Different tactical herbicides were used at different times during the war (Young, 2009). By far the most widely used herbicide was Agent Orange , followed by Agent White; other tactical herbicides that were used in Vietnam during the war include Agent Blue, Agent Purple, Agent Pink, and Agent Green.
What chemicals were in Agent Orange?
The two active ingredients in the Agent Orange herbicide combination were equal amounts of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) , which contained traces of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). The dioxin TCDD was an unwanted byproduct of herbicide production.
What weapons were used in Vietnam War?
Nearly all United States-allied forces were armed with U.S. weapons including the M1 Garand, M1 carbine, M14 and M16 . The Australian and New Zealand forces employed the 7.62 mm L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle as their service rifle, with the occasional US M16.
What was the chemical that was used often during the Vietnam War?
Agent Orange , mixture of herbicides that U.S. military forces sprayed in Vietnam from 1962 to 1971 during the Vietnam War for the dual purpose of defoliating forest areas that might conceal Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces and destroying crops that might feed the enemy.
Was Agent Orange used as a weapon?
The “Rainbow Herbicides” left a lethal legacy. While Agent Orange may be the most well-known chemical used during the Vietnam War, it wasn’t the only one. ... The Rainbow Herbicides, as they were known, were only used as weapons in the war for a little over a decade , but their consequences can still be felt today.
Did US soldiers use AK 47 in Vietnam?
While the Soviet Avtomat Kalashnikova has become the iconic weapon of bad guys in Hollywood blockbusters and big-budget video games, U.S. commandos made good use of the rugged rifles in Vietnam . ... “This resulted in the AK-47 being something of a prestige weapon.”
Who gave Vietnam weapons?
Communist forces were principally armed with Chinese [2] and Soviet weaponry[3] though some Viet Cong guerrilla units were equipped with Western infantry weapons either captured from French stocks during the first Indochina war or from ARVN units or requisitioned through illicit purchase.
What are the 14 diseases associated with Agent Orange?
- Chronic B-Cell Leukemia.
- Hodgkin’s disease.
- Multiple Myeloma.
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
- Prostate cancer.
- Respiratory Cancers.
- Soft tissue sarcomas.
- Ischemic heart disease.
What responsibility does the US have to Vietnam due to Agent Orange?
Our government has a moral and legal obligation , under international law, to compensate the people of Vietnam for the devastating impact of Agent Orange, and to assist in alleviating its effects.
What two damages did Agent Orange cause?
Short-term exposure to dioxin can cause darkening of the skin, liver problems and a severe acne-like skin disease called chloracne. Additionally, dioxin is linked to type 2 diabetes, immune system dysfunction, nerve disorders, muscular dysfunction, hormone disruption and heart disease.
What two chemical weapons did the US use in Vietnam?
2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) was the main active ingredient of Agent Orange and the herbicides used earlier in the Vietnam War. As a result of the synthesis of 2,4,5-T, it was contaminated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD, also referred to as TCDD).
Why did the US use chemical weapons in Vietnam?
As part of this Vietnam War effort, from 1961 to 1971, the United States sprayed over 73 million liters of chemical agents on the country to strip away the vegetation that provided cover for Vietcong troops in “enemy territory.”
Did the US compensate Vietnam for Agent Orange?
During its operation, the Settlement Fund distributed a total of $197 million in cash payments to members of the class in the United States. Of the 105,000 claims received by the Payment Program, approximately 52,000 Vietnam Veterans or their survivors received cash payments which averaged about $3,800 each.
Who was responsible for Agent Orange?
During the war, Dow, Monsanto and other companies were compelled by the U.S. government to produce Agent Orange under the U.S. Defense Production Act of 1950. The government strictly controlled the transport, storage, use, and the specifications to which Agent Orange was to be manufactured exclusively for the military.
What are signs of Agent Orange?
There is a direct link between exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange and chloracne. This condition causes severe blemishes on the face, like nodules, cysts, and blackheads . Some other areas of the body, like the neck and groin, may also become affected.
What is the difference between Agent Orange and napalm?
Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War to clear dense vegetation, is a deadly herbicide with long-lasting effects. Napalm, a gel-like fuel mixture that burns slowly and more accurately than gasoline , was used in bombs.
