Photos of Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base During Ronnie’s Tour
Below is a link to some interesting photos of the air base in Thailand where Ronnie Launius was stationed during the Vietnam War. For more on Ubon, you can go here.
Ronnie joined the Air Force right after high school. After basic training he was stationed at bases in California and Texas. He was eventually stationed at Ubon, Thailand from Dec. 66 to Nov. 67, as part of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, before his final assignment at Beale AFB in California. He got promoted and worked as an “Inventory Mgmt. Specialist” under Logistics Command. According to news articles upon his death, Ron served 6 months detention at some point before his honorable discharge and this penalty probably occurred at Beale AFB in California. Therefore, it is not known why he was tossed in the stockade. Was this drug related… I mean was Ronnie caught with drugs? Who knows, but his final rank in the USAF was Staff Sergeant. He was honorably discharged after serving almost 10 years. A year after his discharge, he married Susan A. Murphy in 1971 in Carson City, Nevada. Susan was either 15 or 19 years old (probably the latter), depending on news articles from the murders. I don’t have her date of birth. Since Ron was in Thailand during the war, it is hard to believe that he was exposed to Agent Orange during his service there. I have trouble believing that story. He also did not smuggle drugs back into the USA inside the coffins of dead American soldiers. That is hog wash and there is no proof at all of that happening…
For the pictures of Ubon RTAFB taken by a service member, go here. They are pretty cool, or I would not waste your time.
Long live Wonderland!
Jeff Joseph, 
Joe McLane, and 11 others are discussing. 
John W 11:27 am on April 2, 2013 Permalink |
Tactical herbicides like Agent Orange were not used to kill vegetation on the perimeters of airbases in Thailand. Practical or commercial herbicides were used. However, recently… Enhanced VA Benefits have been allowed to veterans who served on security and perimeter patrols at bases in Thailand during the war. Just a heads up.
Jeff Joseph 10:39 pm on March 3, 2017 Permalink |
Wrong Agent Orange was used at all RTAFB during VN conflict.
localarts 7:49 pm on April 3, 2013 Permalink |
I agree, I belive the story about Launius smuggling drugs via dead soldiers was made up by Roger Jacobs to help sell his book Long time money. While I did enjoy the book some things are beyond belief with regards to Ronnie. You know first it was 37 murders he was thought to be responsible for then it was 27 murders including wiping out a biker gang and robbing a bank then it was said he was in the marines. which we all know was BS and of course Jacobs said the movie who’ll stop the rain character Ray Hicks was based on Launius. All Big Time BS in my opinion.
James DelCol 3:17 pm on April 20, 2013 Permalink |
The air force was conducting massive defoliation campaign during Ron Launius’ tour. Most of those missions were out of Ubon. I would have to see his medical records to really understand if he may have been exposed, but I know that Ubon was a place they used Agent Orange to defoliate the perimeter. I would imagine that the airmen were loading the chemical into the planes and then caring for the planes when they came back from missions. This would lead to residue being all over the airbase.
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/residue-c123-aircraft.asp
Even after Vietnam some of the war planes were found to have Agent Orange residue years after the war.
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/thailand.asp
Do you think Ron Launius was at the base for 11 months and never walked the perimeter or was near a plane landing in Ubon?
Agent Orange Symptoms and Effects
The most distinguishing effects of dioxin poisoning are:
a. chloracne
b. liver dysfunction
c. severe personality disorders
d. cancers
e. birth defects
The following is a list of reported Agent Orange symptoms and effects:
1. Gastrointestinal:
loss of appetite (anorexia)
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
constipation
yellowing of eyes, skin, and urine (Jaundice)
liver inflammation (Hepatitis)
vomiting blood (Hematemesis)
abdominal pain
gastric hyperplasia
gastric ulcers
2. Genitourinary:
stones
burning
bloody urine (Hermaturia)
dribbling
brown urine
bladder discomfort
kidney pain
3. Neurological:
tingling
numbness
dizziness
headaches
twitching, fidgeting, etc. (Automatic dyscontrol)
Suspension of breath (sleep apnea)
incoordination
unnaturally
drowsy (Hypersomnolence)
loss of sensation in extremities
4. Psychiatric:
violent
irritable
angry
severe depression
suicide
frenzied (Manic)
tremulous
memory loss
loss of concentration
severe personality changes
5. Metabolic:
fatigue
rapid weight loss
spontaneous fever
chills
6. Cardiovascular:
elevated blood pressure
blood deficiency
7. Skin:
chloracne
rash
increased sensitivity (heat)
increased sensitivity (sun)
altered skin color
loss of hair
brittle nails
8. Cancer:
tumors
liver
lung
testicular
ear duct
9. Family:
miscarriages child’s deaths—birth defects
a. cleft palates b. open eye
c. kidney abnormalities d. enlarged liver
e. enlarged head f. club foot
g. intestinal hemmorage h. missing or abnormal fingers, toes
i. missing or abnormal reproductive organs
j. missing, abnormal, or displaced body parts
10.Endocrine:
enlarged male mammary glands (Gynecomastia)
excessive milk flow from nipples (Galactorrhea)
decreased sexual drive
difficulty maintaining and erection
11. Visual:
blurring
burning
12. Hearing Loss
13.Respiratory:
difficulty or painful breath (Dyspenea)
shortness of breath
John 5:14 pm on April 21, 2013 Permalink |
Great points, for many things which I was not aware of. Thanks for posting here with your insights! It makes sense now, and those chemicals where dangerous. The side effects were not known at the time.
Philip Woods 9:17 pm on July 31, 2013 Permalink |
I served in the Army at Ubon RTAFB with Det J of the 7th RRFS. We were located on the other side of the runway in a compound. After returning in 1974 I noticed growths on my back and side. I had them checked out by the surgeon on my ets physical. Since then My wife had two miscarriages, two children with cancer one who died from a brain tumor. I am wondering if I was exposed to Agent Orange or something similar. I am now almost 61 years of age.
James DelCol 3:58 pm on December 18, 2013 Permalink |
How quickly we forget. History has to be brought up and re-examined over and over again due to propagandizing from all kinds of sources confusing issues and facts. Check out Oliver Stone’s “untold history of the united states”. That is excellent scholarship.
I am so sorry for your pain Philip. You and all the vets that were poisoned in America’s wars deserve more than some medal with ribbon to mark your sacrifice. I do know that if you were exposed, the link I provided can possibly lead to your family being compensated. Click on the link. It is to a public health website that is connected to the military. There are reparations available for vets who suffered as you did.
leonard diggs 7:38 pm on December 25, 2013 Permalink |
Philip,
I was at DET-J from oct,1971 to march 1972. at the 7th rrfs jan 1971 to oct 1971. got a claim going now. give me a buzz.
Joe McLane 12:02 pm on March 29, 2016 Permalink |
I was there at the same time. Harve Howard (Chief) and I were the last two to be sent from the 7th down there. 2lt Seth Notingham was det cmdr. I have all kinds of ailments now–high BP, type 2 diabetes, severe periferal neuropathy. Our compound was near the perimeter fence over in no man’s land.
Ed 7:31 pm on July 20, 2014 Permalink |
Ubon was never an Ranchhands base – that was Phan Rang, RVN. I do know that the perimeter was defoliated with something. I worked flightline in the 16SOS area Nov ’69 to Nov ’70.
charles burroughs 6:58 pm on December 14, 2015 Permalink |
I was station in ubon 71_73 directly on the flightline in the air crash and rescue and repair hangar .I orderd and delivered part and tool to machanic, working on aircraft on a dailey basis I applied for benefits in 2011 for sleep apnea, narcoleptic systems, heart problem and high blood pressure and was denied.What do I go from here?
Gary Stimmel. 7:37 pm on February 17, 2016 Permalink |
I was stationed at Ubon from 01/67 to 01/68. Just got done with agent orange screenings with all results
I remember my tour fondly under Robin Olds & The wolf Pack. Please respond.
John 1:13 pm on February 18, 2016 Permalink |
Thanks for that Gary. From the old photos it looked like a tough job with some fun mixed in too.
Michael Courtney 2:58 pm on March 30, 2017 Permalink |
I`ve been dealing with the VA c on right year on the agent orange for years. Theyou lost my orders twice Then told me try order wasn’t official orders. So when I got my copy of the orders that I sent to them twice the TDY orders was not with them, what did they pitch them. I am not going to quit.