis. Or any AO experts in that area?

My exposure was at FT Lewis need more details than I have at this time.

Thanks for any replies

Ken1

The DOD has not confirmed spraying or usage of AO at that site- however-
you could access the DOD report on line at http://www1.va/gov/agentorange/docs/Report..._of_Vietnam.pdf.

You might have been in one of the other areas mentioned in the report such as Fort Drum (testing)1959 or Fort Richie MD Testing 1963 etc.

Even if you were at any of the locales mentioned in this report -you must still support the claim with direct evidence of exposure to the AO. This could involve perimeter/guard duty of the AO was sprayed on the perimeter or handling of the AO barrels. These claims also might need strong buddy statements in support of the usage of the AO.

We have member here who I know well and who proved he was exposed to AO while during perimeter duty in Thailand.

I know of a vet awarded AO for duties in Alaska and there are other vets who have succeeded in this type of claim.

It took them all a lot of work and research.

You could access your unit on line-most units have web sites- to see if anyone else has filed a claim due to AO at Ft Lewis when you were there.

The Thailand vet actually got some of the info he needed from FOIAs to DOD.His MOS put him on the perimeters and DOD confirmed the perimeters of his base had been sprayed during certain dates.

The info on the internet regarding AO is far more extensive then any libraries have.

I dont know if there are AO researchers out there-
does your MOS suggest you would have been in areas they tested or sprayed? Or did your MOS involve transport and storage of the AO barrels?

I assume you have disability on the AO list- have you searched your SMRS to see if you can file for direct SC as well as presumptive to AO?

This might be a better link to that report :

http://www.vawatchdog.org/agentorange.htm

[My exposure was at FT Lewis need more details than I have at this time.]

Ken,
how were you exposed? Did you spray this stuff?
I have another vet that was stationed there needing AO information.

I was exposed when I and other buddy was assigned to clean up a couple trucks that were coved in AO. Actually I did not know it was AO, the buddy who was a Nam vet recognized the orange tinted film/slime covering the trucks. These trucks and a tanker trailer were used to spray some of our live fire ranges used by the new start up of the 6 ARMY Training Center,

Allen

If needed send me a PM and I will reply with address and phone. Your buddy could help my cause.

I have searched for many years for buddy that was on the clean up detail but cannot locate, we lost contact about 1982 and were station at FT Lewis 1966-67 both of use ETS in 1967

Ken1

He was stationed at Ft Lewis in 65' during basic training. Didn't handle it.

Allen

Please double check your veteran basic training year.
I was part of the original start up of the 6th ARMY AIT Training center and I did not arrive at FT Lewis until June 1966

Ken1

Correction: It was July 24, 1966 when he arrived.
He has hep-C and treated for kidney stones by VA. NO SC.
Also stationed at Ft Benning.
I'm looking for a connection to his kidney issues. It was a little over a year out of service before he found out he had Hep-C.

Is Hep-C caused by AO?

I have prostate cancer, peripheral neuropathy and diabetes II I blame AO exposure.

Ken1

Allen was your veteran part of the AIT group that began about that same time period?

Ken

His email says hyper-keritosis is one of his issues. States he has basic training at Ft Lewis.
What is AIT group? I can ask him & find out for you if I know what it is.

I was part of the start up on 6th Army training center for AIT and I arrived in FT Lewis July 1966

Ken1

Something has been bothering me here-I dont doubt what the Vietnam vet said said as to the stuff on the trucks but-

here it is-

Agent Orange was colorless, not orange.

It was a liquid that was thin enough to be dispersed in the Hayes dispensers.A slimy substance would have gummed up the spray nozzles.

Is it possible that these trucks had another type of chemical residue on them?
A chemical that could have caused your disability?Perhaps a herbicide like Round Up?

I have been studying AO since 1991 when my husband was in the first AO lawsuit.This does not sound like AO to me based on his description as well as that of many other vets I know personally who were exposed to it.

Still- it could be worth your while to attempt to find the CO of your unit during this time frame at Fort Lewis and somehow- if they did use AO at the Fort- someone ordered it and told them where to spray it.

I searched the BVA but could not find any similiar type of AO claim.

Have you been able to find your unit on line?

They might have a reunion list and someone's name might ring a bell with you and they could possible remember use of AO there.

Berta

I buddy/Nam vet stated it was AO could it be something else yes but he claim AO.

Ken1

Berta

I used slim in description as a reference but it was a thin layer coating layer on trucks.

Ken1

Berta



After your comments I believe I have been depressed. Just trying to create a way to re-connect with my Army buddy. we stayed in contact for 15 years after our discharge he is the only one I know that could confirm that it was AO. Do I think he was wrong NO but without his confirmation it will be very difficult to keep claim alive and active. Trying to recall a 40+ year old memory it will have some grey areas.



When station at FT Lewis I was part of the 6^th Army Training Center but we had people coming and going every month and I could not find any type of reunion list. Our range officer was a WestPoint graduate but for me he was a dude. I still have a picture of him sleeping in his VW bug on the range. During work hours, I need to find an CSI agent to run his license plate to get name I do not recall. I do think he played a part in having the area sprayed



Thanks for sharing your information, it makes me more determined to find my old buddy. As the old saying goes “How do you eat an elephant one bit at a time?



Thanks

Ken1