A retired Marine from Harlem had been vocal about his health struggles alongside numerous veterans who faced poisoning from toxic water at Camp Lejeune, according to his family.
Richard Corey battled esophageal cancer and dealt with tumors near his pancreas before moving into hospice care several months back, as two of his three children shared with the Post. He was 66 years old at the time of his passing.
Corey died on June 23 at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx, just over a year after submitting a claim to the federal government.
“If he had some resources, there were a few things on his bucket list that he never had the chance to complete,” noted his son, Lois Corey. “He never got to do them.”
Regarding his case, which now involves allegations of wrongful death, his son remarked, “He is entitled to more compensation, but it feels bittersweet. I wish my father could see justice served.”
Corey had begun his service at Camp Lejeune in 1982, eventually reaching the rank of Sergeant Gunnery and later working in real estate until illness struck.
His final moments were described by his son as “extremely painful,” yet he continued to fight. “He was still tough,” Lois said.
Veterans suffering from illnesses like Corey’s saw some change when Congress enacted the Camp Lejeune Justice Act in August 2022. Corey was one of many diagnosed with one of 15 diseases linked to the contaminated water he was exposed to during his service from 1953 to 1987, and he had sought help from the US Navy after his complaint was ignored.
It’s estimated that up to a million service members, along with their families and civilians, were exposed to tainted drinking water over the decades.
So far, over 500,000 claims have been filed with the U.S. Department of Justice, but less than 500 have been settled, according to a lawyer representing Corey’s case. Tragically, many veterans have died while waiting for compensation.
“He’s gone, so this shouldn’t fall by the wayside,” argued Corey’s daughter, Chantelle. “They need to address this correctly and offer closure for the many others affected.”
