Napalm, << NAY pahm, >> is a powder used to thicken gasoline for use in war. When napalm is added to gasoline, the result—a jellylike explosive—is also often called napalm.
Loading the player...Dropping napalm on a village
A napalm bomb dropped from the air bursts, ignites, and splatters burning napalm over a wide area. The jellied gasoline clings to everything it touches, and burns violently. Napalm causes death from burns or suffocation. Napalm is also used in flame throwers carried by ground troops (see Flame thrower ). Napalm was used in World War II (1939-1945), the Korean War (1950-1953), the Vietnam War (1957-1975), and the Persian Gulf War of 1991.
