United States Chemical Corps Essay

The United States Chemical Corps has served the United States for 96 years. The Corps has adapted and changed dramatically to serve the Army’s need. Throughout WWI, WWII, Vietnam War and the Desert Storm. Chemical Corps played a big part in developing and improving the U.S. chemical and biological capabilities. The Corps has been a pinnacle part of the U.S. Army chemical and biological capabilities both offensive and defensive. They continue to adapt and overcome new challenges as the enemy is getting smarter and more technically advanced past, present and future.

The Chemical corps has changed dramatically since it was created in June 1918. The United States Army was not prepared for chemical warfare in World War I. The United States sent

First General Pershing had to develop the American Expeditionary force so the United States could start their own gas defense program. They relied heavily on the United Kingdom to supply and train the small American force that was there since the United States was in no way prepared for gas warfare. General Pershing knew that thousands of Americans would perish if they couldn’t figure out how to use chemical weapons offensively. So the War Department authorized gas and flame regiment in each American Army. The famed “Hellfire boys” served in the battle of Saint-Mihiel firing smoke for our allies so they can complete the assault through German lines and secure and fortify the city of Metz. This put the CWS as a success and helped secure their role in the United States Army. During interwar years the CWS focused on the production of chemical warfare agents and better delivery systems. Such as developing the 4.2 in mortar and gas bombs which ended up being so effective that in WWII other Corps such as the Infantry adopted the 4.2 in mortar into the arsenal. The CWS was always prepared to deploy chemical weapons but were mostly used for hip-pocket artillery support. The newly founded smoke was used heavily throughout the war for combat river crossing and port survivability. In Vietnam War was ab better sweet time for the Chemical Corps. They developed and used “people sniffers” to find the enemy in their jungle hideouts. The Corps was also using thickened flame fuel devices that were made to burn jungle areas to clear the mines and booby traps. This finally brings me to Desert Storm. This war revitalized the chemical corps and they rose to the occasion. They conducted smoke operations that were effective in both deception and screening. Completing the complex challenge of ensuring the Iraqis destroyed all their NBC