dod tactical herbicide sites - United States Department of Defense

(a Chemical Corps Officer assigned to this subordinate element of the Eighth US Army)would be physically present whenever defoliants were deployed. By 20 March 1968, thefirst herbicide (Monuron) and equipment arrived in country. On 31 March,implementation of the Vegetation Control Program CY 68 (for Calendar Year 1968) wasordered to begin on or about 15 April 1968. On 10 April 1968 supplies of HerbicidesOrange and Blue were on-hand in forward locations near the DMZ.Assessment: Soldiers from the First Republic of Korea Army (FROKA) wereassigned the task of applying the herbicides. Monuron UROX 22 was spread by hand ormechanical broadcast beginning on 15 April 1968 and through 28 April 1968. The usualtechnique involved dividing a selected area into several lanes and each soldier walkedalong his assigned lane spreading the Monuron pellets along an area of 5 meters on eachside of his marked lane. Supplies of Monuron were spotted throughout the area tofacilitate individual re-supply along assigned lanes. In this manner, approximately 7,800drums (397,800 pounds) of palletized herbicide were applied on 1,560 acres or at a rateof 255 lbs/A.Applications of the tactical herbicides Orange and Blue began on 15 May 1968 upon theemergence of foliage, and terminated on 15 July 1968, The Orange herbicide was mixedwith diesel oil at a ratio of 3 gallons of Orange to 50 gallons of diesel. Since manyapplication areas selected for spraying with Orange were relatively inaccessible for use ofthe modified M8A2 Decontamination Trailer, 22 liquid defoliant spray sets wereemployed. These units were insecticide sprayers commonly used in EngineerEntomological Services and consisted of a portable lightweight hypro-type pump with astandard gasoline engine. The Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) also had available tenM106 “Mitey Mite” dispensers that were used to supplement liquid spray capabilities.The M106 was a commercial, backpack sprayer that consisted of a compact two-cyclegasoline engine that dispersed the herbicide through a 6-foot hose. The tank contained 3gallons of liquid. The modified M8A2 Decontamination Trailers were used for sprayingboth Orange and Blue. The unit consisted of a 200 gallon capacity tank and a 25 HP GEDpump mounted on a 1 ½ ton trailer. A single hose reel allowed the operator to moveapproximately 50 feet from the trailer and direct a liquid spray through the adjustableBeam type spray gun at a rate of 20 gallons per minute.Approximately 380 drums of Orange (20,900 gallons) were applied on 6,966 acres (3gallons/acre). Herbicide Blue was applied as a liquid spray mixed with water at a ratio of3 gallons of Blue to 50 gallons of water for application on one acre. Approximately 625drums of Blue (34,375 gallons) were applied on 11,458 acres (3 gallons/acre). As noted,all applications were done by ground-based spray systems. The use of masks andhandling precautions were mandatory. The report noted that 3,345 FROKA soldiers wereinvolved in the actual spray operations. No US military personnel were used to spray thetactical herbicides, or were involved in any of the spray operations, e.g., mixing of theherbicides and diluents. US military personnel (Chemical Corps Officers) were used tomonitor and report on the activities of the ROKA Forces.52