Camp Oxley was constructed in 1943 and was first occupied by the African-American troops of the 28th Chemical Decontamination Company, (28th Cml. Decon. Coy). The primary role of a decontamination company was to 'counter the threat of crippling gas attacks on rear area service facilities.' By October 1943 a typical chemical decontamination company consisted of four 33-man platoons with a total strength of 120 men. The smallest operating unit of the company was a 10-man section.

Photographic evidence shows the 28th in Brisbane was operating an MIIA1 decontaminating unit. This apparatus consisted of a truck-mounted sprayer with a 400-gallon tank that...