For most of us scattered around the United States this winter has been particular hard; it's time to think spring. 

    There is a lot of information in this issue of the Breech Block.  We hope you find it useful. Speaking of information,  we have added the Marine Corps Daily News to our "Quick Links."  The MCDN is published by Leatherneck Magazine.

    There has been much favorable comment concerning the "Olive Branch" we extended to the board of the USMC VTA; unfortunately, we have not heard from the president of that great organization.  I have heard from Rick Lewis, V.P. of the VTA but nothing from most of the other board members. Rick, Ray and I have our  sights on repairing the riff.  Your input to the president and the  board of the VTA, hopefully, should go a long way to encourage an end to this apparent stalemate.

Semper Fidelis,

Marine Corps Vietnam Tankers Historical Foundation 

USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 

Founder/President Emeritus (1999-2005)

Contact: Click here 

Marine Tanks & Ontos Action in the Vietnam War

Marches' 1965 to 1970 - Marine Tanks & Ontos Action

    We completed the month-by-month study of the Command Chronologies of the Tank and Ontos Battalions, abstracted what is thought to be the most pertinent to our involvement in the Vietnam War, and ran the product of that project in the last 12 Breech Blocks. The deeper we dig into the records the more we've found unforgiveable gaps in chronicling Tanks and Ontos action and recognition for the significant role we played in the success of the fight. And, the more personal stories we get, interviews we conduct, supported infantry units command chronologies we research, and access to sources other than the Marine Corps', the more obvious it becomes to get our book on the wire and set the records straight is a priority.

    Starting with this issue we'll reprint the CC Abstracts provided the first time around and add some personal stories and comments intended to expand on the original. We encourage you to read the material and comment on its content. You may write or call me with your thoughts. We will capture every word and put it to print whenever appropriate. As I put this little ditty together I have 60+ previously recorded interviews; many from our members provided over the past few years and many more taken right off the battlefield between 44 and nearly 50 years ago.

     "You made history. Your Foundation is making it known." is our mantra. We cannot accomplish our end of the job unless you hold up yours. I have a 13 Marine former Tanker/Ontos Crewman queue for scheduled interviews. You have until 10 March to line up with your story to have it appear in the first printing of The Book. Let us hear from you. Contact Us

  Click on links below to read the Command chronologies

 Part 1~ Part 2 ~ Part 3 ~ Part 4

Federal Way, WA 98023

Thank you!

IRS Approved Tax EIN 91-2111544 A 501(c)(19) Non-profit Historical Foundation Est. 2001 

    Each year we wipe the slate clean as to who has donated for that calendar year. All donations received after October 1, 2013 will appear in the Breech Block beginning with the January 2014 issue. Donations received before October 1, 2013 will not appear in the eNewletters beginning the first of the year.

    Thank you for your support without you the foundation cannot achieve its goals of researching, recording, archiv-ing and publishing your individual stories.

 Semper Fidelis

    Vietnam War veterans who were exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange may be at higher risk for certain types of skin cancer in old age, U.S. researchers say. Lead author Dr. Mark W. Clemens of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and colleagues said the study adds to previous evidence risk of non-melanotic invasive skin cancer could increase even four decades after Agent Orange exposure, with at least some exposed veterans having unusually aggressive non-melanoma skin cancers. During the Vietnam War, Agent Orange was widely used as a herbicide to remove jungle vegetation. It has been linked to a wide range of cancers and other diseases, caused by the toxic dioxin contaminant TCDD. "TCDD is among the most carcinogenic compounds ever to undergo widespread use in the environment," Clemens and co-authors said in a statement. Veterans Affairs recognizes and provides benefits for certain cancers and health problems associated with prior dioxin exposure during military service, but skin cancer is currently not one of them, Clemens said.

    The researchers analyzed medical records of 100 consecutive men who enrolled in the Agent Orange registry at the Veterans Affairs Hospital of Washington, from August 2009 to January 2010. Exposure to TCDD consisted of living or working in contaminated areas for 56 percent of veterans, actively spraying Agent Orange in 30 percent and traveling in contaminated areas for 14 percent. The study was limited to men with lighter skin types. The study, scheduled to be published in the February issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, found the rate of non-melanotic invasive skin cancer in TCDD-exposed veterans was 51 percent -- about twice as high as the rate expected in men of similar age group. The risk of skin cancer increased to 73 percent for veterans who actively sprayed Agent Orange. Exposed men with the lightest skin types and those with lighter eyes were also at higher risk, the study said. In addition, 43 percent of the veterans had chloracne, a skin condition specifically caused by exposure to dioxins and for this group the rate of non-melanotic invasive skin cancer was more than 80 percent. 

  The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced the phased roll out of newly designed, more secure Veteran Health Identification Cards. The new cards are distinguished by additional security features and will have a different look and feel.

  In addition to being more secure, the card has been transformed into a Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC). Similar to a typical health insurance card, the VHIC displays the Veteran's Member ID, a new unique identifier, as well as a Plan ID, reflecting the Veteran's enrollment in VA health care.

  "VA is committed to providing high quality health care while ensuring the personal security of Veterans," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "These new identification cards are an important step forward in protecting our nation's heroes from identity theft and other personal crimes."

  The VHIC is personalized to display the emblem of the Veteran's branch of service. It also provides features that make it easier to use, such as the addition of "VA" in Braille to help visually impaired Veterans, and the printing of VA phone numbers and emergency care instructions on the cards.

The card replaces the Veteran Identification Card (VIC), which was introduced in 2004. As part of a phased rollout, starting this month, the card will only be offered to newly enrolled and other Veterans who have not been issued a VIC. Then, in early April, VA will begin a three month effort to automatically issue the more secure VHIC to current VIC cardholders. VA recommends Veterans safeguard their VIC as they would a credit card, and cut up or shred the card once it is replaced. While not required to receive VA health care, all enrolled Veterans are encouraged to get a VHIC.

Enrolled Veterans can get more information about the VHIC by visiting their VA medical facility enrollment coordinator or the website www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vhic, calling 1-877-222-VETS (8387) or visiting their local VA health care facility.

  Veterans who are not enrolled in the VA health care system can apply for enrollment at any time by visiting www.va.gov/healthbenefits/enroll, Calling 1-877-222-VETS (8387)

    Employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) destroyed veterans' medical files in a systematic attempt to eliminate backlogged veteran medical exam requests, a former VA employee told The Daily Caller.

Read story

American Heroes Channel's Launch Series Premieres

Monday, March 3 at 10/9c

-- Narrated by Rob Lowe, AGAINST THE ODDS Introduces American Heroes Channel on March 3 --

(Pasadena, CA) -

    During game-changing moments of battle, one wrong move could ultimately cost the war, but lack of teamwork could mean dozens of lives lost in an instant. When faced with insurmountable opposition, the brave U.S. troops featured in American Heroes Channel's (AHC) launch series AGAINST THE ODDS, didn't retreat in weakness but banded together in strength and trust to meet their moment with destiny. Narrated by actor Rob Lowe, AGAINST THE ODDS introduces real-life bands of brothers who exhibited unparalleled bravery, solidarity and endurance on the battlefield to come out on top in a fight against impossible odds. Reliving battles from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq, these are true stories of the harsh realities of war, as told by the veterans who survived to tell. With brotherhoods so strong they turned perceived defeat into tremendous victory, American Heroes Channel is proud to announce the six-part series AGAINST THE ODDS as its launch series, premiering Monday, March 3 at 10/9c.

    "As we broaden the scope of Military Channel and propel it to its next chapter, there is no stronger series that embodies the intersection between American history and military, as there are no greater heroes than those who have served our country," said Kevin Bennett, General Manager, American Heroes Channel. "These are the men and women who personify American Heroes Channel, and we are honored to have AGAINST THE ODDS introduce our new name to our viewers."