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Updated 09 May 2012

VA recognized "Boots on the Ground" dates

SK2-Stew68-70 33 posts Jan 06, 2011 4:41 PM	The Veterans Administration requires that a Veteran who submits a Agent Orange claim prove that he or she had "Boots on the Ground" in Vietnam. Martians and other so called "Blue Water Navy" sailors seldom if ever set foot on ground in Vietnam. Their Agent Orange VA claims are denied because of it. The Mars and other ships did sometimes hold beach parties on Vietnam soil and could have entered the mouth of a river or entered the river itself. Claim approval is slowly changing as USS Mars crew members that attended these beach parties on Vietnam soil or were crew when the ship entered a river are able to prove "Boot on the Ground" for themselves and all other Mars crew members that were onboard at the time. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + VA NOW SHOWS US IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER: "USS Mars (AFS-1) (Combat Stores Ship) conducted numerous on shore supply replenishments at Da Nang, Cam Ranh Bay, Vung Tau and An Thoi from July 1965 to November 1972 with evidence of crewmembers going ashore." = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + I believe that you still have to provide evidence (like a deck log) and identify the dates and include a statement that you attended the ships party or went ashore as part of a working party or part of the boat crew. I think that the VA will process your claim and if approved will add those specific dates to the USS Mars on the list that the VA maintains. I do not know why the already approved dates in 71 are not specificaly listed. That claim for the 1971 dates and subsequent claims by other Mars crew members who attended that spcific party/landing/etc on that date should be automatically approved. The way the Mars is listed on the VA listing makes me wonder just how many other events and their dates have been approved or are pending with the VA which caused them to list us in that manner. My claim is still pending for AnThoi in Jan 69 I sent in 97 pages of log entries for every port Vietnam anchorage we made from Sep 68 to May 70. It may be that without a lot of other evidence, a statement of going ashore on a working party by Helo or small Boat or attending a ships party on the Vietnam shore some place will be enough now that the Mars is listed as it is on the Jan 2011 Va Listing mentioned above. Tie will tell. See the whole listing for yourself on the Mars links page. Go to the Blue Water Navy website and then to the complete listing. The Mars is listed in section three as I said before. The following is a list of approved and pending USS Mars specific events which did or possibly will prove "Boots on the Ground". SEE 8 APRIL 2011 REVISED LIST BELOW IN THIS SERIES OF BLOGS NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE:************ Any Martian or family member with information on the Beach Parties for the pending dates and/or information on any other on shore parties or landings in Vietnam or proof the Mars entered a river mouth or actually entering a river in Vietnam and the dates of those events should post that information on this BLOG. This would benefit other Mars Nam vets and/or their spouces with their Agent Orange claims. Feel free to contact me with questions or the information if you would prefer at kenneth_1513@msn.com SKCS(SW)Kenneth W. Stewart USN Retired 66-86 ---------- SK2(Stew)Ken Stewart Hold Capt. Cargo Hold 5 Dec 68-May 70 Last Edited on 8-Apr-2011 9:55 PM
Darryl W 22 posts Jan 06, 2011 11:12 PM	Here are the Mars Deck Logs for December 1965 to 1967. (Anchored in Da Nang, 1965). Sunday, Dec. 26, 1965 - 1456 hours to 1957 hours (Anchored in Da Nang, 1966). Monday, Feb. 7, 1966 - 1232 hours to 1642 hours Thursday, April 21, 1966 - 0930 hours to 1432 hours Friday, May 6, 1966 - 0955 hours to 1554 hours Monday, July 4, 1966 - 1427 hours to 1701 hours Tuesday, July 19, 1966 - 1216 hour to 1345 hours Sunday, Sept 18, 1966 - 1117 hours to 1515 hours Wednesday, Nov. 23, 1966 - 1646 hours to 1840 hours Sunday, Nov. 27, 1966 - 1148 hours to 2045 hours Wednesday, Nov. 30, 1966 - 0713 hours to 1133 hours Friday, Dec. 2, 1966 - 0705 hours to 1425 hours (Anchored in Da Nang, 1967). Saturday, January 28, 1967: 0841 hours to 1727 hours Wednesday, February 15, 1967: 0743 hours to 1020 hours Saturday, April 15, 1967: 0705 hours to 1306 hours Tuesday, July 4, 1967: 0840 hours to 1204 hours Tuesday, July 25, 1967: 1412 hours to 1915 hours Wednesday, July 26, 1967: 1412 hours to 1915 hours Friday, September 15, 1967: 1011 hours to 1722 hours (Was in the harbor but never anchored on this date). These are exact dates and times taken from the copies of the deck logs of the United States National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). If I can be of any help, email me. dnswetzell@yahoo.com Darryl Wetzell BM2 2nd Div./Side Cleaner/Boat Deck Dec 65-Dec 67 Last Edited on 6-Jan-2011 11:45 PM
SK2-Stew68-70 34 posts Jan 16, 2011 4:03 PM	The set of following EMAILs talk about the possibility of establishing "boots on the ground" in the 8 July 1966 and/or 18 July 1966. THIS INFORMATION IS BEING USED TO UPDATE THE ORIGINAL BLOG ABOVE. Darryl, Can you scan a copy of the July 8, 1966 "mouth of the Mekong River" ? and also the July 18, 1966 Cua Viet entries? Out of the whole list, I believe those will be the only two that will qualify MARS. I'm still looking into Phu Quac. Do you know the coordinates for Dungquat Bay? -Rossie On 1/14/2011 7:49 AM, Darryl n Sherry wrote: Thanks for all the work you do for the Blue Water Navy. I found the information about the USS Mars on line with only 3/12-16/71 and 3/22-29/71 for being in Da Nang, Cam Ranh Bay, Vung Tau, and An Thoi. I'm sending you more information for this ship from my copies of the Deck Logs from 1965 to 1967. These are the times I was aboard the USS Mars and they are the some of the highlighted years of Vietnam; Here are the Mars Deck Logs for December 1965 to 1967. (Anchored in Da Nang, 1965). Sunday, Dec. 26, 1965 - 1456 hours to 1957 hours (Anchored in Da Nang, 1966). Monday, Feb. 7, 1966 - 1232 hours to 1642 hours Thursday, April 21, 1966 - 0930 hours to 1432 hours Friday, May 6, 1966 - 0955 hours to 1554 hours Monday, July 4, 1966 - 1427 hours to 1701 hours Tuesday, July 19, 1966 - 1216 hour to 1345 hours Sunday, Sept 18, 1966 - 1117 hours to 1515 hours Wednesday, Nov. 23, 1966 - 1646 hours to 1840 hours Sunday, Nov. 27, 1966 - 1148 hours to 2045 hours Wednesday, Nov. 30, 1966 - 0713 hours to 1133 hours Friday, Dec. 2, 1966 - 0705 hours to 1425 hours (Anchored in Da Nang, 1967). Saturday, January 28, 1967: 0841 hours to 1727 hours Wednesday, February 15, 1967: 0743 hours to 1020 hours Saturday, April 15, 1967: 0705 hours to 1306 hours Tuesday, July 4, 1967: 0840 hours to 1204 hours Tuesday, July 25, 1967: 1412 hours to 1915 hours Wednesday, July 26, 1967: 1412 hours to 1915 hours Friday, September 15, 1967: 1011 hours to 1722 hours (Was in the harbor but never anchored on this date). Da Nang and other inland ports for the years of 1965 to 1967. (Cam Ranh Bay) Friday, 11 February, 1966 - 1324 hours to 1810 hours Sunday, 27 February, 1966 - 0631 hours to 1136 hours Friday, 22 April, 1966 - 1247 hours to 1609 hours (Anchored in Baie De Binh Ba, the outer harbor of Cam Ranh Bay) Tuesday, 5 July, 1966 - 1400 hours to 1559 hours Wednesday, 20 July, 1966 - 1613 hours to 1803 hours Monday, 19 september, 1966 - 1128 hours to 1424 hours Sunday, 16 April, 1967 - 1640 hours to 1849 hours Thursday, 27 July, 1967 - 1226 hours to 1400 hours Saturday, 16 September, 1967- 2106 hours to 2305 hours (Steering various courses at varrious speeds to enter Cam Rahn Bay. 2235 hours stopped engines. 2248 hours set speed 5kts. 2300 hours standing out of Cam Rahn Bay. 2301 hours recovered helo #52. 2305 hours underway as before.) (Vung Tau Harbor) Monday, 21 November, 1966 - 1510 hours to 1756 hours Wednesday, 1 February, 1967 - 0916 hours to 1308 hours Monday, 17 april, 1967- 0745 hours to 1250 hours Wednesday, 28 June, 1967 - 0829 hours to 1215 hours Friday, 28 July, 1967 - 0859 hours to 1344 hour Sunday, 17 September, 1967 - 1254 hours to 1948 hours (An Thoi) Thursday, 7 July, 1966 - 1654 hours to 1916 hours Saturday, 23 July, 1966 - 0628 hours to 0854 hours and 1025 hours to 1142 hours Wednesday, 21 September, 1966 - 0655 hours to 1118 hours Sunday, 20 November, 1966 - 1318 hours to 1730 hours Saturday, 29 July, 1967 - 1119 hours to 1602 hours Monday, 18 September, 1967- 2241 hours to 0049 hours (An Thoi, Phu Quoc) Monday, 14 February, 1966 - 2228 hours to 2307 hours Sunday, 24 April, 1966 - 1548 hours to 1858 hours (Qui Nhon) Saturday, 9 July, 1966 - 1442 hours to 1624 hours (Dungquat Bay) Monday, 28 february, 1966 - 0621 hours to 1050 hours (Cap Lay) Saturday, 17 September, 1966 - 1239 hour to 1841 hours (Chu Lai) Friday, 6 May, 1966 - 1614 hours to 2140 hours (Cua Viet) Monday, 18 July, 1966 - 0912 hours to 1207 hours (Cap Mia) Thursday, 10 February, 1966 - 0551 hours to 1040 hours (Mouth of the Mekong River) Friday, 8 July, 1966 - 1112 hours to 1218 hours and 1519 hours to 1645 hours These are exact dates and times taken from the copies of the deck logs of the United States National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). I hope this information will be helpful for you. Darryl... ---------- SK2(Stew)Ken Stewart Hold Capt. Cargo Hold 5 Dec 68-May 70 Last Edited on 16-Jan-2011 4:50 PM
SK2-Stew68-70 35 posts Jan 16, 2011 5:51 PM	Remember these VA decisions will effect all Mars Crew members who filed or will file a VA Agent Orange claim. Both Mars Vietnam Vets that are still alive and/or (the Widows of a Mars Vietnam Vet that passed away but had one of the Presumptive Agent Orange illnesses but had his claim denied by the VA) can and should file or refile a claim with the VA after a "Boot on the ground" date or dates are accepted and approved by the VA if they were a part of the crew during that period. Especially if their prior claim was denied by the VA because the Mars was considered a Blue Water ship. ---------- SK2(Stew)Ken Stewart Hold Capt. Cargo Hold 5 Dec 68-May 70 Last Edited on 16-Jan-2011 6:23 PM
SK2-Stew68-70 36 posts Jan 16, 2011 6:21 PM	RETROACTIVE PAYMENT of a Agent Orange Presumptive ilness will be decided by the VA based on NEHMER RULES: class-action case Nehmer V. United States Department of Veterans Affairs, No CV-86-6160 TEH (N.D. Cal.) applies: 38 C.F.R. 3.816 Awards under the Nehmer Court Orders for disablilty or death caused by a condition presumptively association with Herbicide exposure. Simple version of the ruling is: If the class member's claim for disability compensation for the covered herbicide disease was either pending before VA on May 3, 1989, or was received by VA between that date and the effective date of the statute or regulation establishing a presumption of service connection date of the statute or regulation establishing a presumption of service connection for the covered disease, the effective date of the award will be the later of the date such claim was received by VA or the date the disability arose. There are exceptions and stipulations that the VA has to abide by and use in determining the date disability pay is to be based on. It is not necessarily the date of the latest claim and could under this law go back years. You need to ask about retroactive pay, based on Nehmer law if applicable, once your claim is approved. The difference in the amout owed you could be significantly higher if Nehmer applies to your claim and the start date is backed up in time. If you had an earlier claim which was denied service connection because you could not prove "boots on the ground" but now your new claim is approved then Nehmer probably applies and the VA may have to back up your payments to your earliest denied claim. ---------- SK2(Stew)Ken Stewart Hold Capt. Cargo Hold 5 Dec 68-May 70 Last Edited on 5-Jun-2011 2:22 PM
Darryl W 25 posts Jan 17, 2011 11:53 PM	jUST GOT THIS FROM BLUE WATER: www.vfwpost4927.com/Blue%20Brown%20Water%20Claim%20Ships%20&%20%20Diseases.pdf List of Ships with Evidence or Suggestion of Service in Vietnam Inland Waterways Received by Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs USS Mars AFS - 1 3/12-16/71, 3/22-29/71 Da Nang, Cam Ranh Bay, Vung Tau, An Thoi THIS GIVES ANYONE THAT WAS ON THE MARS AT THIS TIME (BOOTS ON THE GROUND) WITH NO QUESTION ASKED. I'm working with John Paul Rossie, Executive Director Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Association, using the deck logs for 1966 and 1967. I'll keep posting as the information comes in. July 8, 1966 "mouth of the Mekong River" and also July 18, 1966 Cua Viet entries may be added real soon, giving anyone aboard at that time (boots on the ground) Last Edited on 20-Jan-2011 1:18 AM
Darryl W 26 posts Jan 18, 2011 11:25 AM	GOT THIS TODAY FROM "BLUE WATER": Here is the sad truth about VA claims. It is not about what really happened, it is about what you can prove happened. Last Edited on 1/18/11 Darryl Wetzell 2nd Div. BM2 Dec 65-Dec 67 Last Edited on 19-Jan-2011 11:54 PM
SK2-Stew68-70 37 posts Jan 24, 2011 7:24 PM	Mr John Rossi from the Blue Water Navy website (which has a link on our link page) has just posted the latest VA list (from this month January 2011) of eligable ships recognized by the VA for boots on the ground. The list is in three sections. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + The USS Mars is on the list in the third section for: "Ships operating on Vietnam's close coastal waters for extended periods with evidence that the crew members went ashore or that smaller vessels from the ship went ashore regularly with supplies and personnel." The USS Mars is the first ship listed in section three and states: "USS Mars (AFS-1) (Combat Stores Ship) conducted numerous on shore supply replenishments at Da Nang, Cam Ranh Bay, Vung Tau and An Thoi from July 1965 to November 1972 with evidence of crewmembers going ashore." + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + The information in my first article of this BLOG still applies. Only one set of dates, those of 1971 have been specifically approved to date as far as I know. Thanks to Shorty's (GM3 William Daniel Leneau 1969-71) wife Linda for continuing to persue the fight with the VA for Shorty's Agent Orange claim. Shorty, hope you are feeling better. Don't let em get you down. ---------- SK2(Stew)Ken Stewart Hold Capt. Cargo Hold 5 Dec 68-May 70 Last Edited on 17-Feb-2011 7:15 PM
SK2-Stew68-70 38 posts Feb 09, 2011 12:04 AM	Over the last couple of years several other Martians have talked to me about being part of landing parties that went ashore in Vietnam. They told me they would fly in or go by small boat to load or unload cargo like milk or to collect pallets and cargo nets for pickup in vertreps. The also told me they could not find proof that the event happened. Those fellows should file now or refile now based on the way the Mars is listed on the VA listing. I thinK a deck log entry showing a Vertrep or Boatrep of one of the harbor NavFacs or Bases with a statement that you were part of the crew on the Vietnam ground during the event may now be enough to prove boots on the ground. The deck log would show the Vertrep or boatrep of the shore base but would not necessarly list who did it. The only thing in the log book would sometimes be the pilot, copilot and maybe a Helo crewman. I saw a lot of this in my deck logs. But never saw more names than that. The log book will prove the event took place and your statement that you were there and involved by going ashore might be enough. The VA HQ in DC SENT A LETTER to their Service Offices: + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + "Since there is no way to verify which crewmembers of a docked ship may have gone ashore, C&P Service has determined that the Veteran's statement is sufficient. This is in keeping with 38 U.S.C. 1154, which states that consideration shall be given to the places, types, and circumstances of a Veteran's service, and with 38C.F.R. 3.159(a)(2), which states that lay evidence is competent if it is provided by a person who has knowledge of facts or circumstances and conveys matters that can be observed and described by a lay person. In claims based on docking, the circumstances of service placed the Veteran in a position where going ashore was a possibility and the Veteran, by virtue of being there, is competent to describe leaving the ship and going ashore. The circumstances also establish credibility unless there is evidence to the contrary." + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + I believe this also applies to anchorages we made. There are very few sure things in life but as my grandfather use to tell me "NOTHING BEATS A TRY BUT A FAILURE." In other words, if you do not file the claim in this manner now that the Mars is on the VA listing in the manner it is, then the VA cannot possibly approve/disapprove your claim. SKCS(SW)Kenneth W. Stewart USN Retired 66-86 ---------- SK2(Stew)Ken Stewart Hold Capt. Cargo Hold 5 Dec 68-May 70 Last Edited on 17-Feb-2011 7:20 PM
SK2-Stew68-70 39 posts Feb 09, 2011 12:17 AM	With Mars now on the list of approved ships a sailor will still have to provide a statement as to how and when he went ashore. I believe the Mars is listed as it is on the list because there were countless times when different crew members went ashore and there is not any documentation to prove it. VA Ships List is available on the Blue Water Navy site which is listed on our LINKS PAGE. I sent a copy of the list to the Fleet Reserve Association Web site and it is now their for viewing if you belong to the FRA. It is many pages long. The Mars is the first ship listed in section three. See my first blog above to see the exact verbage for Mars as it is unique. Almost every ship on the list has a few specific days listed but not Mars. I think they are finding too many to list for us. Some crew members may have gone ashore as part of a working party to stage cargo or to gather up pallets, cargo nets and pennets for the helo pickup to return to Mars after or as part of a vertrep. Sometimes as members of the boat crew. Like myself you may have been a passenger on the helo that landed and everyone got off. To perfect your claim you will need at least 3 things: 1.. I believe the deck log for that particular day showing the anchorage with boatreps or vertreps or whatever we were doing that made you go ashore is required. 2. A statement by you about what happened when and where you went ashore for "boot on the ground". 3. Whatever medical evidence you have to support your illness being claimed and remember any associated illnesses associated with your primary illness. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = I found a letter about veterans statements: Director (00/21) to All VA Regional Offices, Training Letter 10-06 dated Sep 9 2010 From Dept of VA, Veterans Benefits Administration, Washington, D.C.. Inpart it says and I Quote; "Since there is no way to verify which crewmembers of a docked ship may have gone ashore, C&P Service has determined that the Veteran's statement is sufficient. This is in keeping with 38 U.S.C. 1154, which states that consideration shall be given to the places, types, and circumstances of a Veteran's service, and with 38 C.F.R. 3.159(a)(2), which states that lay evidence is competent if it is provided by a person who has knowledge of facts or circumstances and conveys matters that can be observed and described by a lay person. In claims based on docking, the circumstances of service placed the Veteran in a position where going ashore was a possibility and the Veteran, by virtue of being there, is competent to describe leaving the ship and going ashore. The circumstances also establish credibility unless there is evidence to the contrary." + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = I believe this ruleing also applies to anchorages we made and what we did while at anchor. The deck logs seldom if ever show who did what except it will list the pilot, copilot and some crew members of helos that were involved that day and it will contain the ships and shore stations we supplied cargo to. So your statement or version of what happened is a very important part of your claim. Certify your statement. If you use the VA claim forms almost all have a place where you sign and that signature certifies the content as being correct and truthful. Make sure your statement is certified. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Guidance from John Rossi, Blue Water Navy website: QUALIFYING FOR CATEGORY THREE If you were on board a ship that required you to go ashore to pick up supplies, equipment or personnel, or to deliver supplies, equipment or personnel, you will need to furnish a fairly complete package with the following information: 1. Provide the name of the ship and its location. This is best done by submission of the Deck Logs, but Cruise Books can also be used. Depending on the circumstances of the departure and arrival of the transportation you took, there may be mention of it in the Deck Logs, but usually no names are mentioned for these routine operations. 2. Provide proof that you were a crewmember at the time. As above, there are several ways to do this, but except in special cases, it must be done using official documentation from your records or the ship’s records. 3. Provide an explanation of the reason for the trip and the mode of transportation from the ship and back to the ship. You would supply this in a statement that contains the following phrase above your signature: “I CERTIFY THAT the above statements I have made are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.” Web address is: BlueWaterNavy.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ---------- SK2(Stew)Ken Stewart Hold Capt. Cargo Hold 5 Dec 68-May 70 Last Edited on 17-Feb-2011 7:26 PM
Walter N63-67 1 post Feb 17, 2011 10:42 AM	Yesterday I received a call from a fellow Martian that the USS Mars had been added to the Agent Orange list of ships. I am trying to find this information online so I can get this added to my Agent Orange claim. Can anyone tell us exactly where to find this?
SK2-Stew68-70 40 posts Feb 17, 2011 3:06 PM	Walter call me if you want or need more info. Home 352-419-0207 or email kenneth_1513@msn.com VA Ships List is available on the Blue Water Navy site which is listed on our LINKS PAGE. I sent a copy of the list to the Fleet Reserve Association Web site and it is now their for viewing if you belong to the FRA. It is many pages long. The Mars is the first ship listed in section three. See my first blog above to see the exact verbage for Mars as it is unique. Almost every ship on the list has a few specific days listed but not Mars. I think they are finding too many to list for us. John Rossie who heads up the Blue Water Navy web site also has writen some guidance of useing a statement as to How or when or where you went ashore for Boots on the ground to help perfect your claim. ---------- SK2(Stew)Ken Stewart Hold Capt. Cargo Hold 5 Dec 68-May 70 Last Edited on 17-Feb-2011 6:34 PM
SK2-Stew68-70 50 posts Apr 08, 2011 9:51 PM	The following is a list of approved and pending USS Mars specific events which did or possibly will prove "Boots on the Ground". PENDING*PENDINGPENDINGPENDINGPENDINGPENDING 1965 PENDING: nothing at this time that I know of. 1966 PENDING: 1. 8 July 1966 Reason: deck log for that day says in part of the 0800-1200 watch entry: "ANCHORED IN 8 FM WATER, SANDY BOTTOM AT THE MOUTH OF THE MEKONG RIVER". Two Martians have contacted me for copies of the deck logs for the 8 Jul 66 date for their hearing and claim. I sent them copies of the logs and then sent copies to John Rossie of the BlueWaterNavy.org who sent it to the VA Office responsible for approving and/or adding VA Regional Office approved "BOOTS ON THE GROUND" ships and specific dates to the list of approved ships/incidents that all VA Reginal Offices use to look for already approved ships/incidents when processing Agent Orange claims. 2. 18 July 1966 Reason: entered Cua Viet based on Deck Log entry. No one has filed for this date as far as I know. 1967 PENDING: later part of 1967 Reason; one day ship's party in DaNang. The Martian Vet is still gathering information/evidence to identify the specific date(s). Claim will be submitted to VA when the research is completed. Vet is using the above 1966 deck log as he has been unable to gather any info to confirm this party. 1968 PENDING: nothing at this time that I know of. 1969 PENDING: nothing at this time that I know of. 1970 PENDING: nothing at this time that I know of. 1972 PENDING: nothing at this time that I know of. 1973 PENDING: nothing at this time that I know of. 1974 PENDING: nothing at this time that I know of. 1975 PENDING: Operation end sweep evacuation of Sigon. One Martian that I know of is working on perfecting his claim for this event period before submitting it to the VA. APPROVEDAPPROVEDAPPROVEDAPPROVEDAPPROVED* 1969 APPROVED: 28 Jan 1969 Reason; one day ship's party in An Thoi on Phu Quoc island, Vietnam. Added 23 Mar 2011. Whole crew. 1971 APPROVED: 12-16 and 22-29 March 1971 Reason; two day ship's party in Cam Rahn Bay, Vietnam. Added in Sep 2010 to the VA list of Approved Ships and dates. The party was one day on the 12-16 Mar 71 and one day on the 22-29 Mar 71 swing. 1965-1972 APPROVED: Va Listing of ships APPROVED: "USS Mars (AFS-1) (Combat Stores Ship) conducted numerous on shore supply replenishments at Da Nang, Cam Ranh Bay, Vung Tau and An Thoi from July 1965 to November 1972 with evidence of crew members going ashore." ---------- SK2(Stew)Ken Stewart Hold Capt. Cargo Hold 5 Dec 68-May 70
SK2-Stew68-70 54 posts May 27, 2011 8:16 PM	Edit The following is a list of approved and pending USS Mars specific events which did or possibly will prove "Boots on the Ground". PENDING*PENDINGPENDINGPENDINGPENDINGPENDING 1965 PENDING: nothing at this time that I know of. 1966 PENDING: 18 July 1966 Reason: entered Cua Viet based on Deck Log entry. No one has filed for this date as far as I know. 1967 PENDING: later part of 1967 Reason; one day ship's party in DaNang. The Martian Vet is still gathering information/evidence to identify the specific date(s). Claim will be submitted to VA when the research is completed. Vet is using the above 1966 deck log as he has been unable to gather any info to confirm this party. 1968 PENDING: nothing at this time that I know of. 1969 PENDING: nothing at this time that I know of. 1970 PENDING: nothing at this time that I know of. 1972 PENDING: nothing at this time that I know of. 1973 PENDING: nothing at this time that I know of. 1974 PENDING: nothing at this time that I know of. 1975 PENDING: Operation end sweep evacuation of Sigon. One Martian that I know of is working on perfecting his claim for this event period before submitting it to the VA. APPROVEDAPPROVEDAPPROVEDAPPROVEDAPPROVED* 8 July 1966 APPROVED: 4 May 2011 Va Listing of ships APPROVED in Section Two (Ships operating temporarily on Vietnam’s inland waterways or docking to the shore)"added" "USS Mars (AFS-1) [Combat Stores Ship] operated on Mekong River July 8, 1966" 1969 APPROVED: 28 Jan 1969 Reason; one day ship's party in An Thoi on Phu Quoc island, Vietnam. Added 23 Mar 2011. Whole crew. 1971 APPROVED: 12-16 and 22-29 March 1971 Reason; two day ship's party in Cam Rahn Bay, Vietnam. Added in Sep 2010 to the VA list of Approved Ships and dates. The party was one day on the 12-16 Mar 71 and one day on the 22-29 Mar 71 swing. 1965-1972 APPROVED: Va Listing of ships APPROVED: "USS Mars (AFS-1) (Combat Stores Ship) conducted numerous on shore supply replenishments at Da Nang, Cam Ranh Bay, Vung Tau and An Thoi from July 1965 to November 1972 with evidence of crew members going ashore." SKCS (SW) Kenneth W Stewart USN-retired Disabled Vietnam due to AGENT ORANGE Vet Approved by VA after 17 year fight with them. NEVER GIVE UP! ! ! ! ! ---------- SK2(Stew)Ken Stewart Hold Capt. Cargo Hold 5 Dec 68-May 70
Walter N63-67 2 posts Jun 04, 2011 7:57 PM	THANK YOU to all of you who helped provide information that helped prove AGENT ORANGE connections to the Mars. I got my letter on June 3 that I had been APPROVED on May 26. They retro'd it back to my Sept 1, 2010 application date. Thank you for all your help.
SK2-Stew68-70 55 posts Jun 05, 2011 2:18 PM	Congradulations to you Walter on perfecting your claim and having it approved. Sorry that "Orange stuff" infected you and me and many, many others. It is a big thing to have the VA recognize your illness as being combat related. Hope it helps you. ---------- SK2(Stew)Ken Stewart Disabled American Veteran Hold Capt. Cargo Hold 5 Dec 68-May 70
DP3_70-73 1 post Jun 14, 2011 12:35 PM	I submitted my claim to the VA after finding a copy of a ship's newsletter from April '71 my family received. It stated that in March '71 we stopped in Cam Rahn Bay twice for a ship's beach party, half the crew each time.
SK2-Stew68-70 64 posts Jan 05, 2012 6:08 PM	The following is a list of approved and pending USS Mars specific events which did or possibly will prove "Boots on the Ground". PENDING*PENDINGPENDINGPENDINGPENDINGPENDING 1965 PENDING: nothing at this time that I know of. 1966 PENDING: 18 July 1966; Reason; entered Cua Viet based on Deck Log entry. 1967 PENDING: later part of 1967 Reason; one day ship's party in DaNang. The Martian Vet is still gathering information/evidence to identify the specific date(s). Claim will be submitted to VA when the research is completed. Vet is using the above 1966 deck log as he has been unable to gather any info to confirm this party. 1968 PENDING: nothing at this time that I know of. 1969 approved 1970 PENDING: nothing at this time that I know of. SHIP WENT STATE SIDE MARCH 1970 1971 approved 1972 PENDING: nothing at this time that I know of. 1973 PENDING: nothing at this time that I know of. 1974 PENDING: nothing at this time that I know of. 1975 PENDING: Operation end sweep evacuation of Sigon. One Martian that I know of is working on perfecting his claim for this event period before submitting it to the VA. APPROVEDAPPROVEDAPPROVEDAPPROVEDAPPROVED* 1966 APPROVED: 1. 8 July 1966 : 4 May 2011 Va Listing of ships APPROVED in Section Two (Ships operating temporarily on Vietnam’s inland waterways or docking to the shore)"added" "USS Mars (AFS-1) [Combat Stores Ship] operated on Mekong River July 8, 1966" 1969 APPROVED: 1. 28 Jan 1969 Reason; one day ship's party in An Thoi on Phu Quoc island, Vietnam. Added 23 Mar 2011. Whole crew. 1971 APPROVED: 1. 12-16 and 12-29 March 1971 Reason; two day ship's party in Cam Rahn Bay, Vietnam. Added in Sep 2010 to the VA list of Approved Ships and dates. The party was one day on the 12-16 Mar 71 and one day on the 12-29 Mar 71 swing. 1965-1972 GENERAL: 1. 1965-1972 APPROVED: Va Listing of ships APPROVED: "USS Mars (AFS-1) (Combat Stores Ship) conducted numerous on shore supply replenishments at Da Nang, Cam Ranh Bay, Vung Tau and An Thoi from July 1965 to November 1972 with evidence of crew members going ashore." SKCS (SW) Kenneth W Stewart USN-retired Disabled Vietnam, due to AGENT ORANGE, Vet Approved by VA after 17 year fight with them. NEVER GIVE UP! ! ! ! ! ---------- SK2(Stew)Ken Stewart Hold Capt. Cargo Hold 5 Dec 68-May 70 Last Edited on 5-Jan-2012 6:19 PM
James Roy Emmons 23 posts Jan 11, 2012 9:17 AM	To all members of the Mars AFS-1 good luck on your clam. I have had my clam bounced around several times and am still waiting for a DRO approval/denial. The orignal clam was summited in 2001 and denided, with appeals filed in timely maner. Still no word. Am going through Oakland Calif office and its been the sh---st. The DRO will not respond and I got a lawyer, alot of good that did. Still the same sh--. from oakland Ca. So for all in Calif -- try to file clams anywhere but Oakland Ca. My congress Man George Miller also ask for update from Oak VA what a crock, still no ans. So the best of luck for all you guys, my clam may get reviewed this year and hope DRO can follow VA rules -- that would give me approval i hope good luck to the rest of you. James Emmons CS-2
Greg69-70 2 posts Jan 23, 2012 9:20 AM	Have picks beech party viet nam 69or70 if this would help Greg