I've spent much of my adult life in and around the United States Army. Retired from the uniform in May 1997, Federal civilian employment in March 2006, and contract support in October 2009. It's been a wild ride!
But, I also need your help. As a 1LT, between July 1974 and December 1976, I was officially assigned to Headquarters, US Army Garrison, Okinawa. In December 1974, however, I was verbally ordered and physically transported to support a US Army unit located at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base or simply "NKP" in northeastern Thailand. That unit I now believe was the US Army Element, US Support Activity Group/7th Air Force (a successor to MACV's Studies and Observation Group and Special Technical Detachment Assistance Team-158) which conducted missions and operations in Cambodia, Laos, as well as North and South Vietnam. I remained in Thailand and returned to Okinawa in May 1976 even though 7 AF, its subordinate detachments, and all of its operating locations were inactivated on 30 June 1975. The unit data record card for the US Army Element, US Support Activity Group/7th Air Force indicates the unit was in existence through at least 9 July 1976.
The US Support Activity Group was a provisional unit and did not leave a paper trail to document its existence. The PACAF order inactivating HQ 7 Air Force directed the reassignment of personnel in accordance with special instructions furnished by CINCPACAF/DP (hence, my remaining in Thailand until May 1976) and the disposition of organizational records per AFM 12-50. The only "paper trail" I can find are unit histories. None of my records (i.e., field 201 file, OMPF, medical, dental, or finance) document my presence in Thailand or combat service in Cambodia, Laos, North and South Vietnam. Ditto for buddy statements, photographs, awards, decorations, OERs, and the like.
In order to prove to VA that my PTSD was the result of combat service and that my type II diabetes was the result of exposure to Agent Orange, I need conclusive proof. Can anyone out there help me?
But, I also need your help. As a 1LT, between July 1974 and December 1976, I was officially assigned to Headquarters, US Army Garrison, Okinawa. In December 1974, however, I was verbally ordered and physically transported to support a US Army unit located at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base or simply "NKP" in northeastern Thailand. That unit I now believe was the US Army Element, US Support Activity Group/7th Air Force (a successor to MACV's Studies and Observation Group and Special Technical Detachment Assistance Team-158) which conducted missions and operations in Cambodia, Laos, as well as North and South Vietnam. I remained in Thailand and returned to Okinawa in May 1976 even though 7 AF, its subordinate detachments, and all of its operating locations were inactivated on 30 June 1975. The unit data record card for the US Army Element, US Support Activity Group/7th Air Force indicates the unit was in existence through at least 9 July 1976.
The US Support Activity Group was a provisional unit and did not leave a paper trail to document its existence. The PACAF order inactivating HQ 7 Air Force directed the reassignment of personnel in accordance with special instructions furnished by CINCPACAF/DP (hence, my remaining in Thailand until May 1976) and the disposition of organizational records per AFM 12-50. The only "paper trail" I can find are unit histories. None of my records (i.e., field 201 file, OMPF, medical, dental, or finance) document my presence in Thailand or combat service in Cambodia, Laos, North and South Vietnam. Ditto for buddy statements, photographs, awards, decorations, OERs, and the like.
In order to prove to VA that my PTSD was the result of combat service and that my type II diabetes was the result of exposure to Agent Orange, I need conclusive proof. Can anyone out there help me?
