dod tactical herbicide sites - United States Department of Defense

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(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
Sources: Buckner JE (2 January 1969): Final Report, Vegetation Control Plan CY68. United States Army Advisory Group, Korea, APO San Francisco 96302. Document203-C69, Declassified from Confidential, source or date not legible.Sypko T (2004): Korea DMZ Vets & Agent Orange. VFW Magazine, January 2004,page 44.Additional Comment: The Sypko article noted that Agent Orange was usedfrom April 1968 through July 1969. The Buckner Report confirmed only that Orangeand Blue were used from 15 May through 15 July 1968 (three months). There was norecord found of the use of Orange or Blue Herbicides being applied in CY 1969. TheSypko article confirmed correctly that all of the defoliants were applied by SouthKorean Troops. The Buckner Report noted that all ROKA personnel who participated inthe project were well trained, prepared, and that the operation was adequately organizedand followed the planned schedule in an orderly manner.53
Page 1 and 2:
The History of the USDepartment of
Page 3 and 4:
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING SF 298B
Page 5 and 6: Table of ContentsPage/sAbstract 3Th
Page 7 and 8: The History of the US Department of
Page 9 and 10: eing evaluated, i.e. potential expo
Page 11 and 12: The Distinction Between Tactical an
Page 13 and 14: highly trained air and ground-suppo
Page 15 and 16: Administration (Tactical Herbicides
Page 17 and 18: Buckingham WA (1982): The Air Force
Page 19 and 20: Tactical Herbicides Deployed in Vie
Page 21 and 22: Search Strategy for Historical Docu
Page 23 and 24: DOD TACTICAL HERBICIDE SITESSite 2L
Page 31 and 32: In support of the test and evaluati
Page 33 and 34: aspen, and vaccinium. The 1963 test
Page 35 and 36: DOD TACTICAL HERBICIDE SITESSite 12
Page 43 and 44: extended to a height of 50 feet wit
Page 45 and 46: DOD TACTICAL HERBICIDE SITESSites 1
Page 49 and 50: Seven tests were also conducted at
Page 51 and 52: species found on the north side of
Page 55: DOD TACTICAL HERBICIDE SITESSite 22
Page 62 and 63: Majka JT, Cheng HH, McNeal BL (1982
Page 64 and 65: discussion, the United States Air F
Page 66 and 67: (TCDD) was complete, and preliminar
Page 68 and 69: No records could be found of how th
Page 70 and 71: Assessment: A total of 358 acres of
Page 72 and 73: Assessment: On 8 October 1973, test
Page 74 and 75: would require about 1,000 steel cyl
Page 76 and 77: e continually maintained while the
Page 80 and 81: Sources: Department of the Air Forc
Page 82 and 83: and those who participated in Opera
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