“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

Location

Orange

White

Blue

Total Gallons

An Loc

77,000

79,830

0

156,830

Ben Cat

87,250

83,640

20,105

190,995

Ben Hoa

35,045

124,525

3,950

163,520

Cholon

320

0

0

320

Cu Chi

59,150

67,540

14,105

140,795

Dau Tieng (Michelin)

32,370

45,800

3,800

81,770

Dien Duc, Firebase Elaine

66,850

25,800

0

92,350

Duc Hoa

750

0

0

750

Firebase Di An

6,000

0

1,595

7,595

Firebase Frenzel

13,445

57,560

900

71,905

Firebase Jewel, LZ Snuffy

219,550

146,010

7,300

372,860

Firebase Mace

34,280

23,350

730

58,360

Katum

299,420

239,395

20,000

558,815

Lai Khe

57,120

22,300

1,800

81,220

Loc Ninh

46,660

103,710

1,800

152,170

Long Binh, Firebase Concord

13,445

57,560

0

71,005

LZ Bearcat

17,840

75,470

0

93,310

LZ Fish Nook

44,000

23,800

0

67,800

LZ Schofield

38,640

17,210

7,800

63,650

Nha Be (Navy Base)

119,725

121,925

6,000

247,650

Nui Ba Den, Firebase Carolin

50,020

66,500

2,100

118,620

Phouc Vinh

484,383

146,576

12,810

643,769

Phu Chong

39,848

62,230

12,055

114,130

Phu Loi

79,000

83,430

0

162,430

Qua Viet

50,610

5,600

3,500

59,710

Quan Loi

44,190

34,300

0

78,490

Saigon

No Data      

Song Be

1,900

9,220

0

11,120

Tan Son Nhut

6,320

0

1,595

7,915

Tay Ninh

720

3,225

600

4,545

Trang Bang

32,365

39,560

6,000

77,925

Vo Dat, Firebase Nancy

14,180

29,100

0

43,280

Vung Tau

7,350

0

0

7,350

Xuan Loc

23,865

58,750

660

83,275

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)

 

 

 

 

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