June 10, 2005

Honorable Daniel Cooper

Under Secretary for Benefits

Department of Veterans Affairs

Washington, DC  20420

Dear Admiral Cooper:

          I recently received information concerning locations of units in Vietnam and Thailand during the Vietnam era.  Enclosed please find copies of pages from the book “Vietnam Order of Battle” which may be helpful to adjudicators trying to determine the location of combat units in Vietnam and possibly for locations of units involving claims for exposure to Agent Orange in Thailand.  I am not sure if the book is currently commercially available, but it may be a useful reference for the Compensation and Pension Service.

          I am also enclosing a copy of pages from “The Aircraft of Air America” by Dr. Joe Leeker documenting the operation beginning in June, 1963 of a sprayer aircraft “for ‘aerial application of herbicides’” in Thailand by Air America.  The plane is reported to have been disguised as a “private agricultural plane.” 

          I hope that this information will be useful to your staff and to the veterans we serve.  If you have any questions concerning this material, please contact Mary Ellen McCarthy, Democratic Staff Director, Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, 202-225-9756.  Thank you for your continued service to our Nation’s veterans.

                                                          Sincerely,

                                                          LANE EVANS

                                                          Ranking Democratic Member

cc: René Szybala, Director Compensation and Pension Service

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