Johnson County veteran struggles to prove he served in Vietnam War
After serving over in Vietnam and around the world in the late 1960s and 1970s, Jerry Lambert says he’s been unable to reap some of the benefits a Vietnam vet is entitled to.
TIFFIN, Iowa (KCRG) - A Johnson County Veteran says he’s been unable to prove he served in the Marine Corps more than 50 years after his service in Vietnam.
After seeing a story on KCCI about a veteran who died trying to prove he served in the military, Jerry Lambert knew he had to speak out on his struggle to get recognized.
After serving in Vietnam and around the world in the late 60s to the late 70s, he says he’s been unable to reap some of the benefits a Vietnam vet is entitled to.
“I have requested numerous times from the St. Louis records center a copy of my service record book and copies of my medical records. A few months back, I got a letter back from the National Records Center in St. Louis that they had no record of me ever being in the military.” said Lambert.
Lambert has records for his time in the military after 1974, but nothing from 1968 to 1969, when he was stationed in Vietnam.
During his time there, he was exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange, which left him with several medical issues like hypertension, diabetes, and a stroke.
Though, without proof he was on the ground in Vietnam, he doesn’t qualify for Agent Orange medical benefits offered by the VA.
But he says what he wants most is the recognition.
“For a veteran, that’s means so much. I don’t care if you served 50 years ago or if you got out yesterday. To be told ‘Thank you for your service’ means something.” he said.
Karl Lettow with the Iowa Department of Veteran Affairs says seeing stories of veterans struggling to get recognized is always difficult... But he encourages them to never give up.
“Check back. Keep checking. And if you get a claim in, be persistent. If you’re not hearing anything from a little up, check back.” said Lettow.
As for Lambert, despite all the trouble, he says he wouldn’t change a thing about his service.
”I love my country.” he said.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The video states Lambert served in Vietnam from 1970-1974. This is incorrect, as Lambert served in Vietnam in 1968-1969. This article has since been updated to reflect these changes.
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