T
he Indianhead
Korea DMZ Vets Eligible for
Vol 92 No 3
May - June 2011
Agent Orange Compensation
by Tim Dyhouse
(Reprinted with permission. May 2011, VFW Magzine)
Some 40 years after the fact, VA has acknowledged
that even more veterans were exposed to Agent Orange while serving on Korea’s demilitarized zone
(DMZ).
On Jan. 25, 2011, VA announced -via a regulation
published in the Federal Register - that it now pre-
Second Infantry Division Soldiers - including a KATUSA (fourth
from left) - prepare to patrol the DMZ. photo courtesy of Maj. Daniel
Bolger, from his Leavenworth Paper, Scenes from an Unfinished War:
Low-intensity Conflict in Korea, 1966-69
sumes that veterans who served along the DMZ between April 1, 1968, and Aug. 31, 1971, were exposed
to the herbicide.
Previously, the cutoff date was July 1969. VA and
the Pentagon have identified the specific units (see
page 4) that qualify for this new ruling. Possibly
30,000 vets who served in Korea’s DMZ during the
new 3 1/2-year time frame could be eligible for benefits.
VA originally estimated that benefits would cost
some $89 million for vets who served through July
1969. The new ruling could easily double that figure.
Currently, VA counts 15 diseases as being caused
by Agent Orange exposure (see “Washington Wire,”
January 2010 VFW Magazine.) The new ruling means
eligible Korea DMZ vets do not have to prove an association between their illness and their military service.
“This ‘presumption’ simplifies and speeds up the application process for benefits and ensures that veterans
receive the benefits they deserve;’ according to VA’s
statement announcing the new regulation.
VA encourages vets who served in the qualifying
units and have medical conditions associated with
Agent Orange exposure to submit applications for
benefits “as soon as possible” so it can begin processing their claims.
Veterans who want more information about Agent
Orange-including diseases and possible birth defects
associated with exposure can access
www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange.
For more information on filing a VA claim for Agent
Orange exposure, access
http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/AO/claimherbicide.htm
GIs Killed in Hostile DMZ
Incidents
From 1966 through 1969, 44 GIs were killed and
111 wounded while serving on the Korean DMZ.
If one adds seven Americans killed in hostile
incidents between 1955-63, a sailor from the USS
Pueblo killed in January 1968, 31 men of a Navy
plane shot down offshore in April 1969 and seven
Americans killed in the 70s, the total comes to 90
dead. Based on some estimates, another 211 GIs
died from non-hostile causes during that same
period in the 1960s.
Second to None in Four Wars......and Still Serving!
The Indianhead
A
memo
from the
president
After receiving numerous phone
calls in early March, it was obvious my computer had been broken
into, and a scam message asking
for money sent to my contact list. I
wasn’t thinking clearly at first, but
on the following morning, I asked
Bob at the office to send out an email to the Association explaining
it was a scam. I hired a local tech
to work with Microsoft to clear up
the problems and major headaches
caused by ‘scammers’.
Rich Schoenfeldt submitted a
letter of resignation as chairman
of the Memorial Foundation. Rich
was experiencing some health
problems and wished to step aside.
The Association thanks Rich for his
service and wishes him the best of
health in the future. I asked John
Batty-Sylvan to become chairman
and he agreed. John was elected
to the foundation at the Tacoma
reunion. The Executive Committee has approved his appointment.
As a bonus to the association, John
had planned a summer vacation in
Europe with battle sites, cemeteries
and monuments on his agenda.
While on the subject of monuments, we received information,
photos and advice from Ray Shearer about cleaning and refurbishing
WWI Second Division monuments
and markers in France. Shearer has
supplied the sites and prices to get
the work done prior to American
Overseas Memorial Day celebrations. I received input from officers
and Memorial Foundation mem-
2
bers to go ahead and have the work
done. The money comes from the
Memorial Foundation, which was
authorized some years back. As
another bonus, Ray Shearer, associate member, will speak at our
reunion in St. Louis.
Russ Donovan, 1st VP, and wife
Debra sent out a packet about the
proposed National Army Museum
to be located at Ft. Belvoir, Va.
This is a huge undertaking and
needs to be discussed at our reunion. Russ and Debra have donated a lot of work and time plus
a sizeable amount of dollars in
postage. They also designed a 100year commemorative coin for the
Division, 1917-2017. The sample
proof is a beautiful piece of work
and they are seeking input from
officers and committees as to likes,
dislikes and new ideas.
The Association received an
invitation from the Department of
the Interior to attend, or submit
input to, its public meeting March
31on The President’s Park South
which includes the Second Division Memorial. The Secret Service
and National Park Service plan to
permanently close streets that are
presently temporarily closed, and
improve the aesthetics of security structures now in place. Jack
Woodall learned that the changes
are behind the Second Division
monument, and have no impact on
our monument.
If you like history, David Ulbrich
has written a book entitled Preparing for Victory: Thomas Holcomb
and the Making of the Modern U.S.
Marine Corps. Holcomb commanded troops at the battle of Belleau Wood, and had a deep connection to the Second Division which
is described in detail in the book.
Ray Hansen
[email protected]
visit us at www.2ida.org
May - June 2011
y
r
a
t
e
r
c
e
Sez
S
The
Hello 2 ID Warriors!!!
I want to send a special thanks
to Tom Quigley and Jim Warrender for sending us new members
recently. Apparently wearing 2 ID
caps and jackets attracts the attention of Indianhead veterans. Getting new members should be one
of our highest priorities: this is
the way we keep our Association
strong. You will see in this newsletter that we have a large number
of new life and regular members.
I can put you in touch with any of
them if you want to welcome them!
We have been very busy finalizing the reunion events. We
look forward to making the 2011
reunion in St. Louis one of the
best ever! Contact me if you need
reunion information. We want to
see you there!!!
You still have time to order 2 ID
merchandise to wear at the reunion.
Remember that we do not include
shipping costs in our pricing. Merchandise sales are an income for
the Association and we lose money
if you do not include some postage
with your order! Let me know if
you need a merchandise list.
Enclosed with this newsletter are
the 2011 raffle tickets. This is our
only official fund raiser of the year.
Buy them yourselves, sell to family
and friends, we can always send
you more! Remember to fill out the
tickets with at least your name and
phone number. The drawing will
be at the banquet dinner. Good luck
and see you at the reunion!
Bob Haynes
[email protected]
224-225-1202
The Indianhead
News
from
the
Auxiliary
Dear Friends,
The Ninetieth Reunion is only
months away. Hopefully you are
finalizing travel plans and deciding
what you will eat at the banquet.
This year the Auxiliary is updating its Constitution and By-laws
which are printed on the back of
our roster. Please take time to review these proposed changes:
Sec. 1. Article III: Membership
1.a. The spouse, mother, sister,
daughter and granddaughter of
members of the Second (Indianhead) Division Association
Sec. 2. Article V: Executive
Committee and Election of Officers
2. Only active members are eligible to hold office or be appointed.
The officers shall be President and
two Vice-Presidents elected at each
annual Reunion by a majority of
those present and voting.
Delete 2.a in Article V and b becomes a.
Sec. 5. Duties of the Secretary
Add: Minutes from the annual
Reunion shall be published in the
Indianhead prior to the next reunion.
These proposed changes were
submitted by Barbara Quigley and
Tootsie Creech. If you have questions or suggestions, please contact
either one of these ladies.
See you in St Louis, Aug. 25-29!
Deborah Harrsion
[email protected]
The Treasurer’s Out Box
It’s that time of year to celebrate
the special day set aside for mothers. It is followed by Memorial
Day, Flag Day and then Father’s
Day. I hope you are able to celebrate these holidays with family
and friends.
We have no new members to
report this issue. Membership is
down this year. If your daughter
or granddaughter is not a member, why not fill out an application
and send it in as a gift? Remember, dues are only $5 a year and a
life membership is $50. For now,
please send applications to me at
1215 Roosevelt Blvd, Alice, Texas
78332-3711.
We have an address change for
Patricia Yung. If you would like her
new address, please let me know.
This year the national reunion is
in St. Louis. It starts Thursday, August 25th with the Early Bird dinner. The Auxiliary Executive Board
Meeting is before the Military
Heritage Bus Tour on Friday. Saturday we have the Lunch/Auction
and the Muster Dinner. The Auxiliary Business Meeting/Memorial
Service and the Association Memorial Service are on Sunday, with the
Grand Banquet that evening.
Start thinking about the item (or
items) you want to bring to the auction. Remember: we donate onehalf of the proceeds to the association scholarship fund. A few jerseys
from the St Louis Blues Hockey
Club signed by T. J. Oshie have
been donated. If you or a family
member is a hockey fan, this could
be a great gift!
I am updating the auxiliary roster
so let me know if there are any
changes in your mailing address,
phone number or e-mail address.
We’ve lost two more of our
visit us at www.2ida.org
May - June 2011
auxiliary sisters. Gladys Lamascus
from Texas passed away December
6, 2010. She joined the auxiliary
May 1993, and was the wife of
Andy Lamascus, 23 Inf, WWII.
Kathleen Hodges passed away
March 31. She joined the auxiliary
in 1989 and became a life member
in 1993. She was the widow of
Warren Hodges, (Maj. Gen. Ret.),
38th Inf. Please keep their families
in your prayers.
I am looking forward to the reunion and hope to see you there.
Jody Smith,
dojo.smith @yahoo.com
Auxiliary Secretary/ Treasurer
Second Indianhead Division
Association Auxiliary, Inc.
National Membership Application
I, ______________________, do
hereby apply for membership in
the Second Indianhead Division
Association Auxiliary, Inc. on the
basis of the following eligibility:
I am the ___ spouse, ___ mother,
___ daughter, ___granddaughter,
___ sister of_________________
who is a ___ current or ___ deceased member of the National
Assoc. who served in __________
(unit) from _________ (years).
My address is:
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
My phone number is:
_______________________
Annual dues
_______$5
Life membership _______$50
________________________
(Signature of Applicant)
Remit to: National Auxiliary Treasurer,
Jody Smith 3217 Grant
Pasadena, TX 77503-1362
3
The Indianhead
May - June 2011
All Korea Cold War/DMZ veterans,
U.S. Units Exposed to
Herbicides in Korea’s
DMZ, 1968-71
Veterans of the following units who were assigned
to them between April 1, 1968, and Aug. 31, 1971,
are eligible to apply for compensation based on
exposure to herbicides.
2nd Infantry Division (Combat Brigade)
Regiment Battalions
72nd Armor 1st, 2nd
12th Artillery 1st
15th Artillery 1st
17th Artillery 7th
37th Artillery 6th
38th Artillery 5th
7th Cavalry 4th Sqdn,
Counter Agent Co.
9th Infantry
1st, 2nd
23rd Infantry
1st, 2nd, 3rd
31st Infantry
2nd*
32nd Infantry
3rd*
38th Infantry
1st, 2nd
7th Infantry Division (3rd Brigade)
Regiment 73rd Armor 10th Cavalry 13th Eng. Combat Bn.
17th Infantry 31st Infantry 32nd Infantry Battalions
1st
2nd
1st, 2nd
1st, 2nd*
1st, 2nd, 3rd*
Other Units
U.N. Command Security BattalionJoint Security Area
Crew of the USS Pueblo
*Service records may show assignment to either
the 2nd or 7th Infantry Division.
4
I believe the number of KIAs in Cold War Korea to
be about 300!
I suggest that if you served in Korea in the mid
1960's through mid 1970's and suffer from any illnesses associated with exposure to Agent Orange or any
other herbicides, you should file a claim for care and
compensation with the Veterans Administration and
you should request an Agent Orange Registry Exam.
You should seek out the DAV office at your nearest
VA Regional hospital and ask for their assistance in filing your claim.
Do not file your claim direct with a VA office VSO
(Veteran Service Officer). The list of presumptive
units as detailed in the VFW article should not deter
you either. Other areas and units were also exposed.
Contact me at Association Hq. 224-225-1202 or
email at [email protected] if you have questions.
Bob Haynes
National Secretary/Treasurer 2 IDA
DoD to Lift Women in
Combat Exclusions?
A report released to the president
and Congress recently recommends 20
changes in the way the military facilitates diversity, and suggests gender
barriers be lifted on all career fields.
The Military Leadership Diversity Commission is a group of 31 active-duty
and retired officers, enlisted personnel and senior executives from major
corporations. The commission is also
recommending that the Department of
Defense eliminate its combat-exclusion
policies, which currently bar women
from combat-arms specialties and from
assignment in units battalion-size or
smaller that have a routine mission to
engage in direct combat. The Commission's final report is available on the
Military Leadership Diversity Commission website.
(From military report.com)
visit us at www.2ida.org
The Indianhead
May - June 2011
Veterans’ Administration Voluntary Service representative, Phyllis Hankins (second from left), presents a
check for $500 on behalf of the Indianhead Auxiliary to Sylvia Jackson (third from left), Chief of Volunteer
Services of the Marion, Ill. VA Hospital while Mark Deschene (left) a member of the Volunteer Staff, and Association member Chuck Hankins (right) look on. The money is deposited in the Marion VA’s Imprest Fund,
which gives one-time gifts of $50 to vets to cover needs such as food for their families, gas to commute for
medical appointments, overdue utilities, or other pressing needs.
photo courtesy of Chuck Hankins
It’s Worth Repeating....
On May 12, 1962, General of the Army Douglas
MacArthur, at age 82, delivered the exhalted “Duty,
Honor, Country” speech to 2,100 West Point Cadets.
Below is an excerpt of the 34 minute speech he gave
without using notes. To read the entire speech, or hear
him deliver it, go to http://www.americanrhetoric.com/
speeches/douglasmacarthurthayeraward.html.
“Duty, Honor, Country: Those three hallowed words
reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can
be, what you will be. They are your rallying points: to
build courage when courage seems to fail; to regain
faith when there seems to be little cause for faith; to
create hope when hope becomes forlorn....
The unbelievers will say they are but words, but a
slogan, but a flamboyant phrase. Every pedant, every demagogue, every cynic, every hypocrite, every
troublemaker, and I am sorry to say, some others of an
entirely different character, will try to downgrade them
even to the extent of mockery and ridicule.
But these are some of the things they do. They
build your basic character. They mold you for your
future roles as the custodians of the nation’s defense.
They make you strong enough to know when you are
weak, and brave enough to face yourself when you are
afraid. They teach you to be proud and unbending in
honest failure, but humble and gentle in success; not
to substitute words for actions, not to seek the path of
comfort, but to face the stress and spur of difficulty
and challenge; to learn to stand up in the storm but to
have compassion on those who fall; to master yourself before you seek to master others; to have a heart
that is clean, a goal that is high; to learn to laugh, yet
never forget how to weep; to reach into the future yet
never neglect the past; to be serious yet never to take
yourself too seriously; to be modest so that you will
remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open
mind of true wisdom, the meekness of true strength.”
visit us at www.2ida.org
5
Evan Pope
HHC 1-72 Armor
2006-07 Korea
May - June 2011
New Members
Col. Thomas Webb
Division Planner and 1-506
1997-99 Korea
Richard Trainor
38 Inf Regt
1946-47 Camps Carson and Hale, Colo.
Thomas Saunders
C Co 5-20 Inf and C Co 1-506 Inf
1988-89 Korea
Paul Smith (Staff Sgt. Ret.)
G Co 702 Maint
1976-77 Korea
Jerome Lee Pionk
702 Maint Co F
1972-75 Korea
Terry ‘Mick’ Mickleson (Associate Member)
A Co 1-17 Inf Regt 7 ID
1966-67 Korea
William Zeliff (Life Member)
C Co 1-38 Inf Regt
1985-86 Korea
Russell Elder
A Co 9 Inf Regt
1943-45 ETO
John ‘Dan’ Dunne (Life Member)
A Co 1-31 Inf Regt
1981-82 Korea
Giulano Schiozzi
2-72 Armor
1966-67 Korea
James Caddigan (Life Member)
Cdr, 122 Signal Bn
1974-75 Korea
John Ivins
HHC, 122 Signal Bn
1978-79 Korea
Stephen Johnston (Life Member)
1-23 Inf Regt
1974-75 Korea
Sabrina Sanfillipo Webb (Lt. Col. Ret)
Division Provost Marshal – 728 MP
1997-99 Korea
Raymond Zorbini (Life Member)
4-7 Cav
1968-69 Korea
Dale T. Johnson
82nd AAA Hq Btry
1951-52 Korea
Died: 2/15/2011
Rest in Peace
Leonard T. Ferrell
G Co 9th Inf Regt
1950-51 Korea
Died: 3/3/2011
Harvey Aibel
I Co 38th Inf Regt
1943-45 ETO
Died: 2/7/2011
Milt Grismore
15th FA Hq Btry
1950-51 Korea
Died: 4/7/2011
William D. Clabo
Tank Co 9th Inf Reg
1952-53 Korea
Died: 2/23/2011
G. Lee Fox
38th Inf G Co
1950-51 Korea
Died: 2/18/2011
Joseph Lupo
Co D 2nd Med
1941-45 ETO
Died: 3/16/2011
James R. Jackson
23rd Inf Hq Co
1949-51 Korea
Died: 3/14/2011
6
visit us at www.2ida.org
Richard L. Kehler
23rd Inf A Co
1950-51 Korea
Died: 9/19/2010
James F. Malone
2nd Engineers
1949-51 Korea
Died: 10/2/2010
Charles E. Stalker
2 ID Hq
1951-52 Korea
Died: 11/19/2010
artwork by Siegar Hartger, Center of Military History
The Indianhead
The Indianhead
TEXAS BRANCH REUNION
Ralph Smith, president of the Texas Branch, hosted
the Texas Branch reunion in Irving, Texas, March 31st
through April 3rd. We stayed at the Hampton Inn-Los
Colinas and they gave us a great room rate which included a hot breakfast. They provided a nice hospitality room where we were able to visit with friends.
We had 29 attend with only one first time attendee.
Our first time attendee was Buddy Taylor, Maxine
Durham Taylor’s new husband. Most of our members
were WWII veterans with Ralph Smith being the only
Korean War member. Attending from out of state were
Roy and Ouida Hodges, from Louisiana, and Auxiliary
President, Deborah Harrison from Washington.
The majority of the group arrived on Friday and that
evening we had a great seafood dinner at the Rockfish.
We had our annual business meeting on Saturday
morning voting to make donations to the association
scholarship fund and the Pantry in Fort Lewis.
A big “Thank You” to Givens Forsythe, U.J. King
and Roy Hodges for their generous donations to the
Texas Branch.
We had 24 gather at The Ranch-Los Colinas where
we dined on herbed roasted chicken and fried catfish.
After dinner, we played Bingo where everyone won
a little something. Dee King won the “Friendship”
throw and Deborah Harrison won the 50/50. The Hotel donated a free two day weekend stay at The
Hampton Inn and Ralph Smith won it.
After breakfast on Sunday morning, we said our
good-byes and headed out our separate ways taking
good memories with us.
Ralph Smith will serve his second year as President
of the Texas Branch. Next year’s reunion will be held
in Huntsville, Texas or Fredericksburg, Texas, depending on what rates are offered.
Want to Contact Your
Association Officers?
President - Ray Hansen 605-361-7870
1st VP - Russ Donovan 925-686-6537
2nd VP - Lynn Hartsell 605-987-4326
Sec/Treas. - Bob Haynes 224-225-1202
Exec Comm. - Jack Woodall 610-274-1409
Exec Comm. - Byron Brower 941-637-8056
Exec Comm. - Jim Slater 603-898-7494
Exec Comm. - Aves Thompson 907-240-0114
Exec Comm. - Wally Baxendale 630-293-1493
May - June 2011
PENN-JERSEY BRANCH
REUNION
Warriors and guests from the Penn-Jersey Branch
met in Gettysburg, Pa. for their annual reunion, April
10 - 12. The shots fired on Fort Sumter by the Confederates on April 12, 150 years ago started the Civil War.
The weekend provided a good opportunity to see
friends and fellow soldiers and to relive some events
and experiences of our past. Warriors from WWII, the
Korean War and post Korean War attended.
Everyone enjoyed a tour of the Gettysburg battlefield
preceded by a talk at the banquet the evening prior by
Colonel (retired) Doug Campbell, now a Professor at
the Army War College.
Viewing a huge cyclorama of the battle and walking
through the museum provided more interest. A stop
at the summit of Little Round Top to see where more
than 50,000 casualties occurred during the three days
of the battle made a deep impact. Some members also
toured the David Wills House where President Lincoln put the final touches on his Gettysburg Address.
The weekend was a great opportunity for our Warriors
and their spouses to see and recall a significant part of
American history.
A. J. Fojt, Vice President, and Barry Napp, Secretary/Treasurer, played significant roles in the planning
and execution of the reunion. David Murphy, 23rd Inf
1952-53, was elected Secretary/Treasurer at the business meeting. Barry Napp is leaving the position and
transferring to Texas where he plans to join the Texas
branch.
Looking For......
A copy of the 1937 history of the Second Division
in WWI, by Spaulding and Wright. Contact Edward
Burka at [email protected].
Some of my fellow ski troopers who served with me
in Company L, 23rd Infantry Regiment in Fort Richardson, Alaska from 1956-59. Contact Ross Mullen at
570-596-4564.
Any American Soldier who fought in France during
WWII who would like to receive the National Order
of the Legion of Honour, the highest decoration in
France for military service. Contact [email protected].
visit us at www.2ida.org
7
“The Indianhead” is an official publication of
the Second (Indianhead) Division Association,
a nonprofit organization. It is published six
times per year by and for its members at J and L
Printers in Buda, TX. No part of this publication
may be reproduced without the written consent
of the editor. Views expressed throughout
this publication are not necessarily that of
the Association or the Executive Committee.
Suggestions and story contributions are welcomed
and encouraged and should be sent to the editor
at [email protected], or Secretary at
[email protected]. Deadline for submission is
the 1st of every even-numbered month.
Non Profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Mabank, Tx
Permit No. 23
THE INDIANHEAD
P.O. Box 218
Fox Lake, IL 60020-0218
Address Service Requested
DONATION TO SCHOLARSHIP
or MONUMENT FUND (circle one)
Donation in the amount of $ ______________
In memory of _________________________
Last known address ____________________
who served in _________________________
(Bn. or Reg.) __________________________
Who died (Month, day, year)______________
Name of Donor ________________________
Address______________________________
Donation acknowledgment in the name of:
Name ________________________________
Mail to P.O. Box 218, Fox Lake, IL 60020-0218
BE A MEMBER
Has your email address
changed? Notify the
Secretary. Ensure
your box has
ample space for delivery.
GET A MEMBER
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Second (Indianhead) Division Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 218, Fox Lake, IL 60020-0218
224-225-1202
Payment enclosed for:
Type of Membership Requested:
New Member
Regular/Associates
$25.00
Reinstatement
Currently on Active Duty
$10.00
Annual Dues
Life
$200.00
Name:_ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Street or Road___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City, State_ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Telephone Number (___________)__________________________________________________________________________________________
For better service have your newsletter e-mailed to you: ________________________________ @ _______________________
Please complete the following:
Service with the Second Division Company, Bn., Reg., Etc. _____________________________________________________________________
Date of Service: From ________________________________________________________ to ________________________________________
Where Served ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sponsored by: ________________________________________________ of _______________________________________________Branch
Make checks payable to “2nd Indianhead Division Association”, and forward along with application to: Secy/Treas., 2nd Indianhead Division
Assn., P.O. Box 218, Fox Lake, IL 60020-0218.