Combat pay
During the Korean War the U.S. Army paid Prisoners of War for three months of Combat Pay at $45.00 a month. For example if you were a POW for 30 months the government still owes you 27 months of Combat Pay. The Army was the only branch to do this to its people.
Tom Lyke has tried for years to right this wrong and finally a U.S. Senator has showed some interest in this issue.
The finance center is saying that we were paid as were all the services. Five people have provided copies of their Army Pay Record for that period showing that they were paid for only three months. More records are needed. Do you still have your pay records for that period?
It is urgent that you send the statement or copy of your pay records when you were a POW to Tom Lyke or Shorty Estabrook as soon as possible:
Tom Lyke
2801 FM 2004 Rd.
Texas City, TX 77591
Shorty Estabrook
16514 Clydesdale Run
Selma TX 78154
If you do not have such papers you are urged to request your records from:
National Personnel Records Center
9700 Page Avenue
St Louis MO 63132-5100
Include a copy of your DD 214 and retirement orders if retired from the Army.
submitted by Shorty Estabrook
Federal Task Force Launches Web Site
Secretary invites feedback on services
WASHINGTON (March 15, 2007) - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson, head of the new inter-agency task force examining the processes for combat veterans seeking services and benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other federal agencies, announced the creation of a dedicated Web page to solicit input on the ease of accessing federal services.
“As the task force moves forward in studying how we can enhance services and cut red tape, we believe it's important to provide veterans, their family members and others with the opportunity to share their ideas and experiences,” said Nicholson.
People can email their comments to the task force at TFHeroes@va.gov or fax comments to 202-273-9599. Task Force information and mailing address can be obtained on the VA home page, www.va.gov/taskforce.
The Web page allows active duty service members, veterans, family members and others to comment directly to the task force on the accessibility, timeliness and delivery of services. Comments will be studied by the task force, used in the panel's evaluation of gaps in service and form the basis of recommended solutions.
Called the “Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes,” the panel consists of the secretaries of Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Education, plus the administrator of the Small Business Administration and the director of the Office of Management and Budget.
Under the terms of the executive order creating the task force, the group has 45 days to identify and examine existing federal services for returning Global War on Terror service members; identify gaps in such services; seek recommendations from federal agencies on ways to fill those gaps and ensure that appropriate federal agencies are communicating and cooperating effectively.
Long Overdue Combat Pay
While being held as Army POWs during the Korean War, we were only paid for three (3) months of the "Combat Pay" that was due to us at a rate of $45 a month. "As such, it is our contention, that the government still owes us for over three (3) years of combat pay that was not forthcoming during that time!"
We are currently engaged in a crusade that would finally mandate the payment of this money to all who served their time in Hell in North Korea Prisoner of War Facilities. And as such, it is essential that all who feel as we do that this cause is right and just, please contact Shorty Estabrook. especially if you have any paperwork or input on this subject.
According to the data that I have seen, it seems that all of the other services (but not the Army) did indeed continue to pay "combat pay" to their people who were held as POWs. As such, any and all help or encouragement from you along these lines would be greatly appreciated.
Also, if you have the ear of a Congressperson or Senator, please implore them to help to introduce Legislation that would finally rectify this matter after over 50 years of ignoring the issue!
This Is A Matter of National Pride, Responsibility, and a Note of Thanks To Those Korean War Army POWs Who Gave Up No Small Portion of Their Lives for Our Defense and Security. Received from Shorty Estabrook.
Military.com
Information about Veterans Benefits can be found at Military.com.
Flaws discovered in disability benefits (originally reported June 2005)
A commission conducting the first major review of veterans disability benefits in 50 years was warned at its inaugural meeting that perhaps too many veterans have been deemed "unemployable," which raises their compensation to the level of 100 percent disabled veterans.
Renee L. Szybala, Director for Operations of VA Compensation and Pension Service, told the Veterans Disability Benefits Commission that the number of vets designated "IU" for Individual Unemployability, has doubled in the last six years.
For more information contact: Tom Philpott, at Military Update PO Box 231111, Centreville,VA 20120–1111 or by email at milupdate@aol.com.