- The issues are:

 

- The Ship – USS Dennis J. Buckley DD808

 

·        If the Buckley is identified as a destroyer that went up river in Vietnam that would become a presumptive fact. At this point in time that is not the case.

·        Without being on the list each crew member must prove that the Buckley went up river.

·        A quick look at the current list reveals that the ships that have been identified have been for very specific times.  These are shown in the following link.

 

  

 

·        Using the History of the Dennis J.  Buckley as described on this web site, it is shown that the Dennis J.  Buckley made six WestPac cruises from 1964 through 1973.

·        Each of these cruises involved activities of naval shore support in Vietnam by the Dennis J. Buckley.

 

·        Cruise 1 - 4/27/65  --->  11/3/65

 

                   - Arrived off the cost of Vietnam 5/23

                   - Arrived at the mouth of Siagon River 7/2

                     Rung Sat Special Zone

                   - Various NGFS missions, not identified

                   - 1372  5" rounds fired

                   - Giang Tactical area Vinh Province 8/6 and 8/7

                   - Bien Hoa, Vihn Binh, Kien Hoa Provinces 9/14, 9/15,

                    9/18, 9/19

 

·        Cruise 2 - 8/17/66  --->  2/11/67

 

                   - Arrive IV Corps 9/13

                   - Various NGFS missions, not identified

                   - 3100 5" rounds fired

                   - Arrived III Corps 12/19

                   - Various NGFS missions, not identifed

                   - Received letter of commendation, Phuoc Tuy Sector

                     HQ III Corps  1/13/67

 

·        Cruise 3 - 1/27/68  --->  8/17/68

 

                   - SAR 3/22 to 4/6

                   - SAR 4/18 to 5/22

                   - Arrived II Corps 7/6 to 7/16

                   - Various NGFS missions not identifed

                   - 3000+ 5" rounds fired

 

·        Cruise 4 -  8/2/69   --->  2/12/70

 

                   - Arrived II Corp 9/2 to 9/5

·        No rounds fired

                   - SAR/PIRAZ 10/3 to 10/14

                   - SAR/PIRAZ 10/18 to 10/23

                   - USAF BUMPY DRONE Recovery 12/14

                   - DRONE offloaded Danang RVT 12/15

                   - SAR 12/16 to 12/19

                   - Arrived off coast of Vietnam 1/4/70

                   - Various NGFS missions not identifed

                   - 2399  5" rounds fired,  departed area 1/22

 

·        Cruise 5 -  2/5/71   --->    8/4/71

 

·        Cruise 6 -  4/7/72   ---> 11/10/72

 

                   - Various NGFS missions not identified 5/1 to 5/28

                   - Various NGFS missions not identifed 6/4 to 6/11

                   - Various NGFS missions not identifed 6/21 to 7/24

                   - Gulf of Thiland West shore of Vietnam NGFS 8/7 to 9/7

                    - Various NGFS missions not identifed 9/20 to 9/30

                   - 13000  5" rounds fired, this cruise

 

·        The specific times need to be identifed  Month/Day/Yr)

·        This may require different statements from different crew members for the different years

·        What constitutes valid statements?

                    - Ships log

                    - Cruise Books - Is there a page that lists ports? So what does it say?
                      (Vung Tao, or Nha Be, or DaNang, etc.)?

                    - Individual logs or diaries

                    - Letters home

                    - Pictures

                    - Any correspondence that identifies the situation

                     - Affidavit Statements       

·        These items may need to be notorized

 

- The Crew

 

·        What Buckley crew members need to do

-  Were you on board during any of the above times?

The same information as above may be used in

addition to:

                             - Your DD-214

                             - Service records

                             - Did you receive the Vietnam Service Medal or

  its predecessor Armed Forces Expeditionary

  Medal (AFEM) Vietnam

                  - Did you leave the ship and go ashore - proof

 

·        What you need to do:

 

- The sooner you get started the better.

                    - Benefit coverage begins on the date you apply.

                    - Even if you are not covered you may appeal.

 

·        Who do you need to contact

                    - Your VA representatives

                    - American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars,

  American Veterans, should have representatives

  who can provide information and paths to take.

 

- Disclaimers

 

·        The information provided here is for reference only. We will add the names of Buckley Crew Members who may have applied for benefits associated with Agent Orange and are willing to share their information.

·        We will add or make available pictures or statements that crew members might be able to use for their case as we receive them and authorized to share.