DR. BRENNIE E. HACKLEY, JR.
Chemist, Teacher, Scientific Advisor
July 29, 1924 – November 5, 2006

Dr. Hackley represented the US Army Medical research program competently and effectively for almost six decades.  His efforts significantly improved communications and relationships between the Chemical and Medical Corps and strengthened the US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD’s) image as the lead laboratory for the development of medical countermeasures for chemical threat agents.

Dr. Hackley received a BS in chemistry from Wilberforce University in 1946.  Following graduation, he served as a private in the US Army at Edgewood Arsenal MD Later he was  commissioned by the Reserve Army Officers Corps.   He retired from the Army reserves in 1981 at the rank of Colonel after more than 30 years service.  His federal civilian career began in 1952 when as an organic research chemist he was assigned to          the Medicinal Chemistry Branch of the Army Chemical Center.  Dr. Hackley went on to earn advanced degrees in chemistry from the University of Delaware to include a PhD in 1957.  During his career, Dr. Hackley studied the relationship between chemical structures and chemotherapeutic activity with reference to efficacy against toxic agents.  He contributed to the elucidation of mechanisms of reactions of nucleophiles with organophosphorus compounds and synthesized a number of oximes, for which he held 18 patents.  The US Air Force adopted one of the oximes synthesized by Dr. Hackley, toxogonin, as an antidote against chemical nerve agents.

In 1984, Dr. Hackley was designated chief scientist and scientific advisor to the commander of USAMRICD. During Operation Desert Storm, Dr. Hackley responded to emergency calls for pre-deployment briefings by combat divisions for training in medical management of chemical casualties. He initiated a traveling training program and as a result, medical personnel deployed to the Gulf were significantly more prepared to treat soldiers on the battlefield, if chemical weapons were employed.  As an instructor and course director for the Medical Management of Chemical and Biological Casualties Courses, Dr. Hackley delivered lectures in Saudi Arabia, Johnston Island, Hawaii, Okinawa, Japan, and Germany on pulmonary agents, cyanide, vesicants and nerve agents.

While serving as chairman of a Scientific Steering Committee on Nerve Agent Antidotes, Dr. Hackley advised the US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command that one of the precursors that was used at that time in the synthesis of the oxime HI-6, under consideration as a replacement for the fielded 2-PAM, is carcinogenic.  Dr. Hackley convinced the command that HI-6 would not pass scrutiny by the Food and Drug Administration and that the effectiveness of HI-6 over 2-PAM was neither great enough nor cost effective enough for the US Army to justify replacing 2-PAM.

Dr. Hackley leaves a legacy of commitment and passion for US service members and he will be greatly missed.