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Thailand Exposure

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VeteransBenefitsClinic

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Hi all,

Our legal clinic is representing a USAF veteran who was stationed at U-Tapao from 1968-1969. He is suffering from several conditions which have been linked to Agent Orange.

Without documentary documentary evidence of physical presence in Vietnam, he has been unable to benefit from presumptive service connection. We are working with him to develop two potential courses of action to connect his claim to AO exposure:

1) ACTUAL EXPOSURE IN THAILAND. Our client's duties involved transporting supplies throughout Thailand, and he describes several occasions where he handled barrels that match the description of AO. According to the client, those barrels required special handling and storage. The research and primary sources mentioned on this board (e.g. CHECO reports on Base Defense in Thailand) have been invaluable, although we would like to corroborate his case with buddy statments. If any fellow veterans have first-hand knowledge of AO storage, application, or transportation in/via U-Tapao around that time, please contact us if you are willing to provide a buddy statement.

2) TRANSIENT PRESENCE IN VIETNAM. The client ran at least three ground convoys into what he believes was Vietnamese territory, namely to a Green Beret outpost near Tai Dinh (sp?). In addition, he had the chance to fly along in a C-135 on a mission to re-supply Khe Sanh, in what he termed a "joyride." If any veterans can confirm that either of these practices from U-Tapao - ground convoys into Vietnam or airborne "joyrides" - please let us know.

Thank you again for your service.

Veterans Benefits Clinic

William & Mary School of Law

Williamsburg, VA

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Hi all,

Our legal clinic is representing a USAF veteran who was stationed at U-Tapao from 1968-1969. He is suffering from several conditions which have been linked to Agent Orange.

Without documentary documentary evidence of physical presence in Vietnam, he has been unable to benefit from presumptive service connection. We are working with him to develop two potential courses of action to connect his claim to AO exposure:

1) ACTUAL EXPOSURE IN THAILAND. Our client's duties involved transporting supplies throughout Thailand, and he describes several occasions where he handled barrels that match the description of AO. According to the client, those barrels required special handling and storage. The research and primary sources mentioned on this board (e.g. CHECO reports on Base Defense in Thailand) have been invaluable, although we would like to corroborate his case with buddy statments. If any fellow veterans have first-hand knowledge of AO storage, application, or transportation in/via U-Tapao around that time, please contact us if you are willing to provide a buddy statement.

2) TRANSIENT PRESENCE IN VIETNAM. The client ran at least three ground convoys into what he believes was Vietnamese territory, namely to a Green Beret outpost near Tai Dinh (sp?). In addition, he had the chance to fly along in a C-135 on a mission to re-supply Khe Sanh, in what he termed a "joyride." If any veterans can confirm that either of these practices from U-Tapao - ground convoys into Vietnam or airborne "joyrides" - please let us know.

Thank you again for your service.

Veterans Benefits Clinic

William & Mary School of Law

Williamsburg, VA

Here's some new material that maybe of help.

carlie

Thailand_AO_Exposure.pdf

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I can't find Tai Dihn on my War Map of Vietnam-

Tai means "talent" and is also a common male first name and bihn could be any small vill and/or temple area.

If he could pinpoint the actual Green Beret outpost as in Vietnam and prove he was on this convoy somehow- this could help in prove Boots on the ground-Vietnam.

Can he proved he re-supplied Khe Sahn? I am sure that involved boots on the ground as well.

Did he perhaps mean Tay Nihn and not Tai bihn?

Does he have anything in his military personnel files as to any destination and arrivals?

Has he attempted to get some buddy statements?

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