U.S. Army Launches Operation Ranch Hand
August 10th, 1961
August 10th, 1961
How Long Ago?
63 years, 7 months, 5 days ago
Location
South Vietnam
Category
Military & Warfare
War/Conflict
Vietnam War
People
- Lyndon B. Johnson
- William Westmoreland
Links & References
Tags
U.S. Army Launches Operation Ranch Hand
The U.S. Army commenced Operation Ranch Hand with the objective of spraying approximately 20 million US gallons of defoliants and herbicides over the rural areas of South Vietnam. This initiative aimed to undermine the Viet Cong's cultivation capabilities by destroying crops and vegetation that provided cover and food. The operation marked a significant escalation in U.S. military involvement in Vietnam, reflecting the broader strategy of sabotaging enemy supply lines.
Spraying began in rural South Vietnam.
Targeted crop areas and vegetation for defoliation.
Used over 20 million gallons of herbicides.
Part of broader U.S. military strategy.
What Happened?
Operation Ranch Hand was initiated by the U.S. Army as part of its broader counterinsurgency strategy in Vietnam. The program involved the extensive aerial spraying of herbicides, including the notorious Agent Orange, which was designed to eliminate dense jungle vegetation that provided cover for the Viet Cong. Beginning in 1961, the operation marked a tactical shift in the U.S. approach to the Vietnam conflict, leaning more heavily into psychological and ecological warfare. The herbicides targeted areas where the Viet Cong were believed to cultivate crops, thereby attempting to starve and disrupt their supply chains. Over the course of the operation, an estimated 20 million US gallons of these chemicals were dispersed throughout the countryside. The spraying was conducted from aircraft, leading to widespread exposure of both combatants and civilians alike to these toxic substances. This tactic was justified by military authorities as a means of denying the enemy the ability to hide and operate effectively in South Vietnam’s rugged terrain.
Why Does it Matter?
The introduction of Operation Ranch Hand represents a significant moment in the Vietnam War, emphasizing the lengths to which the U.S. military would go to gain an advantage over the Viet Cong. The operation's reliance on herbicides and the resulting environmental and health consequences have sparked ongoing debates about the ethics of chemical warfare. The long-term effects of Agent Orange continue to impact Vietnam and the health of its veterans, making this operation a crucial part of the Vietnam War narrative.
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