II. Ships operating temporarily on Vietnam’s inland waterways
The VA Says: “This category includes large ocean-going ships that operated primarily on Vietnam’s offshore waters for gunfire support of ground operations and interdiction of enemy vessels traveling along coastal waters. It also includes ships supplying and supporting these operations. Examples of such vessels include destroyers, cruisers, and cargo ships. The deep offshore waters are often referred to as “blue waters” and naval vessels operating on them are referred to as the Blue Water Navy. Ships in this category entered Vietnam’s inland waterways temporarily as part of their gunfire, interdiction, or support missions. All Veterans who served aboard these vessels at the time of entry into Vietnam’s inland waterways are eligible for the presumption of Agent Orange exposure.”
The Department of Veterans Affairs places a ship on this list when “documentary evidence shows that it fits into a particular category.” The required evidence can come from an official ship history, deck logs, cruise books, Captain’s letters, or similar documents. A ship can be listed in more than one category, based on its activities.
For a presumptive service connection for exposure to Agent Orange or other toxic herbicides, evidence requirements may vary depending on the dates the Veteran was aboard and what ship activity occurred on those dates.
Below is the current list of ships considered to be “operating temporarily” on Vietnam inland waterways. What if a ship I served on is not on this VA Agent Orange ship list?
• USS Card (ACV-11) [Escort Aircraft Carrier] mined, sunk, and salvaged in Saigon River Harbor during May 1964
• USS Core (ACV-13) travelled on Saigon River to delivered aircraft to Saigon during June 1965
• USS Bennington (CVS-20) [Anti-Submarine Aircraft Carrier] entered Qui Nhon Bay Harbor to pick up Bob Hope for onboard Christmas show on December 26, 1966
• USS Surfbird (ADG-383) [Degaussing Ship] conducted anti-mine degaussing operation for ships on Qui Nhon Bay during November 1967 and August 1969 (see other category)
• USS Wrangell (AE-12) [Auxiliary Explosive, Ammunition Ship] entered Mekong River Delta to supply ammunition for US Coast Guard vessel on November 21, 1968
• USS Firedrake (AE-14) operated on Ganh Rai Bay during April 1966
• USS Pictor (AF-54) [Auxiliary Stores Ship] entered Cua Viet River while delivering supplies to Dong Ha during September 1967
• USS Vega (AF-59) conducted resupply operations on Mekong River Delta September 13, 1966
• USS Mars (AFS-1) [Combat Stores Ship] operated on Mekong River July 8, 1966
• USS Niagara Falls (AFS-3) unloaded supplies on Saigon River and Cam Ranh Bay, April 22-25, 1968
• USS Arikara (ATF-98) [Fleet Ocean Tug] assisted with salvage operations on Saigon River during August 1966
• USS Estes (AGC-12) [Amphibious Force Flagship] entered Qui Nhon Bay during June 1965 and anchored in Mekong River during January 1967
• USS Tanner (AGS-15) [Mapping Survey Ship] conducted surveys of Mekong River Delta and other coastal areas and rivers from October 1966 through 1968
• USS Maury (AGS-16) conducted surveys of Mekong River Delta and other coastal areas and rivers from November 1965 through 1969
• USS Sheldrake (AGS-19) conducted sounding surveys of Vietnam coastal and inland waterways October 1967 through March 1968
• USS Serrano (AGS-24) conducted mapping surveys of Mekong River Delta and other coastal and river areas from 1966 through 1969
• USS Towhee (AGS-28) conducted sounding surveys of Vietnam coastal and inland waterways October 1967 through March 1968
• USS Rehoboth (AGS-50) conducted hydrographic survey of Mekong River Delta area during December 1965
• USS Merrick (AKA-97) [Attack Cargo Ship] participated in Operation Jackstay amphibious landings while on Saigon River during March 1966
• USS Seminole (AKA/LKA-104) [Attack/Amphibious Cargo Ship] docked in Saigon during July 1962; operated on Saigon River channel on March 4, 1967; and entered Cua Viet River on May 26, 1967
• USS Union (AKA/LKA-106) anchored in Hue River while conducting operations during April 1965
• USS St. Louis (AKA/LKA-116) operated on Ganh Rai Bay during March 9, 1971
• USS Pollux (AKS-4) [General Stores Ship] delivered supplies while in Ganh Rai Bay on April 4. 1966, June 14, August 16, and October 31, 1967, and January 5, March 14, April 5, May 29, June 18, August 5, and October 10, 1968
• USS Guadalupe (AO-32) [Oiler] operated on Ganh Rai Bay during April 1966
• USS Kennebec (AO-36) provided fuel to vessels while in Ganh Rai Bay during August 1969
• USS Ponchatoula (AO-148) operated on Mekong River Delta during July 1971
• USS George Clymer (APA-27) [Amphibious Attack Transport] navigated Saigon River to Saigon Port during January 1963
• USS Calvert (APA-32) entered Qui Nhon Bay during October 1965 (see other category)
• USS Cavalier (APA-37) entered Qui Nhon Bay on February 2, 1968 (see other category)
• USS Magoffin (APA-199) entered Qui Nhon Bay to offload troops during October 23-24, 1965 (see other category)
• USS Talladega (APA-208) operated on Saigon River during October 1967
• USS Navarro (APA-215) transported Thai “Queen’s Cobras” troops from Thailand to Saigon via Saigon River during September 1967
• USS Okanogan (APA-220) navigated Saigon River to Saigon for delivery of Thai troops during August 1968
• USS Pickaway (APA-222) operated on Rung Sat Special Zone from March 31 to April 5, 196
• USS Paul Revere (APA-248) assisted with salvage of the USS Card (ACV-11) in Saigon Harbor on Saigon River during May 1964 and transported Korean troops through Qui Nhon Bay during October-November 1965
• USS Weiss (APD/LPR-135) [High Speed Transport/Small Amphibious Transport] conducted inland waterway troop-landing operations with Marine and SEAL units at various locations in the Mekong River Delta, Rung Sat Special Zone, and Saigon River and routinely surveyed river mouths and canal entrances for amphibious landings from November 1965 through February 1969
• USS Markab (AR-23) [Repair Ship] conducted repair operations on Ganh Rai Bay during November 1967
• USS Current (ARS-22) [Salvage Ship] conducted salvage operations on Saigon River during July 1964 and April 1967 and Qui Nhon • Bay during May 1967 and August 1971
• USS Grasp (ARS-24) conducted salvaging operations on Song Cua Dia River and other inland waters from February through April 1969
• USS Safeguard (ARS-25) operated on Ganh Rai Bay and Mekong River Delta during December 8, 1965
• USS Bolster (ARS-38) crew operated on land to extract USS Clark County (LST-601) from beach after grounding at Duc Pho from November 18 to December 1, 1967
• USS Reclaimer (ARS-42) operated in Saigon Harbor to salvage USS Card (ACV-11) from sinking in Saigon River during May 1964 and in Rung Sat Special Zone of Mekong River Delta salvaging ships during early 1966
• USS Chanticleer (ASR-7) [Submarine Rescue/Salvage Ship] traveled up the Saigon River and docked at Saigon during February 1963
• USS Tillamook (ATA-192) [Auxiliary Ocean Tug] operated on Qui Nhon Bay during April 1965 and on Long Tau branch of Saigon River during January 1966
• USS Mahopac (ATA-196) moored in Saigon during October 6-9, 1965, and operated on Mekong River from October 30-November 3, 1966
• USS Mataco (ATF-86) [Fleet Ocean Tug] provided tow on Saigon River and delivered vessels to inland river base at Nha Be during June-August 1968 (see other category)
• USS Tawasa (ATF-92) moored in Saigon from June 30 – July 4, 1964
• USS Moctobi (ATF-105) provided tow on Saigon River with deliveries to inland river base at Nha Be during September-October 1967
• USS Quapaw (ATF-110) provided tow on Saigon River with deliveries to inland river base at Nha Be during June 1966
• USS Tawakoni (ATF-114) operated in Saigon Harbor to salvage USS Card (ACV-11) from sinking in Saigon River during May 1964
• USS Currituck (AV-7) [Sea Plane Tender] travelled up Saigon River to Saigon during early 1964 and operated in Mekong River Delta during June 1965 (see other category)
• USS Newport News (CA-148) [Heavy Cruiser] operated on Song Huong Estuary during February 1968 and on Mekong River Delta in vicinity of Vinh Binh Province during December 1968
• USS Canberra (CAG-2) [Guided Missile Cruiser] operated on Saigon River from March 31 through April 1, 1966, on Mekong Delta Ham Luong River during January 15, 1967, and on Cua Viet River ( Song Thach Han) during December 10, 1968
• USS Oklahoma City (CLG-5) [Light Guided Missile Cruiser] docked in Saigon during 21-24 July 1964
• USS Providence (CLG-6) operated on Saigon River 3 days during January 1964 and on Cua Viet River during August 1972
• USS Radford (DD-446) [Destroyer] operated on Ganh Rai Bay and Saigon River during December 1967
• USS Nicholas (DD-449) [Destroyer] operated on Ganh Rai Bay during April 1965, Mekong River Delta during January 1967, and Ganh Rai Bay and Mekong River Delta during August 1968
• USS O’Bannon (DD-450) operated on Saigon River during May 22-24, 1966
• USS Taylor (DD-468) operated on Ganh Rai Bay during August 1967 and November-December 1968
• USS Conway (DD-507) operated on Saigon River during early August 1966
• USS Cony (DD-508) operated on Ganh Rai Bay during November 6-7, 1967
• USS Walker (DD-517) operated on Saigon River during December 1968
• USS Mullany (DD-528) entered Qui Nhon Bay during June 1965
• USS Prichett (DD-561) operated on Mekong River Delta and Saigon River during August 1969
• USS Stoddard (DD-566) operated on Saigon River during September 1965
• USS Sproston (DD-577) operated on Mekong River Delta and Ganh Rai Bay during January 1966
• USS Ingersoll (DD-652) operated on Saigon River October 24-25, 1965
• USS Black (DD-666) operated on Saigon River during February 1965, Qui Nhon Bay during June 1965, and Saigon River during July 1966
• USS Hopewell (DD-681) operated on Mekong River Delta during June 15-16, 1966
• USS Picking (DD-685) operated on Saigon River during November 16, 1965
• USS Uhlmann (DD-687) entered Qui Nhon Bay during June 1965
• USS Ault (DD-689) operated on Mekong River Delta and Soirap River during May 26, 1967
• USS Ingraham (DD-694) operated 10 miles up Saigon River on November 12, 1965
• USS Charles S. Sperry (DD-697) operated on Saigon River during December 1965
• USS Hugh Purvis (DD-709) operated on Qui Nhon Bay during January 1969
• USS Wiltsie (DD-716) operated on Saigon River during July 1966
• USS Hamner (DD-718) operated on Song Lon Tao and Long Song Tao Rivers, August 15-September 1, 1966; and on Song Gga in Rung Sat Special Zone November 14-15, 1967
• USS Epperson (DD-719) operated on Qui Nhon Bay during November 1965 (see other category)
• USS Walke (DD-723) operated on Mekong River Delta during September 2, 1969
• USS De Haven (DD-727) operated on Saigon River during early March 1967
• USS Mansfield (DD-728) operated on Saigon River August 8-19, 1966 and December 21-24, 1969
• USS Lyman K. Swenson (DD-729) traveled up Saigon River for a four-day visit to Saigon during May 1964
• USS Collett (DD-730) provided naval gunfire support while in the Mekong River on August 19, 1965
• USS Frank Knox (DD-742) operated on Long Tau River during June 16-17, 1969
• USS Southerland (DD-743) operated on Song Nga and Saigon River during July 1966
• USS Taussig (DD-746) operated on Soirap River in Mekong River Delta during June 15-26, 1966
• USS Samuel N. Moore (DD-747) operated on Saigon River, Rung Sat Special Zone, and Mekong River Delta during November 1965 and September-December 1968
• USS Lofberg (DD-759) operated on Song Nha Be River during February 18-21 and April 14-15, 1969 and on Song Cua Dai River during April 10-12, 1969
• USS Strong (DD-758) operated in Mekong River Delta and Rung Sat Special Zone during April 1968
• USS John W. Thomason (DD-760) operated on Mekong River Delta for Operation Deck House III during August 1966 and on Nga Be River during 1969
• USS Buck (DD-761) operated on Mekong River Delta and Saigon River during October 1966
• USS Lloyd Thomas (DD-764) operated on Ganh Rai Bay and Saigon River area during December 28, 1970
• USS Lowry (DD-770) operated on Mekong River Delta during October 1968
• USS De Haven (DD-727) operated on Mekong River September 1, 1963
• USS Douglas H. Fox (DD-779) operated on Ganh Rai Bay and Rung Sat Special Zone during March 16-20, 1969
• USS Rowan (DD-782) operated on Song Tra Khuc River and Qui Nhon Bay from April through July 1965, December 1967, and June 1969
• USS Gurke (DD-783) operated on Ganh Rai Bay, Saigon River, and Mekong River during October 1966 and May 1969
• USS McKean (DD-784) operated on Mekong and Saigon River Deltas during March 14-15, 1967
• USS Richard B. Anderson (DD-786) operated on Mekong River Delta during May-June, 1966
• USS James E. Kyes (DD-787) provided naval gunfire support on Song Ca River during October 1967 and Ganh Rai Bay during June 1969
• USS Shelton (DD-790) operated on Saigon River during January 16, 1966
• USS Preston (DD-795) operated on Mekong River Delta, Ganh Rai Bay, and Saigon River during September 28 – 29 and December 27 – 29, 1965, on Mekong River Delta June 3, 1967, and Ganh Rai Bay on November 24, 1968
• USS Chevalier (DD-805) operated on Saigon River during June 15-21, 1966, and Mekong River Delta during January 25, 1968
• USS Higbee (DD-806) provided naval gunfire support from Ganh Rai Bay and Mekong River Delta during January-February and April 1966; March 1969; and September 1970
• USS Benner (DD-807) operated on Ganh Rai Bay and Rung Sat Special Zone during June 26-July 1, 1968
• USS Dennis J Buckley (DD-808) operated on Mekong River Delta, Saigon River, and Ganh Rai Bay during July 1965 and from December 19, 1966 to January 16, 1967; and on Mekong River Delta during June 1971
• USS Holder (DD-819) operated on Vung Ganh Rai and Saigon River during August 5, 1966
• USS Samuel B. Roberts (DD-823) operated on Mekong River Delta and Saigon River during December 1965
• USS Basilone (DD-824) operated on Saigon River, May 24-25, 1966
• USS Agerholm (DD-826) operated on Song Nga River and Ganh Rai Bay during March-April 1969
• USS Myles C. Fox (DD-829) entered Qui Nhon Bay during February 1967
• USS Hanson (DD-832) operated on Saigon River during July 2-3, 1965 and September 13, 1966 (see other category)
• USS Herbert J Thomas (DD-833) operated in Mekong River Delta during December 1966
• USS George K. Mackenzie (DD-836) operated on Ganh Rai Bay during February 1969
• USS Noa (DD-841) operated on Qui Nhon Bay during April 1969
• USS Fiske (DD-842) operated on Mekong River, June 16-21, 1966
• USS Warrington (DD-843) operated on Mekong River Delta and Rung Sat Special Zone during March 1967
• USS Ozbourn (DD-846) conducted fire support missions on Saigon River October-November 1965 and August-October 1966
• USS Richard E. Kraus (DD-849) operated on inland river north of Da Nang during June 2-5, 1966, protecting Marines holding a bridge
• USS Rupertus (DD-851) operated on Saigon River during April 1966 and May 1969
• USS Leonard F. Mason (DD-852) operated on Ganh Rai Bay and channels during August 1969
• USS Fred T. Berry (DD-858) operated in Mekong River Delta area on March 15, 1966
• USS Norris (DD-859) conducted operations on inland Song Nga River during November-December 1966
• USS Vogelgesang (DD-862 ) provided gunfire support while in Thu Bong River during October 18-29, 1966
• USS Harold J. Ellison (DD-864) operated on Saigon River between late 1965 and mid 1966
• USS Brownson (DD-868) operated on Song Nha Be River and Mekong River Delta during February 1967
• USS Fechteler (DD-870) operated in Mekong River Delta on September 27, 1965 and Qui Nhon Bay November 25-26, 1968
• USS Damato (DD-871) operated on Saigon River during December 12-13, 1967
• USS Forrest Royal (DD-872) operated on Saigon River during June 1967
• USS Duncan (DD-874) operated on Long Tau River and Rung Sat Special Zone during January 1969 and Qui Nhon Bay during March 1969
• USS Henry W. Tucker (DD-875) operated on Qui Nhon Bay during 1965 and August 1968 and Mekong River Delta during March 1966 and May 1969
• USS Perkins (DD-877) operated on Ganh Rai Bay during October 1967 and on Saigon River during June 1969
• USS Vescole (DD-878) operated on Saigon River during December 1965-February 1966
• USS Leary (DD-879) operated on the Mekong River Delta on October 9, 1967
• USS Dyess (DD-880) operated on Saigon River and Rung Sat Special Zone from June 19–July 1, 1966
• USS Newman K. Perry (DD-883) operated on Mekong River Delta and Saigon River November 23-28, 1966
• USS Floyd B. Parks (DD-884) operated on Saigon River and Ganh Rai Bay during February and March 1968
• USS Orleck (DD-886) operated on Mekong River Delta during July 1969
• USS Brinkley Bass (DD-887) conducted fire support mission in Rung Sat Special Zone during February 9-11, 1970
• USS Barry (DD-933) operated on Saigon River during December 1965
• USS Du Pont (DD-941) operated on Mekong River Delta during October 1968
• USS Mullinnix (DD-944) operated on Vung Ganh Rai and Saigon River during August 5-6, 1966
• USS Morton (DD-948) operated on Vung Ganh Rai and Saigon River during April 1966 and February 1969
• USS Richard S Edwards (DD-950) operated on Mekong River Delta in Province of Kien Hoa during February 28 and March 1, 1969
• USS Turner Joy (DD-951) entered Cua Viet River channel on December 24, 1969
• USS Henry B. Wilson (DDG-7) [Guided Missile Destroyer] operated on Mekong River Delta during May 1968
• USS Lynde McCormick (DDG-8) operated on Cua Ham Loung River and Mekong River Delta during April 1966
• USS Towers (DDG-9) operated on Saigon River and Rung Sat Special Zone during July 1966
• USS Robison (DDG-12) provided naval gunfire support for Operation Jackstay in Rung Sat Special Zone and Saigon River during April 1966
• USS Joseph Strauss (DDG-16) operated on Mekong River Delta March 4, 1966 and Ganh Rai Bay during November 7 and December 7, 1968
• USS Goldsborough (DDG-20) operated on Cua Dai River December 13, 1968
• USS Benjamin Stoddert (DDG-22) operated on the Song Lang Nuog River December 24, 1965 and the Cua Viet River April 25, 1972 (see other category)
• USS Waddell (DDG-24) operated on Saigon River during March 1966 and Cua Viet River during March 1967
• USS Duncan (DDR-874) [Radar Picket Destroyer] operated on Saigon River during September and October 1965
• USS Falgout (DE-324) [Destroyer Escort] entered Qui Nhon Bay as part of operation with PCFs interdicting junk traffic during May 1966
• USS Lowe (DE-325) anchored in Saigon Harbor during April 1966
• USS Alvin C. Cockrell (DE-366) anchored in Saigon Harbor for four days during May 1962
• USS McMorris (DE-1036) entered Qui Nhon Bay during July 1965
• USS Davidson (DE-1045) operated on Vung Ganh Rai and Rung Sat Special Zone of Mekong River Delta from September 16 to October 5, 1967
• USS Finch (DER-328) [Destroyer Escort Radar] entered Qui Nhon Bay on January 20, 1966 and December 1967 (when crewmembers painted a Vietnamese orphanage)
• USS Kretchmer (DER-329) entered Qui Nhon Bay during September and November 1965, June and August 1966, and April 1967
• USS Vance (DER-387) entered Qui Nhon Bay on January 20, 1966
• USS Mahan (DLG-11) [Guided Missile Frigate] visited Saigon via Saigon River October 24-28, 1962
• USS Vancouver (LPD-2) [Amphibious Transport Dock] entered Qui Nhon Bay during September 11-12, 1971
• USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2) [Landing Platform, Helicopter] entered Qui Nhon Bay in July 1965
• USS Princeton (LPH-5) operated on Ganh Rai Bay during April 1966
• USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) [Landing Ship Dock] delivered supplies up Saigon River to Nha Be during March-May 1967 and June 1968
• USS Gunston Hall (LSD-5) delivered equipment to Saigon via Saigon River during March 1968
• USS Oak Hill (LSD-7) conducted salvage operations for damaged swift boat on Ganh Hao River during July 1967
• USS Cabildo (LSD-16) delivered equipment to Nha Be via the Long Tau River during June 1968
• USS Catamount (LSD-17) travelled up Saigon River to Saigon during November 1962 and operated on Nha Be and Long Tau Rivers during April 1969
• USS Colonial (LSD-18) travelled on Saigon River to Nha Be on June 22 and September 25-30, 1969
• USS Fort Marion (LSD-22) navigated Saigon River to dock in Saigon during February 1966
• USS Whetstone (LSD-27) anchored as long term “boat haven” for repairs of smaller vessels on Qui Nhon Bay during June-July 1965
• USS Thomaston (LSD-28) conducted dredge lift on Saigon River during November 1964
• USS Point Defiance (LSD-31) entered Qui Nhon Bay to deliver troops during July 1965; operated on Saigon River during March 1967; and conducted several operations on Saigon River to Saigon Port during October and November 1968
• USS Alamo (LSD-33) landed Marines while at Qui Nhon Bay during July 1965 and at Rung Sat Special Zone during March-April 1966
• USS Anchorage (LSD-36) transported troops and supplies into Qui Nhon Bay during June 1970 and January 1972
• USS Catskill (MCS/MSC-1) [Minesweeper-Coastal] entered Saigon River on March 18, 1970
• USS Woodpecker (MSC-209) entered Qui Nhon Bay during May 1965
• USS Gannet (MSC-290) operated on rivers of Mekong Delta at Vinh Long and Binh Thuy during May 1967
• USS Whippoorwill (MSC-207) [Minesweeper-Ocean] entered Qui Nhon Bay repeatedly during July-August 1968
• USS Conflict (MSO-426) [Minesweeper-Ocean] operated on Saigon River April 1, 1966 and Song Huong River (Perfume River) May 14, 1966
• USS Enhance (MSO-437) entered Qui Nhon Bay repeatedly during October through November 1968 and January through February 1969
• USS Esteem (MSO-438) crewmembers painted a Vietnamese orphanage while docked at Qui Nhon Bay during December 1967 and again during March 1969
• USS Fortify (MSO-446) travelled up the Saigon River to Saigon September 19-22, 1964
• USS Illusive (MSO-448) conducted training with Vietnamese Navy on Saigon River from January through March 1962
• USS Inflict (MSO-456) travelled up the Saigon River to Saigon September 19-22, 1964
• USS Loyalty (MSO-457) travelled up the Saigon River to Saigon September 19-22, 1964
• USS Conquest (MSO-488) operated on Saigon River during 1962 and entered Qui Nhon Bay on January 29 and February 7-9, 1969
• USS Pledge (MSO-492) entered Qui Nhon Bay on May 8, 15, and 21, 1971
• USS W. A. Mann (T-AP-112) [Military Transport] entered Qui Nhon Bay August 23, 1965
• USS Breckinridge (T-AP-176) entered Qui Nhon Bay September 16-17, 1965
• USS Geiger (T-AP-197) entered Qui Nhon Bay November 23-26, 1965
• USNS General Hugh J. Gaffey (T-AP-121) entered Qui Nhon Bay November 6-8, 1966