History in Depth

The Office of Construction and Facilities Management is responsible for the planning, design, construction, and renovation of VA’s physical facilities. With roots in the early twentieth century, it has continually evolved to better serve the needs of the country’s Veteran population.

During the Vietnam War, the U.S. Air Force sprayed over 11 million gallons of the chemical herbicide Agent Orange as part of Operation Ranch Hand. By the late 1970s, Vietnam Veterans had begun expressing concern that exposure to Agent Orange while in the service was negatively impacting their health. This paper tracks how the Veterans Administration addressed these concerns, and includes a breakdown of notable studies, outreach efforts, and the evolving public sentiment surrounding Agent Orange. It culminates in the passage of the Agent Orange Act of 1991, a landmark legislation that was the first to legally recognize presumptive conditions for Vietnam Veterans who had been exposed to chemical herbicides.

North Vietnamese Army Divisions crossed the border of South Vietnam and rapidly advanced toward Saigon in March 1975. In a desperate attempt to stop the enemy from taking the capital city, President Nguyen Van Thieu ordered the Army to defend Xuan Loc, 20 miles northeast of Saigon.