Health Effects of Agent Orange Exposure:  A Unit Analysis
Internet Edition	December 1998
Case Study - 335th Assault Helicopter Company	by: Jack Hunnicutt

During the summer of 1998, seven hundred and twelve former members of the 335th Assault Helicopter Company were provided questionnaires concerning their tour of duty in Vietnam and their possible exposure to the herbicide Agent Orange. Two hundred members responded thus providing the data supporting this report.
This unit, know as the "Cowboys," consisted of three UH-1 Huey helicopter combat assault flight platoons, a large maintenance organization, and support staff for supply, administration, transportation and mess facilities. The Cowboys were based in several locations throughout South Vietnam’s II, III and IV Corps from 1966 until 1972 when the 335th was returned to the United States and eventually disestablished as an Army unit. Opportunity for Exposure: In addition to combat assault missions, medical evacuations, and air command and control, the unit also performed herbicide-spraying operations. Neither all of the unit personnel nor all of the members surveyed had a direct involvement with spraying operations, but they all had an excellent opportunity for exposure. Although this unit usually operated from base camps with a controlled water supply, wood framed or raised floor living quarters, and adequate hygiene facilities; the flight platoons were exposed to the jungle or rice patty field conditions on a daily basis. The tempo of operations usually had support aircraft inserting troops into landing zones (LZ) then proceeding to a standby locations to await further orders based on the ground troops activity. This standby period provided an opportunity to relax on the ground or in the aircraft, eat, take nature calls, and perform minor aircraft maintenance actions. All of these activities exposed the crews to the prevailing wind drifts, surface water, rain and direct contact with the ground. On the other hand, the maintenance personnel who seldom had the occasion to leave the base encampment had a completely different set of circumstances affecting herbicide exposure. The aircraft, which performed aerial herbicide spraying, would return from the mission thoroughly covered with chemicals from the main compartment to the extreme rear of the tail section. Little or no effort was given to clean the helicopters prior to the maintenance section performing repairs. Additionally, all personnel assigned to guard duties along the compound perimeter would frequently spend many hours in direct contact with the ground in and around bunkers previously exposed to herbicide spraying. The network of bunkers used as guard post were frequently located along a cleared area, 100-500 meters in width, separating the secured compound from the surrounding jungle or field. Although this study has no evidence of herbicides being used to clear the perimeters, herbicide spraying was the most practical means of suppressing plant growth necessary in obtaining a clear field of observation.
Health Conditions Today: Some 25 years after their return from Vietnam these veterans reported more health problems related to skin disorders that from any other single condition. Skin problems (not including cancer or melanoma) were reported by 116 individuals as a continuing problem since their return from Vietnam.
Various forms of cancer followed by heart conditions were the second and third most reported health disorders with 80 veterans reporting problems with cancer, heart or both conditions.
Although the survey was unable to establish exactly how many former members had died as a result of cancer, it was established that cancer was the cause of more deaths than any other medical condition. During a 12-month period preceding this survey, four members died as a result of cancer. Their average age was in the early fifties.
Cancer Heart Conditions Melanoma (Skin) Hypertension Prostrate Bypass Surgery Lung Heart Attack Throat/Vocal Artery Disease Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Circulation Hodgkin’s Cholesterol Lupus Stroke Soft Tissue Sarcomas Murmur Gastric Other Other
To obtain a better perspective on the frequency of reported cancer and heart conditions, consider the ratio of conditions reported for each birth year. Age span of veterans at time of survey was from 45 to 72 years old. The occurrence of medical conditions remains somewhat proportional with the actual number of veterans born in each year group except for 1944-45. This change was the result of increased numbers of veterans reporting cases of both cancer and heart conditions. There were no veterans born for the years 1926-28 and 1939.
Effects on Children: The number of children born to veterans both prior to and after their Vietnam tour was quite simple to obtain, however, analysis of the data proved to be most challenging. The majority of the veterans surveyed were too young to have families prior to their tour and had not attempted to have children. Conversely, some older veterans who had children prior to their vietnam tour did not have additional children after their return.
The difference in ages creates a difficult set of circumstances to analyze and may fail to give a clear representation of actual birth rates. However, the "Never Fathered" category is conclusive that 14 percent of the veterans never had children. Additionally, of the 424 children born, 97 were conceived prior to the father's Vietnam tour, and 327 were conceived upon return. This produces a ratio of 2.12 children per veteran.
Conclusion: It is highly probable that all unit personnel, with very few exceptions, had an excellent opportunity for exposure to Agent Orange on a recurring basis over an extended period of time. Specifically, the numbers of reported health problems associated with skin disorders significantly increased during the period while in Vietnam and continued after returning to the U.S. The complete version of this report attempts to draw some conclusions in determining the impact of herbicide exposure to the occurrence of cancer, heart conditions and birth rates. Additional discussion and analysis is necessary to identify established normal health trends, which is beyond the scope of this abbreviated report.

Order the COMPLETE report Health Effects of Agent Orange Exposure: A Unit Analysis, which provides an in-depth look at a single combat unit 30 years after herbicide exposure. This full version report includes: Color Graphics Extensive Data Analysis Additional Charts on Birth Rates & Diseases Brief History and Background of AO Outlines VA Recognized AO Medical Conditions