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https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/u-s-officials-defend-use-of-defoliants?cmpid=email-hist-tdih-2018-0 [login to see] 8&om_rid=9754f68e782e800e414bdd9d8de07d822418f1b24b8c839f0c0af3b24529c73a&om_mid=453467246&kx_EmailCampaignID=24209&kx_EmailCampaignName=email-hist-tdih-2018-0 [login to see] 8&kx_EmailRecipientID=9754f68e782e800e414bdd9d8de07d822418f1b24b8c839f0c0af3b24529c73a
U.S. military spokesmen defend the use of defoliants in Vietnam at a news conference in Saigon, claiming that the use of the agents in selected areas of South Vietnam had neither appreciably altered the country’s ecology, nor produced any harmful effects on human or animal life.
However, a paper released at the same news conference by Dr. Fred T. Shirley, a U.S. Agriculture Department expert, suggested that U.S. officials in Saigon were underestimating the extent of ecological damage caused in Vietnam by defoliating agents and that they had caused “undeniable ecological damage” and that “recovery may take a long time.” Defoliation had been used in Vietnam since 1961 to reduce the dense jungle foliage so communist forces could not use it for cover, as well as to deny the enemy use of crops needed for subsistence. During a nine-year period ending in 1971, over 19 million gallons of three major herbicides (Agents Orange, White, and Blue) would be used in Vietnam. As part of Operation Ranch Hand, conducted from 1962 to 1970, specially equipped C-123 aircraft sprayed these herbicides in a 300-foot swath about eight and half miles long. It was also applied by helicopter, truck, and hand sprayers. The heaviest use of the defoliants was in the III Corps Tactical Zone north of Saigon and along the Cambodian and Laotian borders. The use of these agents was controversial, both during and after the war, because of the questions about long-term ecological impacts and the effect on humans who were either sprayed or handled the chemicals. Beginning in the late 1970s, Vietnam veterans began to cite the herbicides, especially Agent Orange, as the cause of health problems ranging from skin rashes to cancer and birth defects in their children. Similar problems, including an abnormally high incidence of miscarriages and congenital malformations, have been reported among the Vietnamese people who lived in the areas where the defoliate agents were used.
U.S. military spokesmen defend the use of defoliants in Vietnam at a news conference in Saigon, claiming that the use of the agents in selected areas of South Vietnam had neither appreciably altered the country’s ecology, nor produced any harmful effects on human or animal life.
However, a paper released at the same news conference by Dr. Fred T. Shirley, a U.S. Agriculture Department expert, suggested that U.S. officials in Saigon were underestimating the extent of ecological damage caused in Vietnam by defoliating agents and that they had caused “undeniable ecological damage” and that “recovery may take a long time.” Defoliation had been used in Vietnam since 1961 to reduce the dense jungle foliage so communist forces could not use it for cover, as well as to deny the enemy use of crops needed for subsistence. During a nine-year period ending in 1971, over 19 million gallons of three major herbicides (Agents Orange, White, and Blue) would be used in Vietnam. As part of Operation Ranch Hand, conducted from 1962 to 1970, specially equipped C-123 aircraft sprayed these herbicides in a 300-foot swath about eight and half miles long. It was also applied by helicopter, truck, and hand sprayers. The heaviest use of the defoliants was in the III Corps Tactical Zone north of Saigon and along the Cambodian and Laotian borders. The use of these agents was controversial, both during and after the war, because of the questions about long-term ecological impacts and the effect on humans who were either sprayed or handled the chemicals. Beginning in the late 1970s, Vietnam veterans began to cite the herbicides, especially Agent Orange, as the cause of health problems ranging from skin rashes to cancer and birth defects in their children. Similar problems, including an abnormally high incidence of miscarriages and congenital malformations, have been reported among the Vietnamese people who lived in the areas where the defoliate agents were used.
U.S. officials defend use of defoliants
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 16
Posted >1 y ago
I don't think they would still do so if they were honest about the long term results.
(13)
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Posted >1 y ago
No possible harmful effects. Musta read that on FB so it had to be true. Morning Mark great read.
PO3 Brad Smith Lt Col Scott ShuttleworthSGT Gregory Lawritson SGT Jim Arnold SSgt Brian BrakkeCMSgt (Join to see) LTC (Join to see) MSG Frederick Otero SFC Pete Kain SSG David Andrews SCPO Morris Ramsey PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SGT (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. LTC Greg Henning PO2 Rick Fox SGT John " Mac " McConnell Lt Col Charlie Brown Sgt Albert Castro
PO3 Brad Smith Lt Col Scott ShuttleworthSGT Gregory Lawritson SGT Jim Arnold SSgt Brian BrakkeCMSgt (Join to see) LTC (Join to see) MSG Frederick Otero SFC Pete Kain SSG David Andrews SCPO Morris Ramsey PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SGT (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. LTC Greg Henning PO2 Rick Fox SGT John " Mac " McConnell Lt Col Charlie Brown Sgt Albert Castro
(11)
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Maj Marty Hogan
>1 y
PO3 Bob McCord - I believe you are correct. My mom's late husband succumbed to three different cancer's caused by this crap. How did the government play it- string it out until most have gone and pay out a little to those still alive to seem like you cared. Getting the same bullshit on the burn pits in the Gulf War.
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Posted >1 y ago
My uncle was in the 9th Marines that landed at Da Nang in 1965. He succumbed to Agent Orange poisoning soon after receiving VA compensation. SP5 Mark Kuzinski
(11)
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MSG Frederick Otero
>1 y
We were so trusting in those days of what we were told and by those that told us.
(4)
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SGT (Join to see)
>1 y
MSG Frederick Otero - Silent Spring by Rachel Carson was published in 1962. It described the adverse effects of pesticides way before Vietnam. Too bad it was not read by more people.
(6)
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(0)
MSG Frederick Otero
>1 y
I am sure it was read but most likely ignored. The book was the canary in the coal mine.
(6)
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