A Social Network for Navy Veterans of the United States of America
Agent Orange
Hi there....
I served on the USS Ranger (CVA-61) from 1961-1965. I am in the process of applying for my disability and one of the questions asked is if anyone on the Ranger at that time could prove that we were subjected to agent orange while cruising off the coast of Vietnam during that time. I remember several times bieng able to see the coast clearly as we were firing air strikes off the deck. I picked up the ship in Yokosuka in September (?) of 1961 and went directly to Yankee Station off the coast of Vietnam. We were bombing the Viet Cong as early as 1961.
Any information you have would be greatly appreciated
Thanks a lot....
Jack Smart
S-4 Division Disbursing
USS Ranger (CVA-61)
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Darrell A. Nelson on -
Hi, maybe I can help. I was aboard the USS Mazama AE9 in 1966 off Yankee station and we rearmed the Ranger many times with supplies and Ammo, We also carried Agent Orange and passed it on to whom ever needed it.. As of now here is the problem. The blue water Navy does nopt qualify because we never set foot on RVN soil. We would get close to shore and make fresh water out of sea water tainted with Agent Orange but never set foot on land. As of now just the Brown water Navy gets the bennies. The VA is still working on it.
ENC Retired Darrell Nelson
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Permalink Reply by Jack Smart on -
Hi Darrell....
Yes, thank you. I have done some more research since asking the question. You are correct. It now seems to be in the hands of the politicians in Washington D.C. and who knows what they will do with it. It was accepted by Veterans affairs for a time, then along came a new director and refused to pay for blue water sailors. They were sued by a navy commander, but still refused to acknowledge the importance of this. I have submitted my application, so if it ever becomes law, then they will have a lot of money to pay out, back to the individual filing date.
Thanks again for your reply.
Jackson
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Permalink Reply by James Reed on -
I too have applied to agent orange--was denied cause i wasnt in country---I have diabeties type 2 and congestive heart failure---am goin to try to re-apply for it---i was on the USS MAZAMA AE_9 off the coast of Nam in 66 --and we have been in close enuff to coast to git it--i was a BT and did run evaps also boilers on the Mazama--take care all god bless--
Jim Reed--
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