VETNEWS

News and Information of interest to Military  Veterans

With many thanks to the Veterans of Foreign Wars and 

American Legion magazines, and to other sources, as indicated,

for national information contained herein.

KOREAN WAR VETERANS RECOGNITION ACT

Public Law 111-41 was signed into law July 27, 2009. 

OBTAIN DD214 ONLINE

The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) is making it easier for veterans with computers and internet access to obtain copies of their military documents. Military veterans and the next of kin of deceased former military members may now use a new online military personnel records system to request documents, including DD-214s.

Click here: National Personnel Records Center

PENTAGON APPROVES KOREAN WAR MEDAL

In August, 1999, the Pentagon gave its approval for U.S. Veterans to wear the KOREAN WAR MEDAL created and issued by the Republic of Korea in 1951 for U.N. Forces serving in South Korea.

• 1. Available to military veterans or primary next of kin.
• 2. Period of service from June 25,1950 to July 27, 1953
• 3. Area of eligibility: within the territorial waters, landmass, or airspace over the Korean peninsula.
• 4. While on permanent assignment in the area of eligibility, OR while on temporary duty in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days, OR while as a crew member of aircraft, in aerial flight over Korea participating in actual combat operations, or in support of combat operations.

With the approval of the Pentagon, the Republic of South Korea has minted 300,000 medals to show its appreciation to American veterans who served during the Korean War. Korean War veterans can apply via a toll-free number, 1-800-558-1404 (Randolph AFB) or write for forms to HQ AFPC/DPPPRK, 550 C Street W, Ste 12, Randolph AFB, TX 78150-4714.

DMZ Veterans News
===============================================

Legislation has been introduced in the House of Representarives to recognize the efforts of those who have served in Korea and along the DMZ since the truce of July 27th 1953.

KOREA DEFENSE SERVICE RECOGNITION AFTER 47 YEARS

After 47 years of defense service in Korea, U.S. Armed
Forces are one step closer to the recognition they earned
and deserve for their historically dangerous and hostile
duty.  Congressman Elton Gallegly, California's 23rd
District, submitted Bill, H.R. 1935, to the House of
Representatives May 22, 2001 to create and award the Korea
Defense Service Medal to those Armed Forces members that
have served in the DMZ area and southern peninsula including
sea and air support units from 28 July 1954 to the present.
There has never been a formal truce agreement officially
ending the Korean War by the two Koreas in spite of 47 years
of negotiation.  Only a fragile cease-fire agreement is in
place and technically, the countries remain at war.  Since
defense service began in 1954 there have been over 40,479
breaches to the cease-fire agreement by North Korean Forces.
 These incidents include patrol ambushes, attacks on UN
guard posts, attacks on work crews, artillery and mortar
barrages into the DMZ, barracks bombings, assassination
attempts, sabotage, aerial shootdowns of recon and light
observation aircraft and helicopters, night parachute drops
by agents, coastal submarine landings by large and small
commando forces, and illegal hijacking of naval vessels.  At
least 1,239 U.S. personnel have been killed, hundreds
wounded, 87 captured, tortured, and held prisoners, and
there are more than 2,300 Republic of Korea casualties. 
Forty Congressmen  have joined Representative Gallegly and
became co-sponsors of this bill.  Of the forty, sixteen are
members of the key House Armed Services Committee.  There
are several Senators, which includes members of the Senate
Armed Services Committee, now considering introducing a bill
into the Senate corresponding to the House Bill.

In June 2000 the Korea Defense Veterans Alliance,
headquartered in Dunellen, NJ, initiated this project to
bring proper recognition to defense veterans.  The KDVA is a
national organization of current and former Armed Forces
members from all branches of service that have been deployed
to Korea. The organization is regionally structured with a
region director in each of its seven regions and a director
for mass media, legislative affairs, veterans affairs,
active service members, and international affiliations
respectively.


Norm Tredway, National Chairman
Korea Defense Veterans Alliance
Korea 1955-1956  24th "Victory" Inf Div
732 752-8457
kdrrc@att.net

"Proud to Have Served...Proud to Belong"

Gulf War Syndrome Not Imagined

Brain scans show evidence of damage in vets exposed to nerve gas

By Nancy A. Melville
HealthScout Reporter

MONDAY, Jan. 1 (HealthScout) -- While debate over the possible causes of Gulf War syndrome continues, researchers now say state-of-the-art brain scans link veterans' symptoms with actual brain damage.

The proof is in the form of brain scans made with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), which shows chemical levels in the brain.

When compared with the scans of 18 healthy veterans, the MRS scans of 12 veterans with the most severe symptoms of Gulf War syndrome showed significant brain cell losses in specific areas of the brain that correlate with symptoms the veterans have experienced.

The results were presented at a recent meeting of the Radiological Society of North America in Chicago.

Specifically, the scans showed damage to the right side of the brain, which is believed to be linked to symptoms such as an impaired sense of direction, memory lapses and depression.

And damage to areas of the left side appears to have caused the veterans a more general state of confusion, and difficulties in tasks like understanding directions, reading, solving problems and making decisions.

"With this research, we've correlated the degree of symptoms and abnormality on neurological exams with the degree of brain damage," says Dr. James Fleckenstein, a professor of radiology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.

Significantly, the brain cell damage seen in the veterans was not consistent with the types of chemical differences associated with post-traumatic stress or major depression.

That's important because the crux of the debate over Gulf War syndrome has centered on whether symptoms are the result of post-traumatic stress or exposure to toxic chemicals, such as nerve gas.

Evidence boosting the latter argument includes research showing veterans with the most severe types of Gulf War syndrome, known as Haley syndrome 2, have been been eight times more likely than those without symptoms to report exposure to nerve gas and up to 32 times more likely to have experienced severe side effects after taking anti-nerve gas tablets.

More than 100,000 American service members sent to the Persian Gulf in 1990 and 1991 have reported experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, muscle pain, memory loss and sleep disorders. Collectively, the symptoms have come to be known as Gulf War syndrome.

According to Dr. Brian Ross, director of the MRS Unit at the Huntington Medical Research Institute in California, one of the remarkable aspects of the study is that it underscores the benefit of MRS scanning. It shows damage that normally would not be seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is the current standard for brain scans.

"MRI consists of measuring magnetic signal and is based on the water content of the brain, while MRS measures the chemical composition of the brain, so it's very helpful in identifying conditions like Alzheimer's disease or early brain tumors," he explains. "And when you get into a controversial area like Gulf War syndrome, MRS can really help answer some questions."

Fleckenstein agrees the technology could play a central role in solving the mystery of Gulf War syndrome.

"MRS scanning continues to validate an organic basis for Gulf War patients' complaints and disabilities, and in a more specific way than older tests in past research," he says. "The fact that findings on MRS mirror patients' signs and symptoms underscores the power of this tool in evaluating patients with these kinds of problems."

What To Do

Visit the Naval Health Research Center for more information on clinical trials involving Gulf War veterans. Also, read these clips about Gulf War syndrome.

For more information on Gulf War syndrome, read these HealthScout stories.

SOURCES: Interviews with James Fleckenstein, M.D., professor of radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Brian Ross, M.D., Ph.D., director, MRS Unit, Huntington Medical Research Institute, Pasadena, Calif.; Radiological Society of North America press release

VETERANS RECORDS DISCOVERED!!

Some 10 million duplicates of 20th century military records thought to have been destroyed in the 1973 fire have been found by the Veterans Administration. If you have been told that the records you requested were burned in that fire, you should write again to: National Personnel Records, GSA , 9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63132-5100

LOOKING TO RECEIVE THE MEDALS AND AWARDS TO WHICH YOU ARE ENTITLED?

The National Archives and Records Administration has a website which will assist veterans in obtaining the medals and awards which they have earned and to which they are entitled. The website is at NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION

Another source of information about Military Medals is: UNITED STATES MILITARY MEDALS

POW Purple Heart Eligibility

POW Purple Heart Eligibility: Former American POWs may be eligible to receive the Purple Heart medal due to a little-publicized four-year-old change in the award rules. President Kennedy started the change by signing Executive Order 11-1016 on April 25, 1962. Until that time, service members could receive the Purple Heart only during a formally declared state of war. Kennedy's order made it possible to award the medal even without a formal declaration of war. The 1962 order didn't specifically mention POWs or their eligibility because of wounds and injuries suffered in captivity. An Army policy change dated Sept. 27, 1962, allowed Purple Heart awards henceforth to members who might become prisoners of war and be wounded or injured by their captors. Neither Kennedy's executive order nor the Army change was retroactive. No former prisoners of war of any service, living and dead, who were wounded or injured during captivity before April 25, 1962, were eligible until Congress passed legislation as part of the 1996 National Defense Authorization Act. Prior to the 1996 legislation none of the 140,000 U.S. service members who surrendered to the Japanese in the Philippines in May 1942 could qualify for a Purple Heart nor were the thousands of former POWs who came later in World War II and in the Korean War. In the seven-step priority system that Congress set up for VA health care Purple Heart recipients who were in VA’s priority groups 4 through 7 move to priority group 3. Purple Heart recipients who qualify for priority groups 1 or 2 by virtue of service-connected disabilities will stay in those higher groups. Also, recipients don't have to make out-of-pocket payments, technically known as “co-payments,” for either inpatient or outpatient VA medical services. However, they are still responsible for making co-payments of $2 for each 30-day supply of prescription medicine given to outpatients for conditions that are not related to military service. To receive the award supporting documentation is required and may include copies of repatriation medical exams, or a witness statement from a cell mate, for example, stating their buddy was abused at hands of captors. Captors must have deliberately inflicted the injuries or wounds. Injuries received while on work detail, for example, probably would not qualify -- but if in doubt, apply. To apply complete a Standard Form 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records, available through the RAO/RSO offices, the Office of Veterans Affairs, or on-line at http//web1.whs.osd.mil/forms/SF0180.pdf. The supporting documentation must be included. Applications should be mailed to the appropriate address indicated on the back of the SF 180. For more on the Purple Heart's history, eligibility and information on the Military Order of the Purple Heart, visit the organization's Web site at http://purpleheart.org/ [Source: American Forces Press Service 12 SEP 00]

Congressional Medal of Honor

Of the 147 living men awarded the nation's highest military decoration, 22 earned it in The Korean War. Please visit this website to learn of the heroes who earned our nation's highest award. You will be proud!

Congressional Medal Of Honor Society

VETERANS INTEGRATED SERVICE NETWORK(VISN)

Almost three years after its creation, the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) is proving to be successful. The VA has reported that if program objectives are met, services will be provided more efficiently, saving an average of 30% per patient by FY 2002.

The Veterans Integrated Service Network was created in 1996 and formed 22 regional districts for the administrration of veteran's health care. The purpose was to improve efficiency by eliminating duplicative programs and creating a better system for evaluating the cost of providing services to veterans.

On October 1, 1998, the VA began registering veterans under the VISN system. Some veterans mistakenly thought that if they did not enroll by October 1st, they would be cut off from benefits. THIS IS NOT THE CASE. While some veterans are enrolled automatically, most veterans will enroll at the time they apply for service and many are exempt from enrollment altogether. By having veterans register, the VA is able to obtain more accurate data to better allocate resources among and within VISNs.

The registration system also eliminates the need for a veteran's eligibility to be assessed each time they apply for health care services. This should make veterans' visits less time consuming. Instead, the veterans' eligibility will be determined during the registration process, eliminating duplicative paperwork. Also, by signing up veterans, the VA will be better able to inform veterans of services they may not be aware they are entitled to receive.

CHOSIN RESERVOIR VETS: LISTEN UP!!

Excerpts are from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune of April 7,1997.

"In November, 1950, the 1st Marine Division, elements of the Army's 7th Division and a unit of British Royal Marines - 20,000 troops in all - marched 70 miles into the mountains surrounding Chosin Reservoir, part of a final drive to defeat North Korea."

"That spurred China to enter the war. Twelve veteran Chinese divisions, at least 120,000 men, enveloped the allies, whose only path back to the coast was a one lane mountain road. HALF of the 15,000 allied deaths and injuries came from unrelenting exposure to howling winds and frigid temperatures,"

For thousands of veterans already dealing with the infirmities of age, that prolonged exposure to severe cold has added a host of problems not obviously linked to battle ordeals, such as diabetes,and skin cancer.

This year, such victims are getting compensated for the first time, as the Department of Veterans Affairs formally - and finally - recognizes the long-term effects of frostbite as a service-related injury.

As many as 4,000 surviving Marine and Army veterans of Chosin may be compensated for frostbite. Many marines and soldiers, however, refused aid for frostbite because doctors were overwhelmed with battle wounds. Now, hobbled with complications, they have no records to show how and where they were frostbitten, although proof of service at Chosin may be enough.

If you are a veteran of the Chosin Reservoir campaign of  November, 1950 and suffer from diabetes, circulatory problems, arthritis, skin cancer in frostbite scars, chronic night pain and fungal infections caused by the skin's loss of immune functions. pleaae contact your local Department of Veterans Affairs Office for further information about disability payments. It has taken 47 years, but finally your disabilities may be recognized!

There is a website that will be of interest to all survivors of the Chosin Reservoir action in November and December of 1950. THE CHOSIN FEW .

An E-mail may be sent to this non-profit organization at

THE CHOSIN FEW ORGANIZATION

MIA FAMILIES SOUGHT

With more than 8,100 servicemen missing in action (MIA) from the Korean War, the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office and the military services have mounted a massive outreach effort to locate families of the missing from the Korean War and the Cold War.

The expanded outreach effort is to accomplish several goals. First, family member reference blood samples are needed to compare to mitochondrial DNA sequences from recovered skeletal remains. Secondly, family members often possess personal or wartime documents that may aid in identifying an unaccounted-for serviceman. Finally, the Military Services are seeking to keep family members updated on specific recovery operations and, if remains are recovered and identified, families will be asked to make decisions regarding the burial of the serviceman.

"We have just begun to open some doors in North Korea and need to re-establish contact with the families of unaccounted for service members. As we are able to obtain additional circumstance of lost information or recover remains from North Korea, we'll need to inform families."

Relatives of unaccounted for Korean War troops are being asked to provide their name, address and the relationship of their loved one to the appropriate service casualty office. Those offices are: AIR FORCE: (800)531-5501; ARMY: (800)892-2490; NAVY: (800)443-9298; MARINE CORPS: (800)847-1597.

Following agreements with North Korean officials, U.S. military recovery teams have found what they believe are the remains of seven Americans. One set of remains already has been identified and returned to his family in Louisiana for burial with full military honors.

"We need to know who the primary next of kin is to aid in future identifications. We'd welcome any leads family members can give us."

source: The American Legion Magazine, February, 1998 (Updated 24NOV98)

OF INTEREST TO ALL KOREAN WAR VETERANS

KOREAN WAR VETERANS NATIONAL MUSEUM AND LIBRARY The new museum dedicated to the veterans of the Korean War is scheduled to open on June 25,2000, the fiftieth anniversary of the onset of the Korean War. For additional information, please click on:

Korean War Veterans National Musuem and Library

U.S. ARMY MILITARY HISTORY INSTITUTE

KOREAN WAR VETERANS SURVEY PROJECT

The U.S. Army Military History Institute (USAMHI) is conducting a major survey project to acquire source material on the Korean War. It invites all veterans of thar war To join in the effort.

The USAMHI collects, preserves, and provides to researchers and scholars source materials on American military history. They hold more than nine million items relating to military history including books, periodicals and photographs, including one million classified military documents.

The cornerstone of this Korean War Survey is the Korean War Survey Questionnaire which asks veterans to record their recollections - an importantt source of information for historians and researchers who will use this source 50 or even 100 years from now. You are urged to take the time to complete a questionnaire which is available from:

U.S. Army Military History Institute ATTN:

Angela S. Lehr, Coordinator

Carlisle Barracks, PA 17013-5008

telephone 717-245-3225

source: "The Graybeards" Sept-Dec, 1997 THE KOREAN WAR VETERANS ASSOCIATION

For general information about your Veterans' Benefits, contact:

DEPARMNENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, WASHINGTON, DC http://www.va.org/

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR VA BURIAL BENEFITS?

All veterans with discharges other than dishonorable, their spouses and dependent children, are eligible for burial in a VA National Cemetary. The National Cemetary System operates 114 cemetaries within the United States and Puerto Rico. Those eligible for burial are also eligible for a government provided headstone or marker and Presidential Memorial Certificate.

The Department of Veterans Affairs now has a toll-free number where you can inquire about headstones for veterans and other questions concerning the gravemarker program.This new system will greatly enhance the ability to get answers to customers who need them quickly.  By calling 1-800-697-6947, you are connected to VA's National Cemetary Systems, Office of Memorial Programs, Washington, D.C.  This line operates from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM eastern time, Monday through Friday.  Service Representatives can now supply immediate information about the status of applications, headstones or marker delivery and general informatiuon about the memorial programs.

Military Funeral Honors

The Department of Defense (DoD) provides military funeral honors at the burials of veterans. When requested, funeral honors can be given at any cemetary, private or government operated. Most funeral directors make those arrangements with DoD on behalf of family members.

While military funeral honors are a long standing tradition, it wasn't until 1999 that the rights of veterans and the responsibilities of the federal government were written into law. That law, which took effect January 1, 2000, was the National Defense Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-65).

Under the new law, at a family's request, every elegible veteran will receive military funeral honors, to include the presence of a military funeral honors detail, which will oversee folding and presenting the U. S. flag and playing "Taps", either by a high quality recording or by a bugler. The law defines a military funeral honors detail as consisting of two or more uniformed military persons, with at least one being a member of the veteran's branch of military service.

DoD provides an information kit to funeral directors to help them make arrangements. The same procedure for requesting military honors is followed when burial is in a national cemetary. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) staff at national cemetaries will help, when necessary, to facilitate a request to DoD for funeral honors at VA national cemetaries.

Veterans organizations may provide military funeral honors or may assist the military members rendering the honors. A few VA national cemetaries are served by veterans groups that regularly provide funeral honors.

DoD maintains a military funeral honors website at www.militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil. Questions or comments concerning the program may be sent to this DoD address: Military Funeral Honors, 9504 1H-35 North, Suite 320, San Antonio, TX 78233-6635.

VA Adds Nearly 2 Million Records to Online Gravesite Locator

WASHINGTON (December 22, 2005) - The burial locations of more than 5million veterans for whom the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has provided grave markers are now available on the Internet, as well as theinformation inscribed on the markers.  
Online since April 2004, the nationwide gravesite locator(http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov <http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/> )helps veterans' families, former comrades-in-arms and others find thegraves of veterans. 

VA recently added 1.9 million records for veterans buried primarily inprivate cemeteries to its database.  The gravesite locator previouslycarried records on 3 million veterans buried in VA national cemeteries since the Civil War, and in state veterans cemeteries and ArlingtonNational Cemetery since 1999. 

"The expansion of this innovative program continues VA's commitment tousing Internet technology to fulfill the important mission of memorializing our nation's veterans," said the Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs.  "By adding records to our online database, VA also helps families research their genealogy and ensures that future generations of Americans will be able to honor these veterans for their service."

The new records date from January 1997, the earliest time for which electronic records exist.  The information comes from applications made for these veterans' headstones or markers.  Beyond the 5 million records now available, VA continues to add approximately 1,000 new records to the database each day.

Last year, VA furnished nearly 369,000 inscribed headstones and markers for veterans' graves worldwide. 

Internet users only need to provide the last name of the deceased veteran or dependent.  Typically, the information available includes name, birth and death dates, rank, branch of service and the address and phone number of the cemetery.

Veterans whose discharges are other than dishonorable, their spouses and dependent children may be buried in a national cemetery, regardless of where they live.  No advance reservations are made.  VA provides perpetual care, as well as a headstone or marker, a burial flag and a memorial certificate to survivors. 

Information on VA burial benefits can be obtained from national cemetery offices, from a VA Web site at www.cem.va.gov <http://www.cem.va.gov/> or by calling VA regional offices toll-free at 1-800-827-1000. 

Veterans Benefits Handbook Available

The latest edition of one of the federal government's best selling booklets is now available from the U.S. Government Printing Office. Published by the Department of Veterans Affairs, (VA) Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents has been revised to include changes in the law for 1998.

The 89 page handbook provides the latest information on important changes in eligibility for VA medical care. It also describes other federal benefits, including education, disability compensation, pensions, home loan guarantees, vocational rehabilitation, life insurance and burial assistance. The booklet includes details on benefits and services for particular groups such as women and Gulf War veterans.

To obtain this booklet, send your check or money order in the amount of $3.75 to: SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The GPO stock number to order is: 051-000-00214-8.

The entire text is available free through the internet at http://www.va.gov/benefits.htm

VETS HELPING VETS

VA Healthcare Enrollment and other benefit information may be obtained by clicking on this link: VET HEALTHCARE

Veteran Compliant Hot Links Every e-mail address a veteran will ever need to contact anyone in Washington, from the President on down. The Web Warrior has provided an outstanding service to ALL veterans at this website.

Kitchen Table Gang, http://taliaferro.net/veterans serves fellow veterans by providing magazine subscriptions to our comrades in Veterans Hospitals. A worthwhile organization that needs our support. Click on the link and read about the great work this organization is doing.

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This page last updated on 6September2009