My name is Armando Aceves formerly a Marine Sergeant assigned to Bravo command 2nd Tank Bn. H&S Co. ,
Communication platoon. Our battalion was tasked with supporting 2nd Marine Division,8th Marine Regiment and
Tiger Brigade during Operation Desert Storm. On February 24 at 1230 we thrust across iraqi minefields into deep
into Kuwait. After encountering what was left of the Iraqi army, burning tanks and vehicles we reached a quarry
near the city of Al Jahra. After just 4 days of ground combat the capital city was liberated leaving the enemy in
full retreat. At 0800 on February 28, President Bush called for a suspension of all combat operations. At the time
I remember that oil smoke from the burning oil wells so thick on the battlefield we had to use GPS receivers in the
afternoon, as day had turned to a thick eerie blackness and we could not see anything. I was not aware then how
bad the exposure to oil fires,burning enemy vehicles destroyed by depleted uranium munitions and other factors
would affect me in the future years later as a veteran.
In late September 1999, I as diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. It was in the advanced stages and
was told later I was given weeks to live if no treatment was provided. After 4 rounds of Chemotherapy, full body
radiation and an autologous stem cell transplant, I was released from City of Hope on February 14. Almost a year
of treatments. Like Matthew, I still hear ringing in my ears which i only mentioned to my wife recently as I thought I
was going crazy. I was denied service connected VA benefits I filed because of my AML.
In October 2008, I was diagnosed with Mucoid Epideral Carcinoma which was surgically removed from the palate
inside my mouth. My personal doctor has told me it was extremely rare for someone in my age group( under 40 )
to get Acute Myelogenous leukemia and again a different type of cancer. Officially any oncologist I have been
treated by cannot confirm in writing my cancers are related to my exposures during Desert Storm,however
verbally they believer it to be possible.
I hope someday all suffering brave men and women who served our country will receive the benefits which are
due to them. My prayers go out to our veterans and their families as well. I know I was very blessed to have
survived 2 battles with cancer and hope my story will be read by anyone needing more proof that all these
sicknesses are service related. Semper Fi.
Respectfully,
Armando Aceves USMC 1984-1991
Note: I talked to Laura Bumpus a few months ago and promised to tell my story and go public with the fact I was
denied my initial VA claim. 12-18-08
Communication platoon. Our battalion was tasked with supporting 2nd Marine Division,8th Marine Regiment and
Tiger Brigade during Operation Desert Storm. On February 24 at 1230 we thrust across iraqi minefields into deep
into Kuwait. After encountering what was left of the Iraqi army, burning tanks and vehicles we reached a quarry
near the city of Al Jahra. After just 4 days of ground combat the capital city was liberated leaving the enemy in
full retreat. At 0800 on February 28, President Bush called for a suspension of all combat operations. At the time
I remember that oil smoke from the burning oil wells so thick on the battlefield we had to use GPS receivers in the
afternoon, as day had turned to a thick eerie blackness and we could not see anything. I was not aware then how
bad the exposure to oil fires,burning enemy vehicles destroyed by depleted uranium munitions and other factors
would affect me in the future years later as a veteran.
In late September 1999, I as diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. It was in the advanced stages and
was told later I was given weeks to live if no treatment was provided. After 4 rounds of Chemotherapy, full body
radiation and an autologous stem cell transplant, I was released from City of Hope on February 14. Almost a year
of treatments. Like Matthew, I still hear ringing in my ears which i only mentioned to my wife recently as I thought I
was going crazy. I was denied service connected VA benefits I filed because of my AML.
In October 2008, I was diagnosed with Mucoid Epideral Carcinoma which was surgically removed from the palate
inside my mouth. My personal doctor has told me it was extremely rare for someone in my age group( under 40 )
to get Acute Myelogenous leukemia and again a different type of cancer. Officially any oncologist I have been
treated by cannot confirm in writing my cancers are related to my exposures during Desert Storm,however
verbally they believer it to be possible.
I hope someday all suffering brave men and women who served our country will receive the benefits which are
due to them. My prayers go out to our veterans and their families as well. I know I was very blessed to have
survived 2 battles with cancer and hope my story will be read by anyone needing more proof that all these
sicknesses are service related. Semper Fi.
Respectfully,
Armando Aceves USMC 1984-1991
Note: I talked to Laura Bumpus a few months ago and promised to tell my story and go public with the fact I was
denied my initial VA claim. 12-18-08
ARMANDO ACEVES
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Ed Note: I have talked to many, many brave soldiers and their families - each of them very
inspiring. Armando, however, stands out in my heart and mind, every time I have had the honor of
chatting with him has truly been a blessing for me. He is gracious, kind, positive and deeply
inspirational. Please join me, in saying a special prayer for Armando and his family as he battles
cancer, yet again. L.B. 1-6-09
inspiring. Armando, however, stands out in my heart and mind, every time I have had the honor of
chatting with him has truly been a blessing for me. He is gracious, kind, positive and deeply
inspirational. Please join me, in saying a special prayer for Armando and his family as he battles
cancer, yet again. L.B. 1-6-09