By I have had an increasing amount of inquiries from former Korea veterans in regards to the spraying of Agent Orange in areas near the DMZ. This spraying occurred during a period of heightened tensions along the DMZ where the North Koreans increased infiltrators into South Korea in an attempt to start an insurgency, ambush soldiers, attack US camps, bomb barracks, and even try to assassinate the South Korean President during a period that became known as the 2nd Korean War. Agent Orange was sprayed along the DMZ areas in order to kill foliage in order to more easily spot North Korean infiltrators. Agent Orange has since been proven to be the cause of a number of health defects with veterans that served in both Vietnam and Korea.
The spraying of Agent Orange in Korea has now been verified by the US government and the VA wants people who may have been exposed to it to come in:
The government is offering to examine Cold War American troops who served in Korea three decades ago for possible exposure to the defoliant Agent Orange.
In a little-publicized initiative, the Veterans Affairs Department expanded a program previously offered to Vietnam War veterans to include people who served in Korea in 1968-69.
The rule change follows by a year the Pentagon’s disclosure that South Korean troops sprayed Agent Orange, which contained the toxic herbicide dioxin, during that time along the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea.
The decision to give vets free Agent Orange Registry exams, for diseases and medical conditions associated with exposure to the herbicide, is set out in a directive issued Sept. 5 and posted on the department’s http://www.va.gov World Wide Web site.
Agent Orange and other similar herbicides were used during the Vietnam War to eliminate forest cover by defoliating broad sections of jungle mainly to facilitate pursuit of infiltrators and supplies moving into South Vietnam from the north. After it appeared probable that the defoliant caused numerous serious illnesses and birth defects, the VA set up the Agent Orange Registry in 1978, three years after the war ended, for U.S. veterans with in-country Vietnam War military service. More than 300,000 veterans have participated so far.
“Now that we understand that it was sprayed there,” said VA spokesman Jim Benson, “we can say, `If you were in Korea, you may be exposed, and we would like you to come in.”’
The VA may want these veterans to come in, but they want them to prove they were in an area that was sprayed for Agent Orange, which may be tough to do for people that were stationed in units away from the DMZ and did a short temporary duty stint near the DMZ that may have exposed them to Agent Orange. The Pentagon claims that the Agent Orange was only sprayed along the southern portion of the DMZ which is the 2 kilometer wide strip of land on the South Korean side of the border. Even if this is true the Agent Orange could still have washed into other areas and the water supply by rain I would think?
Here is the official list of units along the DMZ that were exposed to Agent Orange:
The four combat brigades of the 2nd Infantry Division, including the following units:
- a) 1-38 Infantry
- b) 2-38 Infantry
- c) 1-23 Infantry
- d) 2-23 Infantry
- e) 3-23 Infantry
- f) 3-32 Infantry
- g) 109th Infantry
- h) 209th Infantry
- i) 1-72 Armor
- j) 2-72 Armor
- k) 4-7th Cavalry
Also, the 3rd Brigade of the 7th Infantry Division, including the following units:
- a) 1-17th Infantry
- b) 2-17th Infantry
- c) 1-73 Armor
- d) 2-10th Cavalry
This veteran’s site has a number of good links on it that should help people looking for information on Agent Orange in Korea for those who are interested. However, does anyone else have any good information or links to share to help veterans that may have been exposed to Agent Orange?
7:16 pm on July 24th, 2009 1
I was in Vietnam when agent orange was being used and get my yearly questionaire and updates on illnesses due to agent orange.
In my humble opinion the issue has been way overblown by the press. Yes, there have been some illnesses that can be attributed to agent orange, however, the numbers are very low from what one would expect given the coverage by the media.
I would advise anyone exposed not to panic and just go with the program in case someday, somewhere, they get an illness that could be related to agent orange.
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November 5th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
You may not understand but when they look at you and say you have non Hoskins Lythomia, which is from Agent Orange.
This makes your stomach turn.
Well I guess you have none of illness from Agent Orange
and thats good. But you are full of __it . You tell me if you have this ,you will just go with the flow.
The goverment took me and told me what to do and I did it.
The was not a Vacation.
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March 18th, 2010 at 7:10 am
I’m with you Gerry. The pilots and aircrew who sprayed Agent Orange practically swam in the gunk. They even had an initiation right where newbie had to drink the stuff. Despite this, they have a low rate of illnesses attributed to Agent Orange!
Not saying people shouldnt take advantage of any bennies if they qualify. But I for one am suspicious of the whole thing.
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March 18th, 2010 at 8:29 am
You have never had a doctor look you in the eye and say “You have cancer. Stage 3 of 4 stages” Whether it was from AO or what ever, it leaves you with a helpless feeling and “Why me” After being told that, I will never knock someone elses problems until you walk in their shoes.
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March 18th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
That is so True I have non Hoskins Lythomphia and Hep C., from Agent Orange. Trying to get Disability Claim with VA.
March 18th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Good luck with NHL. The treatments are not fun, but I have been in remission for 19 years. I got turned down by the VA. They claim the only place the sprayed in Korea was the DMZ. Don’t believe them, but can not prove different. GOOD LUCK
March 18th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
Thank You.
Yes I believe it was all over Korea, Maybe they will approve this in latter years. I was on DMZ in 1968. Have to prove I was there because the Army doesn’t show it on my records.
Please Make your claim on Agent Orange so your claim will be on file.
Raymond Taylor
March 18th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
My wife found 3 men I was station with on DMZ we have talked to 2 of them and left message for other one to call.
I have been told they will accept a Army Buddies statement that you where on DMZ.
Don’t know but if you have a few of you buddies write letters that , AO was sprayed where you where at it might help with claim, can’t hurt. Keep Claim running
7:27 am on July 26th, 2009 2
Would like to know if we were affected in camp Kasey with the evercises we were doing at the time. I have been having symptoms of agent orange. where can I get the testing done at Andrew Wilson
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12:49 pm on July 30th, 2009 3
Gary, BULL SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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1:07 am on August 3rd, 2009 4
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November 5th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
Have you got NHL?
Also have you made a claim with VA?
I have NHL we are working on claim
If you need any help and I can help please let me know.
I was stationed with the 44th engineers at camp Beavers
March 68-July 68.
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5:03 pm on January 4th, 2010 5
Agent Orange sprayed before April 1968. NOTE: On December 16, 2003 the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 was signed into law. This law state that Spina Bifida benefits have been extended to the natural child of a service member if the service member served in Korea during the period September 1, 1967 – August 31, 1971; if the veteran served in the active military, naval or air service and was exposed to a herbicide agent during such service in or near the Korean demilitarized zone. The above law proves Agent Orange was sprayed in Korea earlier that April 1, 1968. If a Veteran has a child born with Spina Bifida on September 1, 1967 can receive benefits then why the veteran can’t get benefits during the same dates.
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January 20th, 2010 at 8:20 am
Was any used around Osan from 1965 thru 1966? I have suffered thru non-hodgkins lymphomia, heart trouble, hearing loss, loss of sleep and on and on. After thinking about it, I do not recall ever seeing the grass mowed around the runways….
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8:06 pm on February 15th, 2010 6
I was at St. Barbara and TDY to DMZ 6/68 to 7/69. Now have Prostate CA and heart deasease (5-way by-pass), etc. Going through the VA now to see what I can do.
Anyone out there who has had any success? Or anyone from St. Barbara?Good Luck to you all.
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February 15th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
Ken what company where you with at St Barbara .
I was with the 44th engineers .
Have non Hoskins Lymthomia, Have claim with VA.
Still trying to get Morning Records ,
There where 13 of us station with 44th, Have found 3 of them . So don’t give up .
MBTSDAD@aol.com.
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3:43 am on March 18th, 2010 7
Would strongly advise that any serviceman/woman that served in Korea and Vietnam to get checked for any possible effects of Agent Orange. If will be able to claim compensation from the Government.
But, just remember the people of these countries on which Agent Orange was sprayed and are affected with illnesses and servere disabilities. In Vietnam alone there are over 4 million that are affected. To date, the US Government nor the US Governmant will accept their responsibility for the use of Agent Orange and its affect on the people of Vietnam.
Len Aldis
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5:38 pm on March 18th, 2010 8
Follow me, don’t follow me
I’ve got my spine, I’ve got my orange crush
Collar me, don’t color me
I’ve got my spine, I’ve got my orange crush
We are agents of the free
I’ve had my fun and now its time to
Serve your conscience overseas (over me, not over me)
Coming in fast, over me
Follow me, don’t follow me
I’ve got my spine, I’ve got my orange crush
Collar me, don’t color me
I’ve got my spine, I’ve got my orange crush
We are agents of the free
I’ve had my fun and now its time to
Serve your conscience overseas (over me, not over me)
Coming in fast, over me
High on the roof
thin the blood,
another one came on the the waves tonight,
comin’ in, you’re home.
We’d circle and we’d circle and we’d circle to stop and consider and
centered on the pavement stacked up all the trucks jacked up and
our wheels in slush and orange crush in pocket and all this here county
hell any county it’s just like heaven here and I was remembering and I
was just in a different county and all then this whirlybird that I
headed for I had my goggles pulled off I knew it all I knew every back
road and every truck stop
Follow me, don’t follow me
I’ve got my spine, I’ve got my orange crush
Collar me, don’t color me
I’ve got my spine, I’ve got my orange crush
We are agents of the free
I’ve had my fun and now its time to
Serve your conscience overseas (over me, not over me)
Coming in fast, over me
High on the roof
thin the blood,
another one came on the the waves tonight,
comin’ in, you’re home.
High on the roof
thin the blood,
another one came on the the waves tonight,
comin’ in, you’re home.
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March 20th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Forgive me General but put it in plain english. I don’t have all the college degrees to keep your train of thought. You see I was just an Airman that did the jobs the General’s wanted done. My lack of schooling only allowed me to work active air defense for Washington DC during Kennedy’s term
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2:56 pm on March 20th, 2010 9
Agent Orange seems to be like asbestos – exposure doesn’t guarantee illness, it just elevates the risk.
We should always take good care of our veterans, who did our dirty work. We should help Koreans who may have been exposed, too. Even if a necessary operation, done according to the best informatiom available at the time, later has bad side effects, we need to do the right thing.
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