Case Narrative

Reported Chemical Warfare Agent Exposure in the
2d Reconnaissance Battalion

Final Report

November 15, 2001

Many veterans of the Gulf War have expressed concern that their unexplained physical symptoms may have resulted 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 Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense for Gulf War Illnesses took over responsibility for these investigations on November 12, 1996. Effective April 5, 2001, the Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) for Gulf War Illnesses, Medical Readiness, and Military Deployments assumed continued responsibility for Gulf War issues.

Case narratives are reports of what we know today about specific events that occurred during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm of 1990 and 1991. This case narrative focuses on a group of Marines who reportedly experienced injuries that appeared symptomatic of chemical warfare agent exposure. We published an interim narrative on May 31, 2001. Since then, the Special Assistant has received no new information that contradicts the material presented, nor have any additional leads developed to change the interim narrative’s assessments, so this is a final report. However, if you believe you have information that may change this case narrative, please call:

1-800-497-6261

 

William Winkenwerder, Jr., MD
Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness)
for Gulf War Illnesses, Medical Readiness, and Military Deployments
US Department of Defense

2001270-0000001 Ver 2.0

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
I. METHODOLOGY
 
II. SUMMARY
 
III. NARRATIVE
A. Background
1. Incident Report
2. The 2d Reconnaissance Battalion
B. Sequence of Events
1. Pre-Ground War Activities
2. Ground War Activities (February 24-26, 1991)
3. Fleet Hospital 15 (March 11-17, 1991)
C. Investigating the Incident
1. Conditions at the Site
2. Interviews of Witnesses and Key Servicemembers
3. Analysis
4. Civilian Medical Expert's Review
 
IV. ASSESSMENT
 
V. LESSONS LEARNED
A. Communication
B. Organizational and Administrative Record Keeping
 
TAB A - Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Glossary
 
TAB B - Units Involved
 
TAB C - Bibliography
 
TAB D - Methodology for Chemical Warfare Incident Investigation
 
TAB E - The Chemical Agent Monitor
 
TAB F - Changes to this Report
 
END NOTES


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