William C. Patrick III

William C. Patrick III (b. circa 1927) is a now retired microbiologist and former bioweaponeer for the U.S. Army.

Patrick headed the American offensive biological warfare (BW) program at Fort Detrick, MD, U.S. beginning in 1951. After biological weapons development was discontinued by President Nixon in 1969, and the bioweapons were decommissioned in 1971-72, he continued to work at Fort Detrick on biowarfare defense projects until 1986.

Additional recommended knowledge

Daily Visual Balance Check

Don't let static charges disrupt your weighing accuracy

How to ensure accurate weighing results every day?

Biography

Youth and education

Career

The U.S. offensive BW program

From 1951 to 1966, Patrick was employed in a variety of offensive programs which included 1) Project engineer in the design and start-up operations in the virus production facility as well as the freeze drying plant at Pine Bluff Arsenal (PBA), Arkansas; 2) Plant manager of the virus pilot plant at Fort Detrick; 3) Special envoy to Dugway Proving Ground (DPG), Utah, during the field testing of several munitions systems; and 4) Chief of Agent Processing Branch, Pilot Plant Division, Biological Warfare Laboratories for several years.

Role of the Product Development Division

Patrick became Chief of Product Development Division (PDD) of the former BWL in 1965. This division was responsible for the first steps in the weaponization of an agent. He held this position until 1972 when the offensive program was disestablished. Products were developed with those desired or required biological, physical, aerobiological, and storage characteristics for employment in specific prototype munitions. Patrick worked closely with the basic research scientists, the bio-investigators and engineers in the pilot plant (see Building 470) and in the production plant at PBA, as well as with munitions development engineers. Frequently, the unique products of the division were the first to be tested in field tests at DPG, and at other field sites. Product development covered all agents and included bacteria, viruses, fungi, rickettsiase and toxins. Mathematical modeling was performed in relation to target analysis and target requirements constituted a fundamental objective in the product development cycle.

The U.S. defensive BW program

Patrick joined the new U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) in 1972 and served as its Plans and Programs Officer until 1984, reporting directly to the commander. He participated in the planning, directing, coordinating, evaluating and reporting on a broad, complex program of medical defense against BW agents. In 1984, he was promoted to one of the most senior civilian positions at USAMRIID as Program Analysis Officer, a position he held until his retirement in 1986.

In retirement

Since he left his government job, Patrick has been a consultant to the U. S. Government and private organizations. He has performed services on a contractual basis to DIA, AFMIC, CIA, USAMRIID, FBI, USSS, and many other institutions. These services include 1) lectures on agent-munitions weaponization, agent characteristics, aerosol technologies, etc; 2) mathematical modeling of agents to illustrate target coverage; 3) biodefensive and biosafety lectures; 4) analytical studies of agents and their potential; and 5) lectures on bioterrorism.

Patrick’s BW experience provided significant insights into Iraq’s BW program. On the UNSCOM 78 trip to Iraq (1994), his observations on how process equipment was being used at the Al Hakum facility provided the nearest thing to a “smoking gun” for Iraqi intent until they themselves declared an extensive BW program in 1995. He continues to conduct lectures on the following subjects: History of Biological Warfare; Agent; Munition Weaponization; Aerosol Technology; Agent Modeling; Biosafety; Biodefense; and BW Terrorism. He has appeared on all of the major U. S. television networks as well as the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the BBC, PBS, the History Channel, The Learning Channel, and the Discovery Channel.

Awards

Patrick has been awarded a CIA Meritorious Citation, and the Order of Military Medical Merit.