The United States Veterans Administration (VA) has announced that, like those who served in Vietnam, veterans who served in Thailand maybe be entitled to VA benefits. Those who had served at one of the military bases in Thailand listed in the below URL and the locations at those bases identified, and experiencing any of the ailments considered possibly caused by Agent Orange (including prostate cancer) may now be eligible for VA treatment and compensation.
If you have kept in touch with any former comrades-in-arms from those bases who did not make the military a career, or their spouses if they have already died, you may
consider passing this info on to them.
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/thailand.asp
Thank you Chuck Maack, for calling this information to my attention.
Joel T Nowak, M.A., M.S.W.
I left Iwakuni Japan to go to Danang with Task Force Delta on th way are plane ran into mechanical problems and we landed in the Philippines. We theen went to Bien Hoa for fefueling and and other things. We never made it to Danang but went from Bien Hoa to Nam Phong Thailand I was one of the first groups there. I have had colon cancer, Skin cancer, High blood pressure, arthritis in all my joints,TIA’s acid reflux, Hplori.possible liver cancer,Glucoma, Heart disease irregular heart beats high liver enzymes for years, bone degeneration. In researching I have come across several fellow marines that I served dead from cancers and others having similar problems I am curently appling for benefits for these problems. age 60 but have had most of these for years
Terry – Good luck and take care of yourself. – Joel
Hi, Just found this site. I was at Nam Phong from Nov 72 – Feb 73 working on the flight line and sleeping within a few yards of large fuel blatters of jet fuel. All of the vegetation I saw on the base was reddish brown and wilted. I have been experiencing some of the symptoms mentioned above. I have a VA Dr. appointment today and will try to get these matters looked at. I understand you have to get the doctor to enter in your records that the problem could be related to “herbicide” or better “agent orange” contact. I’ll let you know how it goes.
I was stationed at cck in the usaf Taiwan and went tdy to nam phong tailand. I was with a group that arrived 3 days before the cb’s. We started receiving equipment from Danang. The Marines were coming. Our job was to off load air craft. I was a vehicle mechanic. I spent 2 months there and handled equipment that arrived from NAM. There is a group of reservist vets who flew the 123’s that came from Man which sprayed AO in Nam. The institute of Medicine which does studies for the VA found the aircraft after 20 to 300 years still contained enough residue to get exposure from A O. The 6/11/15 News Argus has a article stating that 2 democratic senators want to know why the VA is delaying the disability bennifits to the 1200-2000 reservist who served 1972 – 1982 flying and working on the 123’s and are coming down with the AO symptoms. To date only one of these have received disability bennifits and he died 0ne month later. I am fighting the VA now. I say I was exposed in Thailand due to direct contact with the contaminated equipment form Da namg in 1972 at Nam Phong I have been turned down and I filed a Notice of disagreement and submitted new proofs. I will have to get a rep to speak for me. Phone number 9197780046
Rick,
It is just simply wrong. You and your brothers should not have to fight this battle. We owe you more than you are getting.
Joel
I arrived in Nam Phong in June of 1972. I was one of the first to arrive. We pulled perimeter guard and walked thru the dead foliage and barbed wire. They sprayed our living areas with DDT, which was banned in the US. I have had 3 stints placed in my heart for ischemic heart dz, peripheral neurapathy, and high BP. I am fortunate to not have cancer like other guys. I am presently applying for benefits. Good luck to all and Semper Fi.
Joe,
Good luck and thank you very much for your service.
Joel
I served with MAG 15 H&MS 15 in Nam Phong, Thailand Feb – Sep 1973. I am investigating as to whether or not I may have been exposed to Agent Orange and if so what should I do.
I was in Nam Phong with Army Special Forces from January 1972 through May 1972. Many of us were exposed to herbicides which were used extensively all over the site. I have also been denied compensation for herbicide exposure and am awaiting a hearing. Buddy statements from anyone who served with Special Forces at Nam Phong would be helpful. I have photographs which I took of the area which demonstrate the extensive defoliation of the area. Please contact me me via email at philamdia@yahoo.com
I was part of the mobile construction battalion 5 (mcb – 5) seabees that built the rose garden. I also have many illnesses and have a claim in for Parkinson etc. I am currently 60%. I struggle.
I served with VMFA -115 72-73 Nam Phong.. At age 53 I had a six way heart bypass. and was diagnosed with ischemic heart disease. I have no genetic background history in my family of this issue. It is a result of exposure to agent orange. I have pictures of Thais using elephants to remove foliage that was dead from spraying and cleared from our base.
Marine served rosegarden may 1972 allen boyden iams sick
Was in NamPhong 11/72 thru Sept 73, my wife has had 4 miscarriages, we had a daughter born with a form of Spina Bifida, my son has the digits of his left foot deformed and I have been diagnosed with ischemic heart disease. What in the world is going on, and why isn’t the VA recognizing any of us?
I was in Nam Phong when the SeaBees were knocking down the jungle to build hooches. I have had skin cancer at least 15 times, prostate cancer, high BP, neuropathy in my feet. I’ve heard that Agent Orange wasn’t used there and I’ve heard that it was. Is there any ruling from the VA on Nam Phong? I only spent a few hours in Bien Hoa while escorting some equipment to Nam Phong.
This is such a flagrant disgrace to those who served in nam phong. Given no more credit than those who lived stateside during same time . Called a Vietnam era vet same . But one who stepped off an aircraft for 10 seconds gets boot on the ground.
I served in the Rose Garden in 1972 and suffer with Prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, onset diabetes.
I served in The Rose Garden from April,1973 till October,1973
Brothers, I was a Marine stationed in Nam Pong from June 1 , 1972 until I rotated back to the world in late May, 1973. L still remember the smell of the spaying of defoliant while we were living in our hardback tents.I too have skin and prostate cancer and both are malignant. I am mow 69 and am probably .dying. I have lived 50 years since then, and it has been a been a rewarding and, sometimes disappointing life.No ones fault but myself. I have been dealing with this for years now with Tricare and Medicare and I think it is time to see what I can do with the VA.Thank you for helping me brothers and letting me that I am not alone.
Why are veterans from Nam Phong told no agent orange exposure there.