i need references for a fire chem spill, explosion) that happened at
Fort Leonard Wood Mo. in
1976 (Nov) in the hospital, (Army Acronym GLWAH)during the
reconstruction period.  The Army command was called MEDDAC then.  I
need the info to support a Veteran's claim.

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 28 Jun 2004 11:33 PDT

The only thing I've found that even comes close is a report in
September 1976 of the death of a bomb expert from the 543rd Ordinance
Detachment from Ft. Leonard Wood.  Sgt. Dennis Foster was killed (and
several others injured) by an explosion.  However, the explosion did
not take place at Fort Leonard Wood, so it doesn't sound like it is
the incident you're looking for.

Are there any other details you can provide about the incident?  How
certain are you of the timing?

pafalafa-ga

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Clarification of Question by wergie-ga on 29 Jun 2004 07:08 PDT

Hi, Thanks for working on this.  There was no news releases of this
event.  It will be tied into the construction that was happening at
the same time by memo or by civilian reports, or by some kind of army
docs,  The accident occurred on 28 Nov, 1976. The Histology/ Cytology
speciman processing machine (ethanol, paraffin, formaldehyde) blew up
and set the rest of the lab on fire.  There were no large injuries or
deaths, just an immense mess and lots of physical damage.Lots of
chemicals everywhere.  The commander at the time was Colonel Robert H.
Mosebar, and the patholgist in charge was Gerald R. Rappe, who may
live in Wenatchee, Wa now.  I lost the trail.  I was thinking there
would be an Army Memo or reportable event (Hospital protocol) but
cannot access the documents to find the info.  I've tried to access
Army Knowledge Online with no success, the same with Army Lessons
Learned, (cannot log in).

http://www.construction-institute.org/ac2000_reg/bios/gross.htm

Hanford Gross   President, Gross Mechanical Contractors 

1976 - 1978 On-site Project Manager for $11,000,000.00 of mechanical
construction for Army Corps of Engineer projects consisting of
Hospital, Central Heating Plant and Barracks Complex at Fort Leonard
Wood, Missouri

Hope this helps.

I am currently stationed at Fort Leonard Wood.  There is a post
historian here who may be able to answer your question.  To contact
him call 573.596.0131, go through the recorded prompts and wait for an
operator.  When you get a "live person" ask for the phone number for
the "post historian".

The hospital is abbreviated GLWACH, not GLWAH.  Army Knowledge Online
(AKO) would not have the info that you are seeking.  That website is
for individual soldiers to access personnel records, shot records, pay
and their own email accounts.  The Army Center for Lessons Learned may
help you out as would the U.S. Army Safety Center.  Hope this helps.