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Date Posted: 20:36:02 09/05/12 Wed
Author: Mary Kay
Subject: Widow needs proof for VA claim

My husband, Richard W Stickroth, died of lung cancer in 2009. Lung cancer is a "presumptive illness" from AO. I have filed for DIC benefits from the VA. They are asking for proof of his being on-ground in Vietnam.

I have some, but I'm not sure all, of his DD214's. He re-enlisted in the Army at Ft. Lewis in Washington state on April 23, 1962. On line 12 of his DD214 from April 22, 1962, it says "Co. C, 1st BG 12th Inf. 4th Inf Div Ft Lewis, Wash." Sometime between 1962 and 1968, I believe he was in Vietnam. He was discharged from Ft. Polk, Louisiana in 1968. At Ft. Polk, he was a Drill Instructor. He often mentioned he worried about the recruits he trained, whether they made it back or not. He said he taught them from everything he had learned while in VN, but worried he may have omitted something that would have caused a soldier to get killed. On line 12 of his DD214 from Ft. Polk, it says "Co E 3d Bn Fifth AIT Bde 4th US Army."

Questions:
1. On his last DD214, when he retired, among the awards listed in block 13, are "Republic of Vietnam Service Medal; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal..." Do you know if these are proof of his being on-ground in VN to get VA benefits?

2. In an earlier post, someone recommended getting pay records. Where would I get those?

3. Is anyone on this forum familiar with Richard, possible having served in VN with him?

4. I believe I am missing a DD214 between 1962 and 1968. How can I be sure I have all his DD214's?

We were married 15 years after he retired from his 25 yr. military career. A few things he told me about being over there are a) he was in the Military Assistance Command. He taught S. Vietnamese soldiers how to recognize VC mines hidden in debris floating down rivers. b) at 3 different times, he was in different Huey helicopters that crashed c) he was a platoon sergeant and he was older than most of the enlisted soldiers over there (he was born in 1940,) d) while in the Army he was deployed twice and e) he said he was in the Special Forces, but I don't know at what time in his Army career this was. And if he told me where his locations were in VN, I don't remember.

When he was diagnosed with lung cancer, I wish we had talked about all these things. But at the time, I guess we didn't think it was necessary.

Thank you, Vets, for what you endured over there. And thank you for any information you can provide.

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