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The Vietnam Files Mission Statement
On April 30, 2004 we launched this web site. This effort
has taken thousands of hours by many very creative and
talented people. The subject matter on this site reflects more
than seven years of effort in obtaining the documents and
records which we present to you for your review, reflection,
and consideration.
I am a former enlisted Marine and Vietnam Veteran. I
served in the Marine Corps from 1965 to 1971. My tour in
Vietnam began in early January, 1967 and ended on February
5, 1968. The TET offensive of 1968 had a profound effect on
my life, and the lives of many of my brother Marines who
served with me.
Since 1972, I have been an advocate for Vietnam
Veterans. Working to assist veterans with V.A. claims for
service connected disabilities has been a passion of mine
for all these years. In the early years, we fought just to be
recognized as needing help with service connected
problems and medical conditions. We have come a long
way over the nearly 30 years since the Marines evacuted
the U.S. Embassy in Siagon on April 30, 1975. In 1981, Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) became a recognized
and diagnosable combat condition.
After my enlistment in the Marine Corps was over,
I returned to school, and eventually graduated from law
school in 1979. I began to provide veterans with no cost
legal assistance in the never ending struggle to obtain
Veterans Benefits. In 1991 I was admitted to practice before
the United States Court of Veterans Appeals. For the first
time, veterans had a forum to address the many issues
rejected by the V.A. As time passed, the acceptance of many
of the claims that had originally been rejected came to pass.
Vietnam veterans began to obtain disability ratings and
compensation for their service connected injuries and
disabilities.
During all of this time, the burden has always been on
the Veteran to establish the events and circumstances of any
claim for service connected disability. In order to satisfy this
burden, we would try to obtain documents and records from
the government. More often than not, this was the most
difficult aspect of any claim. Until the mid 1990's the documents and records
maintained by the U.S. Marine Corps concerning units in Vietnam were
classified. Generally we would have to find someone who served with
the veteran to validate an event or circumstance. Finding and
locating Marines we served with was at best a very difficult
undertaking. Many claims went unfinished or were rejected because no
supporting documentation or witness could be located or obtained.
After the documents and records created and maintained by the Marine
Corps from 1960 to 1975, relating to Vietnam, were de-classified, we
began to make requests for documentation to validate previously
rejected V.A. claims. Formal requests for documents often took years
to obtain, only to find that the response was inadequate or
incomplete. We would again request records, and again we would wait.
This process only served to delay the full and complete application
for service connected consideration of a Vietnam Marine's effort to
obtain disability benefits.
In 2001 we where successful in obtaining the archive
contained on this web site. The cost of the archive and the
creation of this web site ran into the many tens of thousands
of dollars. The data base on this site holds hundreds of
thousands of individual documents and files. It has been a
challenge to create a web site where a user friendly format
could deliver a needed document or record to the user in a
matter of seconds.
Cost Comparison
In order to maintain this site, we must charge a user fee.
We have set the monthly fee as low as possible, in hopes of
reaching as many people who need this information as we can. In addition to
the Marines who are searching for their own history, there are those
who are searching for other reasons.
Family and friends of those who served in Vietnam, many of
whom died there. There are children of Marines who died in
Vietnam who want to know what happened. I have searched
this data base and copied records for several children of
Marine's when all other efforts to find out about their father
had failed. In each of these cases, finding out the details of an
operation or event were their Marine died has given them pride and closure.
It is with my love for the Marine Corps, and each Marine
who served in or during Vietnam, that I present this web site to all who
are interested. It is often said that "knowledge is
power."
If knowing what happened empowers you, and
brings greater understanding, we are fulfilled in all the effort
and expense we have endured to make this site a reality.
To the brave Marines I served with in Vietnam, I thank
you for helping me become a better man for the experience.
To every Marine who died in Vietnam, let it be known to all,
that they live on. They are immortal, and we do care, everyday.
May the documents and records on this web site renew their
immortality for all who read about the heroic and selfless acts
of so many great Marines.
David Prendergast
U.S.M.C. 1965-1971
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