John E. Etter

Hello Berta and other vets. I spent time on the ground several times in DaNang. I would fly from the USS Hancock CVA 19 to get the mail and supplies. I “acquired” bladder cancer, prostate cancer and hypertension, all within a couple of months of each other. I filed a claim well over two years ago for the prostate cancer. I was denied twice. My second appeal was a year ago. Nothing. The VA says I don’t have enough evidence of being there. Unfortunately the flight logs have been destroyed and deck logs don’t specify exact aircraft or passengers that launched or where they are headed. I provided letters to my parents with the original postmarked envelopes talking about my time in DaNang. That wasn’t enough. The VA even denied that a C1A aircraft was on the ship that I traveled in. It was SN 038. I provided photos of it. Still not good enough. By the way my bladder cancer had returned. If my case, of having three things that Agent Orange causes isn’t enough I really don’t have more to offer. Any suggestions? Any advocates out there that can help me? Thanks, John Etter

Hi. I know someone who was aboard the USS Hancock (CVA 19) with me who was ship’s company in ordinance, in 1966-67. He claims that he had to “mix Agent Orange by hand”. He is now collecting 100% disability from the VA for prostate cancer because of it. He also claimed PTSD, alleging he saw his best friend walk into a prop on an A1 Skyraider. He had no such friend. I saw it happen and told him about it. First I don’t think we had Agent Orange on board and it was premixed as well. We didn’t disperse it or off load it to Vietnam. Am I correct? Thanks.