During the Vietnam War (1962-1971), the U.S. military used Agent Orange to clear foliage.
Over 19 million gallons of herbicide were produced, with Agent Orange used most frequently.
The name comes from the orange stripe on barrels.
Since then, veterans have developed serious conditions, including:
Burning Agent Orange barrels released dioxins harmful to veterans’ health.
The EPA classifies TCDD, a component of Agent Orange, as a human carcinogen.
The U.S. government’s negligence in handling TCDD has had severe consequences.
The U.S. Government’s Response to Agent Orange Exposure
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) took two generations to acknowledge serious health complications from Agent Orange exposure in the 1960s and 1970s.
Initially, only obvious connections like prostate cancer and respiratory cancer were recognized.
Over the years, the list expanded to include conditions such as:
- Diabetes mellitus
- Parkinson’s disease
- Spina bifida (added in 1996)
People with service connections to Vietnam, Cambodia, or the Korean DMZ can now enroll for VA benefits if they have health conditions caused by Agent Orange exposure.
Approved Vietnam veterans qualify for government-paid healthcare and financial compensation.
Until recently, these benefits were not available to those who served in Okinawa, despite potential exposure to Agent Orange.
Evidence of Agent Orange Use in Okinawa Released by the Pentagon
In September 2015, the Pentagon used the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to release an 82-page report by the U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps about Agent Orange exposure in Okinawa.
The report focused on a 48,000 square-foot outdoor storage area holding Vietnamese retrograde shipments, including toxic herbicides.
In the mid-1970s, soil and water tests in Okinawa showed high dioxin concentrations.
Despite this, the Pentagon denied the possibility of contamination until 2015. It took an 18-month FOIA battle to release these documents.
Hundreds of former soldiers in Okinawa believe they developed health issues from exposure to defoliants, including Agent Orange.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs denied these claims for decades.
Nearly 40 years passed before any former service member received recognition for toxic herbicide exposure in Okinawa, specifically at Camp Kinser.
Additional Evidence Proving the Existence of Agent Orange on Okinawan Military Bases
In 1981, Marines at Futenma, Okinawa Marine Corp Air Station reported being ordered to remove leaking chemical barrels.
Years later, these Marines showed symptoms similar to those of Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange.
In 2003, an Army report titled An Ecological Assessment of Johnston Island revealed that the U.S. military stored about 25,000 barrels of Agent Orange in Okinawa City, which were later incinerated on Johnston Island in 1977.
In 2014, expert teams from the Okinawa Defense Bureau and Okinawa City discovered an old military dumpster containing the three chemical components of Agent Orange, including TCDD.
About half of the 61 barrels had Dow Chemical Company markings, a major Agent Orange manufacturer.
Despite these findings, the U.S. government continued to deny the presence of Agent Orange in Okinawa.
Vietnam Veterans Who Served in Okinawa Who Won Compensation
Numerous veterans stationed in Okinawa during the Vietnam War have claimed serious illness from Agent Orange exposure, some winning compensation.
For example, in April 2015, an unnamed veteran testified that his exposure to Agent Orange in Okinawa, Johnston Island, and Fort A.P. Hill caused his prostate cancer, submitting photos and memorandums to support his claim.
Lt. Col. Kris Roberts, who worked at Futenma Air Base in the early 1980s, also won compensation for prostate cancer from hazardous chemical exposure.
He provided statements, medical reports, and photos of himself removing Agent Orange barrels.
Though the ruling favored him, it did not specifically cite Agent Orange as the cause. Roberts, now a New Hampshire state representative, continues to seek full disclosure from the Marine Corps about Futenma veterans’ exposure.
Do You Have a Serious Illness Potentially Caused by Agent Orange Exposure?
The cases of U.S. military veterans who developed prostate cancer from Agent Orange exposure in Okinawa should encourage others with similar service connections.
Hill & Ponton, a nationwide veterans disability law firm, invites you to explore compensation possibilities, especially if you have been denied your benefits.
Did the VA Deny Your Disability Claim?
Let our team review your case today!
Get a Free Case EvaluationCassandra Crosby, an Accredited Agent and claims advocate for Matthew Hill & Shelly Mark’s teams, reviewed the information provided in this post.
