Agent Orange was a herbicide used on Vietnam during the 1950s and 1960s. It left thousands of Vietnamese civilians and U.S. veterans diseased and dead. It wiped out miles and miles of jungle and foliage across Vietnam and its bordering countries. Even though Agent Orange’s purpose was not to directly kill people, it was one of the biggest causes for death in the Vietnam War.
What Is Agent Orange? Agent Orange was a group of chemicals used in the Vietnam War. It was part of Operation Ranch Hand, a family of defoliants used on Vietnam jungle. These agents include: Agents White, Purple, Blue, Pink, Green, and of course Orange. The chemicals get their names from the color of the stripe painted on the drums that contained them. The U.S .sprayed almost 19 million gallons across jungle from 1962-1971. These mixtures of chemicals were mainly sprayed
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Vietnam reported an estimated 400,000 Vietnamese civilians dead of Agent Orange related causes. Another 500,000 next-generation children were born with serious congenital birth defects. U.S. veterans were also seriously affected. Veterans reported themselves and their families having mental and physical problems including: AL amyloidosis, chloracne, B-cell leukemias, Type 2 diabetes, Hodgkin’s disease, ischemic heart disease, multiple myelomas, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, Parkinson’s, peripheral neuropathy, prostate cancer, soft-tissue sarcomas, and respiratory cancers.
Another issue veterans and other military personnel were and still are concerned about is that the planes that dropped Agent Orange, C-123’s, have residue left behind on the drums and the wings. These cargo planes were kept in service for ten years after the Vietnam War, and it is likely that residue was left on cargo and medical supplies. The veterans who flew them and Air Force active pilots are still concerned about Agent Orange
Agent Orange was a various mixture of many chemicals combined together to expose the hidings of the Northern and Viet Cong Troops throughout the forest, also to exterminate those plants and herbs that they may use that are consumable and of use to the Vietnamese army. From the years of 1961 to 1972 many acres of Vietnam land were sprayed with Agent Orange, approximately over 19 millions gallons were used across 4.5 million acres. Alongside Agent Orange it was a war of attrition, back and forth trying to make one another weaker with simple plans as weakening them would strengthen and conquer the other. They waited one another out, the U.S. had plans of destroying their hidings spots and plants they’d use as a food source so they would be hungry and less prepared for combat. They were only invading troops, not knowing many strategies for engaging and weakening their biggest opportunity was with the agent orange to atleast get rid of some of their food supplies so they’ll be hungry and not be able to fight much or even perform
When this agent has been unleashed into a highly populated area with personnel it can lead to major chaos trophic event with many casualties and injured personnel. Past history events have supported the fact that the use of sarin is a highly toxic agent to unleash into society CBRN Agent background “GB is a first generation nerve agent that was identified in 1938 as a potential chemical agent
It was used to damage forest area, the leaves, and crops where Vietcong troops were hiding. Agent Orange made it easier for United States troops to see what was going on. In the end, “Many would blame Agent Orange for cancers suffered by Vietnamese civilians and American veterans” (Danzer 945). Since Agent Orange contains dioxin, a deadly chemical, it caused many severe health problems worldwide. “They included cancers, birth defects, rashes, and severe psychological and neurological problems” (“Agent Orange 1”).
People after the war are so distressed they either wanted to take it out on certain people or thought that they are fully responsible for the war and their suffering. The Crucible only mentioned this ingredient once when Abigail became upset over “Indians smash my dear parents' heads on the pillow next to mine. And I have seen some reddish work done at night.” Abagail was clearly upset, so he/she wanted to
Agent Orange is a dioxin, defoliant, and a mix of herbicides that have affected many people for the past 4 generations. During the Vietnam War the US military decided to spray this dioxin in the jungles of Vietnam and the Korean demilitarized zone to remove trees and dense tropical foliage that provided enemy cover. From the Vietnam War until now, many lives have been ruined and harmed due to Agent Orange and the people who have been exposed to this chemical have either had kids with birth defects or have obtained a disease or sickness as they age and through scientific research it was found that Agent Orange was the cause of these occurrences. Due to the many horrific damages from Agent Orange the US Congress had created the Agent Orange act of 1991 in order to help those who are eligible, receive certain benefits. Today I 'm going to be telling you several reasons why the Agent Orange Act of 1991 should be renewed for the next 5 years.
A country changed forever, with a beginning but possibly no foreseen end. Agent Orange worked its way into the very roots of nature and mankind. “ ...war not just on vegetation but also on the roots and essences of life itself,” as stated by Hitchens in his essay, “The Vietnam Syndrome.” Honestly, I don’t believe that those who decided to spread this chemical ever knew what the immense cost to human life would be, or just how long its effects would last. Generation after generation have felt and seen it’s maliciousness and destruction.
Chemical warfare was very dangerous and caused many deaths in WW1. There were three different types of gases used in battle mustard, chlorine, and tear gas which was the least deadly. Western nations had a treaty against poisonous weapons but the british broke the treaty when they deployed tear gas on german soldiers. Soon after German soldiers struck back with chlorine gas, which was very deadly if exposed to lungs or eyes. The french allies did not expect nor know how to prepare for a gas attacks.
On top of the dramatically climbing number of casualties, there was also a lot of controversy regarding the horrific effects that the fighting had on the mental status of soldiers. “The bitter Vietnam experience has left the United States Army with a crisis in morale and discipline as serious as any its oldest and toughest soldiers remember.” (New York Times Article, Document I ) Many times, returning soldiers would suffer from extreme anxiety and depression, dealing with the difficult memories left in place of fighting in the war. “I know my happiest moment in Vietnam was when I was hit, because I “knew” I was homeward bound.
suicide rates are double, maybe even triple Civil War rates. There were more documented military suicides in 2010 alone than the entire four years of the Civil War, as 295 service members committed suicide in 2010 versus the 278 documented suicides in Union soldiers during the entire Civil War with force sizes being relatively equal during both wars. Researchers have tried to identify exactly why there has been a dramatic increase in PTSD in modern times versus the past, but a variety of factors complicate the issue with any number of stressors capable of being the culprit, from military training, to overseas deployment, to the transition back to civilian life, to combat itself. These numbers reflect a dangerous crisis as it demonstrates a need for care and services for not only the new generation of veterans, but an increased need for care on top of the necessary aid provided to Vietnam War Veterans who continue to suffer from PTSD as well, even today. These statistics thus reflect a problem for not only the military service members of today, but the service members of tomorrow as well, as whatever factors increase the risk of PTSD today will most likely increase the rate of veterans suffering from PTSD in years to come unless the reasons for this increase can be pinpointed and specifically
In world war I and II, returning soldiers were recognized as heroes. The war in Vietnam completely changed this perspective as returning soldiers were frowned upon and strongly criticized. Anti war protests and the media turned the American people against returning soldiers. Veterans began committing suicide when they Witnessed first hand that their own country didn't care for or support them. Soldiers and veterans suffer immensely from mental disorders resulting from the horrors they've witnessed in war.
Emotional wounds inflicted upon them by unthinking citizens who blamed them for our elected politicians' wrong war. Furthermore, in Vietnam, the U.S. paid a war that, over a period, became hugely unpopular with Americans at home. In Vietnam, many soldiers fought reluctantly with many Americans drafted for war. Thousands of soldiers, who ended up drafted, served honorably in the Vietnam battle and to their families fellow countryman. Thousands of these men died in Vietnam, and if they were not that lucky, they returned home physically challenged or emotionally scarred forever.
Air Defense Artillery systems were put to use during the Vietnam War era. The systems had to do more with battlefields than to protect air bases. The weapons used were to serve as a geographical benefit. Heavy firepower was used to deliver serious land warfare. Methods of Air Defense Artillery systems deployed were executed by a variety of missions.
This highly potent substance defoliated millions of acres of forest and farmland. To this day much of that land remains degraded and unproductive. # In addition, the chemical remains toxic in the land for decades to come. soil samples were analyzed from both areas that were heavily sprayed and the former military bases where Agent Orange and other chemicals were stored and handled. In most instances, the measured dioxin levels were below the standards.
The Innocents in War How would one describe the meaning of “innocent”? To be innocent is to be guiltless and harmless. In war, can anyone be innocent? During the Vietnam war in the 60’s, a mass killing happened in the small village of My Lai.
Pedro Figueroa Hershberger English 1H May 5, 2023 Vietnam War Essay Although the Vietnam War caused many Vietnamese to lose their homes and land, their immigration to the United States had a positive impact because they brought a part of Vietnam with them, contributing to the cultural diversity and new cuisine in Little Saigon, Orange County. During the time of the Vietnam War, one of the major effects was the loss of homes and land to the Vietnamese. Many of the destruction was from bombing, but also from the use of Agent Orange, a toxic mix of chemicals used to take down forest, crops, and had brutal effects on people, the article Agent Orange states, “More than 13 million gallons of Agent Orange was used in Vietnam, or almost two-thirds of the total amount of herbicides used during the entire Vietnam War” (History.com).