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James Cripps, a Vietnam era veteran . . says he was poisoned by Agent Orange, but he never served in Vietnam. . . . . "When I got wounded I didn't know it I had no reason to suspect there would have been no way to have proved it," Cripps says.

Cripps had what seemed like a dream job as game warden at Fort Gordon in Georgia.

He believes he sprayed Agent Orange in the lakes around Fort Gordon to kill weeds. "I was ordered to spray that herbicide," Cripps says. And pictures show signs warning people about fishing in the lakes Cripps once cared for. "I know what's in those lakes, I put it there," adds Cripps.

NewsChannel 5 Investigates has uncovered defense department documents that prove the military sprayed Agent Orange at Fort Gordon during the time Cripps was there. . . . The documents show helicopters sprayed at least 95 gallons of Agent Orange at Fort Gordon in 1967. Cripps says that alone should prove he was exposed.

The blackheads on his back contain the poisonous residue from Agent Orange which causes acne called 'chloracne.' . . . "In some persons the skin legions persist," says Dr. Dewey Dunn, an Agent Orange expert. He says chloracne is a tell-tale sign of Agent Orange exposure. "It's just sort of a marker so its on the list and probably at the top of the list."

James. I believe the TV station did you a disservice. Like your claim, you probably should have sought advice from Cruiser and Steam Jocky before submission. Hundreds have done so and I bet their help has been significant in getting claims approved. You might consider their help before you appeal.

I have a couple of questions.

Were you a member of the forrestry personnel stationed at Ft. Gordon July - October 1967 when the Army used a helicopter to spray two three acre lots ? Or did you arrive after the testing ?

" The assistance of Department of Army forestry personnel at Fort Gordon, . . . were acknowledged in the report for their support in the selection and preparation of sites in Georgia . . . "

Everything I read ties chloracne to dioxin exposure. If you were spraying a dioxin laced product in the lakes, you should have a valid claim. I think your persistence in trying to tie all dioxin products to Agent Orange is causing credibility problems at the VA.

Who is the Agent Orange expert Dr. Dunn ? He doesn't "Google" well. Being a VA doctor, does not make you an agent orange expert; my son's girlfriend is a VA internal medicine resident, and she knows very little other then 'fairy tales, lies and war stories." I think there is better qualified medical advise.

"The blackheads on his back contain the poisonous residue from Agent Orange." The TV station must have dreamed this one up. Have lab samples confirm there is dioxin residue in your system. If so, get the serum dioxin test and document it.

(2) A wound is defined as an injury to any part of the body from an outside force or agent sustained under one or more of the conditions listed above. A physical lesion is not required, however, the wound for which the award is made must have required treatment by a medical officer and records of medical treatment for wounds or injuries received in action must have been made a matter of official record.

(3) When contemplating an award of this decoration, the key issue that commanders must take into consideration is the degree to which the enemy caused the injury. The fact that the proposed recipient was participating in direct or indirect combat operations is a necessary prerequisite, but is not sole justification for award.