OPERATION RANCH HAND

The extraction from the Plain of Reeds was a precise work of art but something was not right. Instead of heading east, back in the direction we came, we headed north along the Vietnam-Cambodian border into heavey jungle. This was our new area of operations. 

At times it seemed as if we were the only unit fighting the war as we entered yet another eco system unlike any we've worked before. Triple canopy jungle was a new concept with new equipment. Machetes, M-79 Grenade Launcher Canister Rounds, and the M-72 LAW (light anti-armor weapon) were handed out to add to our arsenal. Night vision scopes and any heavy equipment were no longer needed and left behind in the choppers. Adding to our misery was the beginning of the annual Monsoons and life became increasingly harder if that were possible. Being constantly wet or hot steaming dry was our new dailey routine and was only broken by the occasional river crossing infested with leaches. Welcome to the jungle.

The tropical rain forests of Southeast Asia were a sight to behold. If it weren't for the Vietcong constantly trying to kill us I could enjoy the rich green foliage of the Eastern Central Highlands of South Vietnam. Coupled with our dailey dousing of rain at precisely the same each day was the ever rising heat index creating an outdoor sauna of unrelentless sweat and steam. If we weren't drenched from the rain we were drenched from sweat and taking off our jungle fatigues was out of the question. Mosquitos, ants, spiders, snakes, and an assortment of creepy crawly things that bite, claw, and scratch were part of everyday life here and they were just waiting to latch on for an easy meal. 

Moving through the jungle was a tedious painstaking job of hard work as machete wielding soldiers hacked their way through triple canopy growth becoming an easy target and vulnerable for attack. The element of surprise was now in the hands of our enemies and we were constantly on alert. The point man was our best defensive posture to cope with this ever increasing dangerous new scenario. One man out alone yards ahead of everyone else risked his life to help the others. By putting himself in harms way he would be the first man attacked alerting the others. Land mines, booby traps, and sniper fire was a given possibility at all times not to mention a full head on attack. The point man was alone making it the riskiest job in our unit and each of us took our turn. Working alone in heavy growth was a dangerous job but approaching an open area in the canopy was an even greater problem. It brought the risk factor to yet another level.

Breaks in the jungle were a perfect opportunity to launch an attack. Here an eight man unit follows the point mans lead through a wet low lying break in the canopy perfect for an ambush.

The beauty of the jungle hides many dangers. Camouflaged Vietcong used the foliage to their advantage perfecting the art of concealment and surprise.

Crossing rivers and streams brought new hazards and obstacles to jungle warfare. After crossing a body of water time had to be spent inspecting our bodies for leaches. Each soldier had to strip down and be inspected by another soldier as soon as it was safe. Liquid bug repellant, known as bug juice, or a burning cigarette was used to remove the head of the leach embedded beneath the skin.

We worked the Vietnam Cambodian border for a month in beautiful lush green landscape. The only  brake in the canopy was the occasional natural contour of the land and other large extensive dry tracks of dead foliage void of life. Familiar with the chard flash fires of the Plain of Reeds there was no evidence of fire in these areas just dead trees, intertwined vines, and lifeless ground cover. Baffling the imagination it took on an eerie apocalyptic appearance. Militarily there was little ground cover for hiding and carrying out any sort of an offensive. Spending days crossing these voids we were now carrying out missions in defoliated areas of Agent Orange jungle sometimes as large as counties. 

Agent Orange sprayed from helicopters over strategic areas of jungle.

Fixed wing aircraft spraying Agent Orange crop duster style.

The Vietnam War was a new concept in fighting and called for new techniques to combat the buildup of munitions and arms suppled to our enemies. In previous wars two armies went head to head until the last man was standing or one of the combatants gave up or retreated. Vietnam proved different as guerrilla warefare drew in new concepts of fighting and Ho Chi Minh's revolutionary training was put to the test. The mentality of the U.S. superpower was to throw muscle at the problem and if the Vietcong was using the jungle to hide than the easiest way to deal with the problem was to destroy the jungle. Fireballs of Naplm bombs and B-52 bombing missions were costly and came dangerously close to allied forces fighting in close quarters. To combat the use of jungles by the Vietcong the U.S. came up with a new revolutionary concept of fighting using defoliating dioxins to kill the foliage. Agent Orange was sprayed on large tracks of land to defoliate the jungle and deprive the enemy of a covering element to carry out their missions. This was the new war in Southeast Asia.

Leaving little place to hide Vietcong supply routes are exposed by Agent Orange.

OPERATION RANCH HAND

Between 1962 and 1971 the U.S. dumped more than 10.6 million gallons of herbicide on Southeast Asia in order to deprive the enemy of ground cover provided by dense jungles and foliage. This massive defoliating project was called "Operation Ranch Hand," and was successful in defoliating an area the size of Massachusetts. Agent Orange, so named because it was shipped in orange striped 55-gallon drums, was sprayed from fixed and rotary wing aircraft. Agent Orange was also sprayed from trucks and backpacks to defoliate base camp perimeters, landing zones, and other areas. It is estimated that 2.4 million Americans were in Vietnam during Operation Ranch Hand. Ground forces were in areas during and immediately after spraying while others actually handled Agent Orange.

Veterans exposed to Agent Orange and it's dioxin contaminants began reporting a variety of symptoms upon returning home. These symptoms included: chloracne, chloracne formed lesions, liver damage, loss of sex drive, changes in skin color, sensitivity to light, numbness or tingling in extremities, psychological changes, sore joints, cancer, and birth defects in children. 

In 1978 veterans began demanding that something be done. A Veterans Administration employee at the Chicago Regional Office Maude DeVictor began gathering information on the issue and was instrumental in generating publicity that opened the problem to public scrutiny. 

Michael Ryan served a thirteen month tour of duty in Vietnam from August 1966 thru September 1967 in an area contaminated with Agent Orange. Upon returning home Michael, a police officer in Suffolk County New York, and wife Maureen had their second child in 1971. Kerry Ryan was born with multiple birth defects and sustained a life of wheelchairs, hospitals, and relentless setbacks in an otherwise bedridden state. Kerry died in 2006 of kidney failure associated with second generation birth defects associated with Agent Orange.

Michael and Kerry began what would become a decade long fight of public awareness and a three and a half decade long fight for survival. In 1979 and 1980 respectively the Ryan's were named in a class action lawsuit against Dow Chemicals, the maker of Agent Orange, and gaining national support travelled to Washington and testified before Congress. Michael and Kerry both wheelchair bound fought tiredlessly for government acknowledgement of Agent Orange issues for veterans. Kerry Ryan became a poster child for veterans rights. In 1982 the Ryan's wrote a book, "Kerry: Agent Orange and an American Family." 

On the left Michael stands vigil at Kerry's bedside in 2006 and on the right decades earlier they testify before congress for veterans rights.

Articles and brochures on display in THE ART OF WAR exhibition. 

On May 7, 1984 all parties concerned in the litigation agreed to an out of court settlement. "Agent Orange" Product Liability Litigation was brought before Federal Judge Jack B. Weinstein in the Eastern District of New York. The defendant chemical companies agreed to pay $180 million to the plaintiffs which was comprised of Vietnam Veterans and their families. Various appeals delayed the distribution of the settlement fund for over four years and during that period the settlement grew to $240 million. It took ten years to distribute the funds fairly. A case by case solution was established to determine the amount to issue and study the effects of Agent Orange. Unfortunately veterans and their children were suffering and in some cases dying during this time. 

Gina Marie Romeo, my youngest child, was born in 1995 the final year of the Agent Orange funds distribution but it would not be until several years later that we discovered the extent of her condition. She was hearing impaired with auditory processing disorders. At the time it never occurred to me to connect the dots and retrace my footsteps back through Vietnam pinpointing actual locations of my service. Gina Marie was my second child exhibiting similar symptoms along with additional birth defects in another. Having two children with similar conditions from separate mothers was to much of a coincidence and I began to investigate and fight on their behalf.

I subpoenaed my military and medical records and retraced my history back through Vietnam and specific area's of operation. The triple canopy jungle along the Vietnam Cambodian border where I carried out specific missions was the most contaminated and heavily sprayed area in all Southeast Asia. 

In 1995 I filed my sixth case against entities related in some way to my Vietnam experience and for the sixth time I was successful. Monetary gain was not the driving force behind my quest but rather a sense of responsibility and accountability against all parties concerned. It seems my life has been an uphill fight for survival ever since I could remember and has been the mantra for my existence. The war was brought to me as a child and has remained a constant physical, psychological, and emotional thorn since it's inception. The struggle continues not only for veterans but for our children. Vietnam veterans are dying young and yet the legacy carries forward. An event that took place thirty years before my daughters birth will live with her forever and only time will tell if her offspring will bear the scars of the War in Southeast Asia.

The Special Master of Appeals United States District Court in Brooklyn NY graciously renders his decision. On behalf of Federal Judge Jack B. Weinstein they vote in my favor. 

All articles and letters on file in THE ART OF WAR exhibition.

Letterhead Agent Orange Administration

The lush green jungles of Southeast Asia are home to countless plant and animal species. Located in Southern Laos, Central Western Vietnam, and Notheastern Cambodia this areas features lakes, streams, and of course the Mekong River that are fed by the annual Monsoon rains.

Spending an afternoon hiking into this water wonderland I was taken to this system of spring fed streams and waterfalls creating a surreal landscape of a reinvigorated Eco system. It was eerie to be back in the jungle again after so many years. The dampness and smell of a combined plant and earth compote brought back many memories. On this visit I could enjoy the peace and tranquility the jungle was intended for and relax knowing there was no enemy hiding in the bush.

NAMASTE !

Further hiking into the source of this wonderland I found this Eco system of water and foliage. I sat in awe of this magnificent scene and couldn't remember the horror the jungle once held for me. The Sun peaked through the canopy and danced across the mist filled air creating a haze only Mother Nature could create. Welcome to the jungle.

Some areas of the jungle are being reclaimed by world organizations like World Monuments Fund. Members of UNESCO contribute funds to clear out and restore ancient ruins the jungle has reclaimed. Preah Khan Temple is being restored under this project by the United States.

Coincidentally Preah Khan Temple was once a hiding place for Vietcong fighters during the war. The Vietcong would work and fight out of this temple and the local population would use it as a sanctuary when the American bombers attacked the surrounding area.

The names and dates of Vietcong fighters are etched in the ancient sandstone pillars.

1970-1972

Selfie in front of one of the many jungle trees that have grown back after the war.

The former Vietcong residents have given way to the new inhabitants, the monkeys.

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