In this 1945 image, test subjects enter a gas chamber for a U.S. military experiment that will expose them to mustard gas. Courtesy of Edgewood Arsenal hide caption
World War II Secret Mustard Gas Testing An NPR investigation found the VA failed to keep its promise of benefits to thousands of exposed veterans. And revealed previously unknown U.S. military tests that singled out the men by race.
Special Series
World War II Secret Mustard Gas Testing
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Members of the U.S. military who were exposed to mustard gas in secret experiments during World War II (from left): Harry Maxson, Louis Bessho, Rollins Edwards, Paul Goldman and Sidney Wolfson. Courtesy of the families hide caption
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World War II veteran Charles Cavell — a test subject in the military's secret mustard gas experiments — at his home in Virginia. Ariel Zambelich/NPR hide caption
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Richard Mintz and his family. Courtesy of Nan Moore hide caption
Families React To NPR's Reporting Of Secret Mustard Gas Testing
Members of the U.S. military who were exposed to mustard gas in secret experiments during World War II (from left): Harry Maxson, Louis Bessho, Rollins Edwards, Paul Goldman and Sidney Wolfson. Courtesy of the families hide caption
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Alan Oates was exposed to herbicides, such as Agent Orange, while serving in Vietnam in 1968. Decades after returning home, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, and because Congress passed the Agent Orange Act, he's able to receive VA benefits. Courtesy of Alan Oates hide caption
Can The Agent Orange Act Help Veterans Exposed To Mustard Gas?
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NPR Investigations Research Librarian Barbara Van Woerkom "took it as a challenge." Lydia Thompson/NPR hide caption
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Lawmakers Promise To Take Action After NPR's Mustard Gas Exposure Report
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Three test subjects enter a gas chamber, which will fill with mustard gas, as part of the military's secret chemical warfare testing in March 1945. Courtesy of Edgewood Arsenal hide caption
The VA's Broken Promise To Thousands Of Vets Exposed To Mustard Gas
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Rollins Edwards as a young soldier in 1945 at Clark Air Base in the Philippines. Courtesy of Rollins Edwards hide caption