The NAFTS Guest Book is a place for sailors and families of sailors to ask questions or make comments about Fleet Tug sailors, ships, reunions or related topics.
July 9, 2018
Hello! My father, Ralph E. Black served aboard the USS Hitchiti from 1965-1971. He passed away 5 years ago, on July 14, 2013, due to the affects of Agent Orange. I helped my Mom with a 2.5 year battle with the VA for her claim. I am wanting to do what I can to get the Hitchiti added to the VA roster of ships that are recognized, but I need help from shipmates who served with him during the Vietnam era, hoping for details of the time spent in Vietnam and if they have suffered also with the affects of Agent Orange. I do have deck logs and am working on plotting the position of the ship during the tours. I am pursuing this not only to honor my Dad but those who served alongside him that also may have been afflicted with this horribleness. I do not want other families to have to go through the lengthy ordeal with the VA.
I can be emailed at susenbryant@gmail.com. Thank you for any help. (if this is not appropriate, you may remove)
I can be emailed at susenbryant@gmail.com. Thank you for any help. (if this is not appropriate, you may remove)