Dear Fellow Veterans of the 9th Infantry Division and its supporting units;

The 9th Infantry Division Society “Old Reliables” has been established as an organization devoted to all military men and women who proudly served their country under the Octofoil banner. The Society is a social and fraternal organization dedicated to re-establishing human bonds forged in battle and during peacetime endeavors.

Membership is open to all individuals whose military orders assigned them directly to the Division or who served in units attached to the Division. If you are already a member of an organization for one of the 9th Infantry Division's units, you are encouraged to also join the Society as it evolves into a "headquarters" structure providing contact and liaison among the various other organizations already in existence.

You are invited to join the 9th Infantry Division Society “Old Reliables”. An electronic membership form can be found at http://9thinfdivsociety.org . Once you print and complete the form mail a copy of your DD214 and a check for your membership dues to:

9^th Inf Div Society of “Old Reliables”

P.O. Box 310160

Enterprise, Al 36331.

Please note: If you were MOH or are 80% or more service connected disabled membership is free.

When you go to the website please look for your unit. If there is no history on it please feel free to send it in, and also any photos that you might like to see posted. The Board of Directors intention is to have a WebPages for each unit containing history, links and photos. We are also placing copies of the “Old Reliable” newspaper and Octofoil magazine along with other publications concerning the 9^th Infantry Division.

Most importantly for your unit is to have a representative from each contingent on the Board of Directors. We want to make sure that your unit has a voice. The 9^th was the main unit for all of us. Let’s make that a reality again. There is also a guest book where you can leave a message for someone to see if they are looking for you, or for a family member to locate information about a loved one. Or you can leave suggestions for the way you want your Society to be built up. This includes photos or stories that you want posted. We are also including a PX page where anyone can purchase 9^th Infantry Division and Mobile Riverine Force items.

All we as fellow veterans ask is that you help spread the word that the new 9^th Infantry Division Society of Old Reliables has been formed and is seeking members.

Also watch the Website for information on VA claims. We have several individuals that may be able to assist with information. This includes Agent Orange information.

A Visit Back To Vietnam

By Tom Newsome

Tom Newsome was able to return to Vietnam and will give more details in the next Newsletter. Tom was one of the officers with the 15^th Engineers that helped construct the base, so his knowledge helped define what was once home to the 9^th and MRF. Welcome Home again Tom and did you bring back enough “33” for all of us?

“It was a very interesting, but rough trip. About 30 hours of travel each way. We went from one end of the country to the other and looked at all the former base camps we could while taking in some tourist type things to get a feel for their capability to support tourism. They have some nice hotels and the same old ones that we used during the war. They have developed one nice resort north of Cam Rahn Bay, but it is having trouble attracting tourists. They are working on upgrading their road net and some has already been completed. However, the roads south of Saigon are under construction and in bad shape.

Of course, that is where I had to go to find our old 9th Div base camp at Dong Tam. It was hard to identify and I had to rent a boat and go upriver from My Tho. I had to search for the Riverine anchorage area and then find the entrance we had for the turning basin where we worked on the ships, etc. I finally stumbled on to it; so much has changed that it was hard to recognize. I then went in there and found the turning basin still in use by small boat repair companies, but silting in and pretty shallow. The old main gate road now runs through the camp to the west and just south of where the Sea wolf Helo unit was stationed. The ammo dump is gone, but the metal buildings used by the helos are still there and being used. The new road actually goes west and bridges the canal on the west side of the camp and continues. So, you can get on some of the old camp, but not the small portion being used by the NVA, which seems to be around the DTOC area. They seem to have stripped out all the wood buildings and the jungle has reclaimed most of the camp to include huge trees and lots of normal jungle.

We visited other camps such as Eagle, Carol, Rock Pile, SF camps, Black Virgin Mountain, etc, etc. All had been stripped and mostly nothing remained. We visited the Consulate and were briefed and well treated. The old embassy building has been torn down and some new single story buildings erected. The Cam Rahn Bay base is still there, but the Russians have left and there is some talk of inviting us back to station the Pacific fleet there! What a turn of events that would be! Saigon is about the same, only bigger as the population has exploded and it is moving south. The economy is doing well and the $ is accepted everywhere. The communist government seems willing to accept this and lets it continue. May be we won after all. Over all it was a very worthwhile trip and we had a great group of 11 vets that went. The 1st, 9th, 25th, 82nd, 101st, marines and helo units were represented. I'll be glad to answer questions if you have any”.

Tom Newsome

On Behalf of the Board of Directors we ask you to Please look at our site and let us know of any information that you would like to see added. We are discussing a reunion at this point in 2005. Should there be more members to support one sooner certainly we will examine every possibility.

Should your unit not be listed on the Website please let us know. We of all people do not want to miss anyone’s unit.

NOTES:

NOTE: On Behalf of the Board of Directors we would also like to clarify our relationship with the MRFA. There is no intention to take anything away from that organization. If anything we certainly endorse dual membership for those who wish to be part of both. The majority of Board members are dual members and enjoy the benefits and history of the MRFA and can only hope to build a 9^th Inf Div Society that equals the status and quality of the MRFA.

The site for the MRFA is http://www.mrfa.org

Also everything we put on the Website will be sent to the

Vietnam Museum in Texas for preservation in the archives.

http://www.vietnam.ttu.edu

History of the Octofoil Patch

The Octofoil shoulder patch of the 9^th Infantry Division dates from the 15^th Century when it was customary for each son in a family to have an individual mark of distinction. Under the rules of heraldry there are eight foils or positions. The Octofoil went to the ninth son, symbolic of him being surrounded by eight brothers. The symbolism of the Octofoil makes it a logical and correct insignia for the 9^th Infantry Division. The red quarterfoil of the patch alludes to the Artillery, while the blue one represents the Infantry.

More History Regarding the 9^th

The 9^th Infantry Division arrived in Vietnam on 16 Dec 66 from Ft Riley, KS and departed Vietnam for Ft Lewis, WA on 27 Aug 69.

Div Commanders: Rep of Vietnam	Dates:
MG George S. Eckhardt	Dec 66
MG George G. O’Connor	Jun 67
MG Julian J. Ewell	Feb 68
MG Harris W. Hollis	Apr 69

Div HQ’s:	Dates:
Bear Cat	Dec 66 – Jul 68
Don Tam	Aug 68 – Aug 69

On 26 July 69, the 3^rd Bde, 9ID was OPCON to the 25^th ID and remained in Vietnam until 11 Oct 70 when it went to Ft Lewis, WA. The Bde was located at Tan An.

Div Commanders:	Dates:
COL Andrew J. Gatsis	Sep 69
COL Walworth F. Williams	Mar 70
Div HQ’s:	Dates:
(1^st Bde, 5^th ID M)	69-70
Quang Tri	69-70

Campaign Participation Credit

Vietnam

Counteroffensive Tet Counteroffensive Counteroffensive, Phase VI Winter-Spring 1970

Counteroffensive, Phase II Counteroffensive, Phase IV Tet 69/Counteroffensive Sanctuary Counteroffensive

Counteroffensive, Phase III Counteroffensive, Phase V Summer-Fall 1969 Counteroffensive, Phase VII

This is a listing of 9^th Infantry Division infantry battalions and their assignment to brigades; included are all assigned support units along with dates of deployment in Vietnam.

Activated 1 Feb 1966 for service in Vietnam and sent there Dec 1966 – Jan 1967; the division served in III and IV CTZ, and its 2^nd Brigade was the Army component of the Mobile Riverine Force. Division headquarters was at Bear Cat Dec 1966 – Jul 1968 and Dong Tam Aug 1968 – Aug 1969. The 9^th Infantry began withdrawing in summer 1969, leaving its 3^rd Brigade behind as a separate unit (under command of 25^th Infantry Division) until Oct 1970.

Hq and Hq Co, 9^th Inf Div Dec 1966 – Aug 1969

Hq and Hq Co, 1^st Bde, 9^th Inf Div Jan 1967 – Aug 1969

Hq and Hq Co, 2^nd Bde, 9^th Inf Div Jan 1967 – Jul 1969

Hq and Hq Co, 3^rd Bde, 9^th Inf Div Dec 1966 – Oct 1970*

Hq and Hq Bty, Div Artillery 19 Dec 1966 – 18 Aug 1969

Hq and Hq Co, Div Support Command 19 Dec 1966 – 27 Aug 1969

6^th Bn/31^st Inf Apr 1968 – Oct 1970* Began with 3^rd Bde

2^nd Bn/39^th Inf Jan 1967 – Aug 1969 Began with 1^st Bde

3^rd Bn/39^th Inf Jan 1967 – Aug 1969 Began with 3^rd Bde

4^th Bn/39^th Inf Jan 1967 – Jul 1969 Began with 1^st Bde

2^nd Bn/47^th Inf (Mech) Jan 1967 – Oct 1970* Began with 2^nd Bde

3^rd Bn/47^th Inf (Riverine) Jan 1967 – Jul 1969 Began with 2^nd Bde

4^th Bn/47^th Inf (Riverine) Jan 1967 – Jul 1969 Began with 2^nd Bde

2^nd Bn/60^th Inf Dec 1966 – Oct 1970* Began with 3^rd Bde

3^rd Bn/60^th Inf (Riverine) Dec 1966 – Jul 1969 Began with 3^rd Bde

5^th Bn/60^th Inf (Mech)¹ Dec 1966 – Oct 1970* Began with 3^rd Bde

Co E/50^th Inf Co E/75^th Inf² Dec 1967 – Aug 1969

Co E/75^th Inf Oct 1969 – Oct 1970*

3^rd Sqn/5^th Cav Feb 1967 – Nov 1971³

9^th Avn Bn Jan 1967 – Aug 1969

2^nd Bn/4^th Art (105mm How) Jan 1967 – Oct 1970*

1^st Bn/11^th Art (105mm How) Jan 1967 – Aug 1969

3^rd Bn/34^th Art (105mm How) (Riverine) Dec 1966 – Jul 1969

1^st Bn/84^th Art (155mm How/8” How) Feb 1967 – Aug 1969

15^th Engr Bn Oct 1966 – Aug 1969

571^st Engr Co Oct 1969 – Oct 1970**

9^th Medical Bn 4 Jan 1967 – 18 Aug 1969

9^th Signal Bn 19 Dec 1966 – 19 Aug 1969

9^th Supply and Transport Bn 16 Dec 1966 – 23 Aug 1969

709^th Maint Bn 26 Jan 1967 – 20 Aug 1969

9^th Admin Co 30 Dec 1966 – 26 Aug 1969

9^th MP Co 19 Dec 1966 – 25 Sep 1969

335^th ASA Co 12 Jan 1967 – 5 Apr 1971

99^th Support Bn 1 July 1969 – 12 Oct 1970**

² Co E/50^th Infantry (LRP) inactivated 1 Feb 1969 and assets used to form Co E/75^th Infantry (Ranger)

³ Remained with the separate 3^rd Brigade, 9^th Infantry Division until that unit left, then served as GHQ unit, moving to the 1 CTZ in the north

Rather than tell a “War Story” how about the way to obtain the benefits from the Veterans Administration. Some of the health issues you have may be related to your time in service. You need to read this as least twice – then save it to begin a claim or file an appeal on a decision if you feel you need to upgrade your current status with the VA.

1. Gather all the military, private and VA medical records and have copies made.

2. Review your military records and make a list of every ailment you had while on active duty.

3. Cross-reference all your military ailments with your civilian ailments. If the problem persists or a secondary issue has cropped up as a result of the issue that developed during your time in the military, then you need to apply for that issue (as a secondary issue). Also if you were affected by Agent Orange, Project Shad, etc anything that may have caused an illness affecting your health and ability to function normally.

4. Go to the VA web site and download all the Fast Letters, Memo’s and any other documentation that will support your case.

5. Go to the DAV, PAV, and any other VSO web sites and bookmark them (and download anything related to your claims). Also many sites have excellent Agent Orange, Project Shad and many other programs you may not know you were involved in. http://vietnamresearch.com is a example that has lots of info.

6. Get statements from all private doctors or other medical provider, have them state that your problems are service connected.

7. Get statements from anyone who knows you and your issues. Have them state how the problems affect you. Your wife, kids, parents, co-workers, even the guy/gal walking along the street can contribute! All their statements are evidence that must be considered.

8. Go to http://www.findlaw.com or http://www.veteransresources.net/database.html and look up all Court of Veteran Appeals, US District Court, US Court of Appeals and Supreme Court decisions that affect your issues. Use these sites to support your other evidence. It does not hurt to overload the initial information. Better to be covering all sources than not to solidify your claim.

9. If you have been going to a Vet Center, get copies of their records. They are independent of the VA medical system (CAPRI) so you need to get a statement or copy of your provider’s notes or both from your treating health, mental, and physical worker.

10. If you have gone to Voc Rehab, they evaluated you. Do a Privacy Act request and get all copies of evaluations and anything else (to include reports of contact – ROC). The Voc Rehab evaluations carry some weight, since they do independent evaluations. Go to http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/bookc.html.

11. If you have been seeing a mental health counselor, then get him/her to write you a statement of how bad they think you are. Plus, write up a statement on your own, let the adjudicator know about your stressors and how this affects your daily life. This is the worst you feel—do not sugarcoat it. Ask ex’s, friends, church members, etc anyone that might help verify and support your claim.

12. Current law favors the Vet. The VA fights it but you can use this to your advantage. If you are within a year of the VCAA letter your received, then you have rights to reopen old cases, don’t let that pass. VCAA = Veterans Claims Assistance Act

14. Put together a narrative that reads like a graduate paper. Refer to evidence that you collected (items 1-9). Tell your story as to how you were injured, exposed to or affected by, what you saw/heard. Compile evidence and highlight what pertains to you and your issues.

15. You are entitled to claim all periods of active duty, and reserve time; all periods covered under Voc Rehab and any injuries suffered under the care of the VA.

16. Contact the C&P office at your local VA Hospital have them mail, email or fax to you the exam criteria. Have your private doctor do the C&P exam. Make sure he is a specialist (preferably board certified) in the field. Then show him the exams you were given by the VA and the results of those. Ask him if he concurs with their exam. If he doesn’t, get him to put it in writing and cite the tests that he performed to support his conclusions. When you write it up, make sure you had the “COMPLETE” C&P exam done by a private doc and the VA doc’s refused to perform the proper tests. Under the reasonable doubt rule, you have proven your case, and they failed to prove theirs.

The VA is like a willful child. You have to lead it in the direction that you want it to go. If you let anyone else do this for you, you’re doing yourself a disservice. Most VSO’s are overworked, many will pull up a template and plug in the issues and submit a formatted claim. Which one do you think will have a better chance?

The only way to speed up your claims is for you to be dying. There is no accelerated claim process. Trust me when I say this, your situation is no worse than most. Some individuals’ claims have gone on for 20 years or longer. If you get less than 100%, file an appeal.

You tell the VA how you were injured or became ill, cite the times you went to the medical facility, and later the follow-up care you have received from your private doctor. Invoke the RESONABLE DOUBT clause as well as VCAA. Site VBA and Court of Appeals legal cases that support your claim that you are entitled to a certain percentage rating.

YES, review the ratings percentages. Think of your worst day (pain, etc) and rate yourself on that basis. After a few years your pain will probably be at that level, unless you can get the symptoms reversed somehow.

I also looked up medical studies to support my claim and provided those studies where my case might be weak to help in the adjudication process. I especially like VA or DoD or National Institute of Health medical studies.

Remember, the service organizations receive thousands of requests for representation. These organizations use canned letters that are okay, but not necessarily in your best interest. If you provide them with most, if not all, of the research it will make their life easier when they go to write the cover letter. They will know what cases to cite and can do a better job in supporting you.

I constantly hear/read about the VA messing things up, but I never hear of anyone taking the bull by the horns and doing anything about it. Most people rely on the VA to do the right thing. Don’t count on them. You have to be responsible for your own actions. If you have further questions or want more information on filing an appeal, email me at parker2@entercomp.com

A Visit Back To Vietnam

NOTES:

More History Regarding the 9th

More History Regarding the 9^th