Case Narrative

 

Possible Chemical Warfare Agent Incident Involving a United States Marine

 

Case Narratives are reports of what we know today about certain events of the 1990-1991 Gulf War. This particular case narrative focuses on a Marine corporal who developed blisters on his right forearm after handling captured enemy prisoner of war personal field equipment. This is an interim, not a final, report. We hope that you will read this and contact us with any information that would help us better understand the events reported here. With your help, we will be able to report more accurately on the events surrounding the Marine’s injury reported in this narrative. Please contact my office to report any new information by calling:

1-800-497-6261

Bernard Rostker
Special Assistant for Gulf War Illnesses
Department of Defense

2000060-0000016

Last Update: March 16, 2000

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 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, and has continued to investigate reports of chemical warfare agent incidents.

To inform the public about the progress of these efforts, the Department of Defense is publishing on the Internet and elsewhere accounts that may contribute to the discussion of possible causes of illnesses of Gulf War veterans, along with documentary evidence or personal testimony used in compiling the accounts. This narrative is such an account.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. METHODOLOGY
 
II. SUMMARY
 
III. NARRATIVE
A. Overview
B. Background
C. The Injury
D. Medical Treatment History
E. Physicians’ Opinions
1. Chemical Warfare Agent Casualty Treatment Experts
2. Dermatologists
 
IV. ASSESSMENT
A. Discussion
B. Conclusion
 
V. LESSONS LEARNED
A. Operational Reporting and Investigation
B. Organizational and Administrative Recordkeeping
C. Medical Treatment Recordkeeping
D. M258 Decontamination Kit and Hazard to Skin
 
TAB A - Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Glossary
 
TAB B - Bibliography
 
TAB C - Methodology for Chemical Warfare Incident Investigation
 
TAB D - The Fox Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle
 
TAB E - M258A1 Skin Decontamination Kit
 
END NOTES


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