Doron Plate

Doron Plate is a strong fiberglass-based laminate that was first used by the United States military as personal body armor for infantry in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.^[1] The plates were approximately 1/8 inch thick and cut into five inch squares then inserted into pockets on a nylon vest that covered the front and back portions of the torso as well as the shoulders.^[2] The vest weighed approximately 8 pounds. The plates consist of fiberglass filaments bonded together with resin under pressure. The plates could be molded to fit the contours of the chest or back.^[3] Dow Company discovered the technology for the doron plate in May 1943 because a shortage of metal during World War II had stimulated research into non-metallic forms of body armor.^[4] The doron plate could not stop direct fire from bullets but was effective at stopping relatively slow moving flak and shrapnel.^[5] The plates were named after General G.F. Doriot who was chief of the Research and Development Branch, Office of The Quartermaster General of the Army during World War II.^[6] The doron plates were used in the Korean War in the M-1951 and T-52-2 vests and the Vietnam War in the M-1952 and M-1955 vests. Stronger and lighter materials such as Kevlar-based body armor eventually superseded the doron plate.

References

1. ^ Bull, Stephen. Encyclopedia of Military Technology and Innovation. (Greenwood Press: London) (2004) p. 19.
2. ^ Long, Allen. New Clothing for Fighters. Science News Letter (February 21, 1953) p. 122.
3. ^ King, Ludlow. Lightweight Body Armor. The Quartermaster Review (March–April 1953) http://www.quartermaster.army.mil/OQMG/professional_bulletin/2000/spring2000/Lightweight_Body_Armor.htm.
4. ^ Military Handbook: Survivability, Aircraft, Nonnuclear, Airframe-Volume 2. The Department of Defense (1983)
5. ^ Id.
6. ^ Armored Vest Fact Sheet. Office of the Quartermaster General. (1952). http://www.qmmuseum.lee.army.mil/korea/armored_vest.htm.