Case Narrative

 

May 25, 2001

Many veterans of the Gulf War have expressed concern that their unexplained illnesses may result from their experiences in that war. In response to veterans’ concerns, the Department of Defense established a task force in June 1995 to investigate those incidents and circumstances relating to possible causes. The Office of the Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense for Gulf War Illnesses assumed responsibility for these investigations on November 12, 1996. Effective April 5, 2001, this office became the Office of the Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) for Gulf War Illnesses, Medical Readiness, and Military Deployments, with continued responsibility for Gulf War issues.

Case Narratives are reports of what we know today about specific events that took place during the Gulf War of 1990 and 1991. This particular case narrative focuses on chemical warfare agent incidents experienced by the 11th Marine Regiment. The narrative provides information on each incident and assesses the likelihood that Marines of this unit operated in areas where chemical warfare agent was present. We published the interim narrative on November 5, 1998. Subsequently, the Presidential Special Oversight Board reviewed the narrative and recommended that we amend the report and republish it as final after incorporating additional information (including veterans’ comments on the interim version). This version of the narrative responds to the Board’s recommendation, so this is a final report. However, if you believe you have information that may change this case narrative, please call:

Office of the Special Assistant to the
Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness)
for Gulf War Illnesses, Medical Readiness,
and Military Deployments
Department of Defense
2001073-0000014 Ver. 2.0

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. METHODOLOGY

 

II. SUMMARY

 

III. NARRATIVE

A. Background

1. Reason for Case Selection

2. Summary of 11th Marines Organization for the War

3. Tactical Situation

4. Iraq’s Chemical Weapon Capabilities during the Gulf War

5. 11th Marines and Chemical Protection

B. Possible 11th Marines Chemical Warfare Agent Incidents

1. Overview

2. Incident A

3. Incident B

4. Incident C

5. Incident D

6. Incident E

7. Incident F

8. Incident G

9. Incident H

10. Incident I

11. Incident J

12. Incident K

13. Incidents L, M, and N

14. Incident O

15. Incident P

16. Incident Q

C. Analysis of Related Issues

1. Chemical Warfare Agent Detection Capability

2. What Did Medical Records Show?

3. Was Something Unusual About the 11th Marines?

D. Lessons Learned

1. NBC Alert Procedures and Discipline

2. Using Chemical Warfare Agent Detection Equipment

3. Documenting NBC Incidents

 

TAB A - Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Glossary

TAB B - Additional Units Involved

TAB C - Witnesses Interviewed (by Gulf War Unit)

TAB D - Incidents Unrelated to 11th Marines NBC Threats

TAB E - Bibliography

TAB F - Methodology for Chemical Warfare Incident Investigation

TAB G - Incident Serialization Explained

TAB H - List of New Information and Significant Changes

TAB I - Video Clip of 11th Marines Movement

END NOTES

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