“On January 13, 1962, three U.S. Air Force C-123s left Tan Son Nhut airfield to begin Operation Hades (later called Operation Ranch Hand), the defoliation of portions of South Vietnam's heavily forested countryside in which Viet Cong guerrillas could easily hide. By September, 1962, the spraying program had intensified, despite an early lack of success, as U.S. officials targeted the Ca Mau Peninsula, a scene of heavy communist activity. Ranch Hand aircraft sprayed more than 9,000 acres of mangrove forests there, defoliating approximately 95 percent of the targeted area. That mission was deemed a success and full approval was given for continuation of Operation Ranch Hand as the U.S. stepped up its involvement in Vietnam.” 

“In 1962, 15,000 gallons of herbicide were sprayed throughout Vietnam. The following year that amount nearly quadrupled, as 59,000 gallons of chemicals were poured into the forests and streams. The amounts increased significantly after that: 175,000 gallons in 1964, 621,000 gallons in 1965 and 2.28 million gallons in 1966.”

“Over the next nine years, an estimated 12 million gallons of Agent Orange were sprayed throughout Vietnam.”

“The pilots who flew these missions became so proficient at their jobs that it “would take only a few minutes after reaching their target areas to dump their 1,000-gallon loads before turning for home. Flying over portions of South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia that had been sprayed, the pilots could see the effects of their work. Many of them adopted a grim fatalism about the job. Over the door of the ready room for Ranch Hand pilots at Tan Son Nhut Airport near Saigon hung this sign: "Only You Can Prevent Forests."

“Unknown to the tens of thousands of American soldiers and Vietnamese civilians who were living, eating and bathing in a virtual omnipresent mist of the rainbow herbicides, the makers of these chemicals were well aware of their long-term toxic effects, but sought to suppress the information from the government and the public, fearing negative backlash.

Of particular concern to the chemical companies was Agent Orange, which contained dioxin. Publicly, the chemical companies said dioxin occurred naturally in the environment and was not harmful to humans. Privately, they knew otherwise.”

 (Source:  http://www.usvetdsp.com/agentorange.htm)

Did you know more than 4 million gallons of chemical defoliates were sprayed in III Corps Vietnam?  More than 44,000 gallons of Agent Orange were dropped around Quan Loi.  Around An Loc – 77,000 gallons, Loc Ninh -  46,600 gallons, Phu Loi - 79,000 gallons while Song Be had just 1900 gallons and Tay Ninh  720 gallons.  (See chart below)  If you served in any of these areas it might behoove you check out the links given here to learn more of how Agent Orange and these other chemicals might have effected you "if you were exposed to them".   J.Wavra

III Corps - 4,086,229

Source:  (http://www.vetshome.com/Agent_Orange.htm)

Sites with Agent Orange information:

Agent Orange Registry Health Exam for Veterans - Public Health (va.gov)