Public perceptions about the Vietnam War remain filled with many myths, conspiracies, and misunderstandings, and the use of Agent Orange during the Vietnam War has had a lasting impact on Vietnam and on veterans. The Agent Orange Product Liability Litigation served as a widescale attempt by both plaintiffs and defendants to find answers such as whether the government and/or chemical companies were aware of Agent Orange's toxicity before using it and who would be liable for damages caused by Agent Orange. This landmark class action suit (1979-1984) brought together many of the individual suits filed by Vietnam veterans against these chemical companies claiming that their product caused numerous health issues for themselves and their children.
The Agent Orange Product Liability Litigation Collection, housed at the Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive, contains 550 linear feet of scientific studies, trial records, military documents about Agent Orange use, copies of case law relevant to the class action suit, and over 200 linear feet of deposition transcripts and exhibits from government officials, chemical company employees, representative plaintiffs and relevant expert witnesses who discuss a wide range of Agent Orange and dioxin related topics.
By processing and making this collection available for research, the Vietnam Center & Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive is providing previously unavailable information and insight into one of the most controversial programs during the war – the use of chemical defoliants – and the long-term impact of their use on human health and the environment. This collection appeals to a wide range of audiences including veterans, legal scholars, scientists, medical professionals, historians, and students. Given the ongoing public and academic interest in the Vietnam War, it is very exciting to provide everyone with access to a new set of documents that can help shed light on such a controversial and impactful topic.
To learn more about the materials, which were processed through a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, click on the link to view the collection's finding aid.
https://www.vietnam.ttu.edu/virtualarchive/items.php?item=26520000000
These materials are not available online and can only be viewed in person in our reading room on the Texas Tech University campus, or you can order photocopies through our reference service if you cannot visit. If you would like to access these materials, email us at vnca@ttu.edu for help planning your visit or to request copies.
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Amy Mondt
Associate Director
Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive - Texas Tech University
Lubbock TX
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