Office of the Historian

198. Memorandum From the Naval Aide to the Presidentʼs Military Representative (Bagley) to the Presidentʼs Military Representative (Taylor)1

Washington, May 18, 1962.

SUBJECT

  • Report on Visit of Defoliant Technical Team to SVN
1.
Colonel Ewell and I attended a briefing on 11 May by members of the inter-departmental technical team of defoliant experts who just returned from SVN. The team head, Brigadier General Delmore (CG, [Page 408] USA Chemical Corps) remained in SVN. Dr. Shaw of the Department of Agriculture made the presentation, which summarized the groupʼs formal report. Also present were Mr. Forrestal, Dr. MacRae from Dr. Wiesnerʼs office, and a representative of Mr. Hilsman.
2.
The key conclusion of the group is that the chemicals will do the job if properly applied. The C-123 aircraft is suitable, but the spraying equipment is not. Better equipment, some alteration of technique, particularly the use of a larger size droplet for better control and spraying during the wet season where possible, is required.
3.
All 21 areas covered by defoliant in SVN were examined. On the basis of five physical and operational criteria, the group report 70 per cent overall effectiveness (ranging from 30-95 per cent) despite technical spraying deficiencies and the fact the vegetation was sprayed during the adverse dormant period. Previous reports of lower effectiveness are due to inspections having been made too soon after spraying.
4.
There was a lengthy discussion of the differing characteristics of vegetation and the resulting interaction with chemicals. Major points made:
a.
Plants differ in their tolerance to herbicides and these differences must be taken into account in planning vegetation control and evaluating effects of chemicals. (The teamʼs observation of chemical results was much more optimistic than that received previously from the field. This is due to a later look which, under the weather conditions prevailing at the time of spraying, permitted fairer evaluation.)
b.
The optimum combination of chemicals, spraying equipment, and vegetation must be proved on the ground; there is need for more research in tropical regions.
5.
The team did not see or examine areas where food plants had been treated with chemicals. Based on extensive research in the US, however, the feasibility of killing all crops in SVN with chemicals now available, at any time during the plantʼs life cycle prior to the production of edible portions, is well established. Commercial chemicals are available with which crops in selected areas can be killed without damage to crops of the same kind in nearby areas. Operational research to join the chemical to a halo for spraying is necessary, particularly on the basis of experience in the defoliation exercise.
6.
In mid-April, prior to this briefing, Mr. Forrestal received an interim evaluation of results from Defense. It indicated a need for further technical evaluation before resuming operational tests. Based on this, he recommended to the President that experiments be conducted outside SVN and further operational use should be predicated [Page 409] on their prior success. The President apparently concurred; the relevant papers are attached.2
7.
The Expertʼs report (described above) has indicated, since that time, that there are only minor technical improvements required. Defense is proceeding with tests to accomplish this in the US. ARPA estimates completion in the next week to 10 days. The next step will be to obtain target recommendations from Saigon and for Defense and State to come forward to the President with new recommendations. The optimum spraying season will occur during the June-September period.

You may wish to determine Secretary McNamaraʼs intentions on this subject. The expertʼs report suggests this could be a lucrative R&D item, both for defoliation and crop destruction.

W.H.B.3
  1. Source: National Defense University, Taylor Papers, T-132-69. Secret.↩
  2. Not found attached, but see Documents 160 and 178.↩
  3. Printed from a copy that bears these typed initials.↩