Office of Public Health and Environmental
Hazards
Project SHAD
Overview. Project SHAD was a series of tests conducted by the Department of
Defense (DoD) during the 1960s to determine the effectiveness of shipboard
detection of chemical and biological warfare agents, the protective measures
taken against chemical and biological warfare agents, and the potential risk to
American forces posed by these agents. Although the exact number of tests is
unknown at this time, Project SHAD involved service members from the Navy
and Army and may have involved a small number of personnel from the Marine
Corps and Air Force. Service members were not test subjects, but rather were
involved in conducting the tests. Animals were used in some, but not most,
tests. The tests were originally classified and much of the information
concerning the tests will remain classified. The Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) continues to work with DoD to obtain information as to the nature and
availability of the tests, who participated, duration and agents used.
According to DoD, as of May
2002, the following ships are known to have been involved in Project SHAD tests
Autumn Gold, Copper Head, Fearless Johnny, Flower Drum – Phase 1 and Phase 2,
and Shady Grove:
· USS Carpenter
DD-825, USS George Eastman AG-39,
· USS Granville S.
Hall YAG-40,
· USS Herbert J.
Thomas DD-833,
· USS Hoel DDG-13,
· USS Navarro
LPA-215,
· USS Power DD-839,
· USS Tioga County
LST-158,
· US Navy Covered
Lighter (barge) YFN-811, and
· US Navy Tug
ATF-105.
In addition to these ships,
five Army light tugs (LT) manned by Navy personnel identified as LT-2080, LT-
2081, LT-2085, LT-2086 and LT-2087, were used. Members of the 4533rd Tactical
Test Squadron and 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing (F-4E aircraft) were also involved
in some tests.
DoD has compiled
crew lists and unit rosters for the ships, LTs, and flight units involved in
these tests.
Information
on Project SHAD
VA Under Secretary for Health
Information Letter (IL 10-2000-012) December 1, 2000
http://vaww.va.gov/publ/direc/health/infolet/10200012.pdf
VA
Under Secretary for Health Information Letter (IL 10-2001-015) December 31,
2001
http://www.va.gov/publ/direc/health/infolet/10200115.pdf
VA Office of Public Health and
Environmental Hazards Q & A April 2002
Department of Defense Press
Release January 4, 2002
http://deploymentlink.osd.mil/news/jan02/news_10402_001.shtml
The Department of Defense has
released Fact Sheets concerning 12 SHAD tests:
DTC Test 68-50
DTC Test 69-32
Fearless Johnny
Flower Drum, Phase I
Flower Drum, Phase II
Purple Sage
Autumn Gold
Eager Belle Phase I
Eager Belle Phase II
Copper Head
Scarlet Sage
Shady Grove
(Any veteran involved in
Project SHAD who
believes that one or more of their disabilities may have resulted from exposure
during testing may file a claim for compensation with VA. For
information and assistance on applying
for service-connected
compensation contact the
nearest VA Regional Office toll-free at (800) 827-1000.
Or, apply on-line at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp. For
information and assistance by e-mail contact SHADHELPLINE@vba.va.gov.)
Veterans involved
in Project SHAD with
health-related questions or concerns can receive information and assistance by
calling toll-free (800) 749-8387.
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Page Last Reviewed or Updated: July
17, 2002