At Your Service
For and about Hawaii's military

By Gregg K. Kakesako

Sunday, July 1, 2001

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[FOR YOUR BENEFIT]

Merchant Marine vets
eligible for VA benefits

Question: I served in the Merchant Marine during World War II and recently learned I may be eligible for some Veterans Affairs benefits. Can you let me know what I need to do?

Answer: Merchant Marine seamen who served in World War II may qualify for veterans' benefits, especially medical care and prescriptions through the VA. When applying for medical care, you must present your DD-214 discharge certificate from the Defense Department when you register. If you don't have a discharge certificate, the VA can assist you in obtaining one. At the very least you can say you were a veteran of World War II, and obtain a flag and a grave marker when you die.

Application procedures can also be obtained on the Internet at www.USMM.org, or by sending a business size self-addressed, stamped envelope to AMMV: WWII, PO Box 2361, Berkeley, CA 94702.

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If you have questions about your benefits as a veteran, call Fred Ballard at the Veterans Affairs at 433-0049 or the Star-Bulletin at 529-4747.

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[DEPLOYMENTS]

U.S. Navy (Pacific Fleet)

Indian Ocean/Persian Gulf
USS Chosin (CG 65)

Western Pacific
USS Columbia (SSN 771)
USS Chicago (SSN 721)
USS Santa Fe (SSN 763)
USS Los Angeles (SSN 688)
USS Frederick (LST 1184)

Hawaiian area
USS Columbus (SSN 762)
USS Crommelin (FFG 37)
USS Greeneville (SSN 772)
USS Buffalo (SSN 715)
USS Honolulu (SSN 718)
USS Tucson (SSN 770)
USS Key West (SSN 722)
USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60)

U.S. Army

Thailand: Tripler Army Medical Center, 25th Division, 9th Regional Support Command

Sinai: 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment

East Timor: 25th Division, 9th Regional Support Command

Bosnia, Kosovo, Germany: 25th Division, 9th Regional Support Command

Alaska, Kosrae, E. Micronesia: 84th Engineers

Honduras: Tripler

Philippines: Pacific Region Veterinary Command

South Korea: Tripler, 411th Engineers

Guam: 411th Engineers

Hawaii National Guard

Italy: Company B, 29th Support Battalion, Army National Guard

Germany: HHC, 29th Separate Infantry Brigade, Military Police Platoon, Army National Guard

Australia: Company B, 2-299th Infantry, Army National Guard

Coast Guard

Guam: HH-65 helicopter

Marine Corps

Guam: Aviation Support Element Kaneohe (ASEK) Exercise Koa Thunder

Okinawa: 1st Battalion/3rd Marine Regiment