Chapter 16: Guard Pilots Quit

While many factors can influence an individual’s decision to leave the military, surveyed Guard and Reserve pilots and aircrew members cited the anthrax immunization as a key reason for leaving or otherwise changing their military status. Since September 1998, an...

Chapter 15: Stay

“Well, if they’re going to issue the stay at all, now would be a good time! I mean, if no stay today, by tomorrow night my guy is eating with the big metal spoon, if you know what I mean.” I’m on the phone to appellate defense in Washington, D.C. I look at my watch....

Chapter 14: SecDef Cohen’s Four Points

In December of 1997, the anthrax vaccine manufacturer was shut down and could not manufacture anything related to the AVA. Notwithstanding that hurdle, Secretary of Defense William Cohen announced that before the mandatory program would begin, it would have to meet...

Chapter 13: Defense Delay

I sent out the judge’s ruling in Corporal Stonewall’s case to a list of people the same night the judge issued it. I was in despair. Now what would I do? Major Tom “Buzz” Rempfer, USAFR, was an Air Force Academy graduate, former F-16 pilot, then A-10 pilot, and flew...

Chapter 12: The DoD ‘Evolves’ on the AVA

Mary PENDERGAST (FDA):  As I indicated to you, it was not the type or quantity of information we would have hoped for. SHAYS (R-CT): That’s an understatement. PENDERGAST: It – it was.  We don’t disagree with you. This was war. This was the first time, and...

Chapter 11: United States versus Stonewall

“Are you ready?’  Justin and I collected our paperwork. I had defended Marines and sailors facing a lot more time or charged with much more serious crimes, yet I was more nervous than I had ever been before walking into court. “Hope so.” I muttered. I did not have my...

Chapter 10: The Anthrax Vaccine Fails

The manufacturing process for Anthrax Vaccine is not validated.[i] The anthrax vaccine’s manufacturer has had an interesting ownership history, beginning in 1968 as the Michigan Department of Public Health (MDPH), a public entity that manufactured the earliest vaccine...