VFW Action Corps Weekly

Pass the Dole Act: The VFW was proud to host a coalition of supporters, survivors, and caregivers to advocate for H.R. 8371, Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. Watch the video, which starts at the 16:23 mark, and urge your representatives to pass H.R. 8371 today!

VFW on PBS News: In a television interview conducted by PBS News Hour correspondent Lisa Desjardins, VFW National Legislative Director Pat Murray discussed how unaccredited companies, known as Claim Sharks, are exploiting loopholes to illegally represent and overcharge veterans through the VA claims process. “VA just recently announced their one millionth PACT Act claim granted. They're putting out so much more money into veterans' pockets, and these companies –– a lot of unscrupulous actors around the country –– are seeing an opportunity to take a cut of that,” said Murray. Watch the interview.

VA Upgrades Claim Status Tool: VA has announced enhancements to its online claim status tool. This free service allows veterans to access the status of their VA claim, decision review, or appeal via VA.gov using a variety of login options. The recent upgrades were designed to facilitate more user-friendly ways to quickly view and manage your information.

MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced two burial updates and six identifications for service members who have been missing and unaccounted for from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:

-- Navy Fireman Second Class Joseph W. Carroll, 20, of Caddo, Texas, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. He was among 429 crewmen killed that day. He will be buried on Aug. 24, 2024, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl), Honolulu, Hawaii. Read about Carroll.
-- Army Air Force Tech. Sgt. Donald V. Banta, 21, of Los Angeles, California, was assigned to the 703rd Bombardment Squadron, 445th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force. He was killed in action on Feb. 24, 1944. He will be buried in Riverside National Cemetery, California, on a date to be determined. Read about Banta.
-- Army Pvt. 1st Class Clossie D. Brown was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. He was killed in action on Jan. 21, 1945. Interment services are pending. Read about Brown.
-- Army Private Joseph M. Cocco was assigned to Company C, 83rd Chemical Mortar Battalion. He was reported killed in action on Sept.11, 1943, and the War Department issued a finding of death on Sept. 27, 1949. Interment services are pending. Read about Cocco.
-- Army Pvt. Jeremiah P. Mahoney was assigned to Anti-Tank Company, 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. He was killed in action on Jan. 17, 1945. Interment services are pending. Read about Mahoney.
-- Army Sgt. Jack Zarifian was assigned to Company G, 2nd Battalion, 253rd Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division. He was reported killed in action on April 6, 1945. Interment services are pending. Read about Zarifian.
-- Army Sgt. 1st Class Raymond E. Hall was a member of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was killed while a prisoner of war in October 1950. Interment services are pending. Read about Hall.
-- Air Force Sgt. David S. Price was assigned to tactical air navigation radar site Lima Site 85, Laos. He was killed in action on March 11, 1968. Interment services are pending. Read about Price.

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