On this day in 1962, the US military began its 11-year chemical warfare campaign against the people of Vietnam and Laos, dropping 19 million gallons of Agent Orange over 20% of both countries, poisoning at least 3 million people and causing over a million birth defects. 
US President John F. Kennedy personally approved “Operation Ranch Hand” in 1962, beginning the spraying of Agent Orange (and other chemicals) over 5 million acres of jungle and 500,000 acres of crops, including over 20,000 spray flights.
US use of Agent Orange was “inspired” by its use by the British during an anti-colonial uprising in Malaysia in the 1950s. US Sec of State Dean Rusk referenced British use of Agent Orange as a legal justification for why US use didn’t violate the laws of war.
US use of Agent Orange continued into the 1970s despite Federation of American Scientists criticizing it as early as 1964, and a study in 1969 showing it caused birth defects in mice.
The problem of birth defects is likely to continue as the chemicals have entered the food supply. Environmentalists say the country could see 6 to 12 more generations of victims.
Vietnamese Association for Victims of Agent Orange (VAVA), have been attempted to sue in US courts for compensation for the victims. It filled cases in 2004, 2007 and 2009 – seeking compensation from 37 chemical companies that manufactured Agent Orange.
It lost all three cases. The US courts ruled there was insufficient scientific evidence to link Agent Orange to the debilitating condition many Vietnamese were suffering.
scmp.com/week-asia/geop…
scmp.com/week-asia/geop…
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