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Ex-Linguist Links Army Base to Rare Blood Cancer
15 Dec, 2025
Summary
- A former linguist developed multiple myeloma after serving at Fort Ord.
- The base allegedly used Agent Orange for decades to control vegetation.
- Many veterans and families report illnesses linked to Fort Ord's past.
Julie Akey, a former Army linguist who served at Fort Ord in the 1990s, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer, in 2016. This diagnosis prompted her investigation into the base's history, where she discovered evidence suggesting Fort Ord used Agent Orange to manage vegetation for many years.
Agent Orange, known for its dioxin content, is linked to various cancers and long-term health issues. Akey believes this toxic exposure caused her illness and has documented a growing number of former service members and their families who developed serious health problems after living on the base.
Despite extensive historical records and new evidence compiled by chemical engineers, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense have not officially recognized Agent Orange use at Fort Ord. This lack of acknowledgment prevents many affected veterans from receiving benefits for illnesses potentially caused by dioxin exposure.
