diff --git a/build.xml b/build.xml
index 238e773bd..62a10f8fb 100644
--- a/build.xml
+++ b/build.xml
@@ -801,6 +801,9 @@
 
       <exclude name="${optional.package}/perforce/*.java"
                unless="jakarta.oro.present" />
+
+      <exclude name="org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/TestProcess.java"
+               unless="jdk1.3+" />
     </javac>
   </target>
 
@@ -890,6 +893,9 @@
 
           <exclude name="${optional.package}/perforce/*.java"
                    unless="jakarta.oro.present" />
+
+          <!-- interactive test -->
+          <exclude name="org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/TestProcess.java" />
         </fileset>
       </batchtest>
 
@@ -918,6 +924,14 @@
     </junit>
   </target>
 
+  <target name="interactive-tests" description="--> runs interactive tests"
+          depends="compile-tests"
+          if="jdk1.3+">
+    <java classpathref="tests-classpath"
+          classname="org.apache.tools.ant.taskdefs.TestProcess" 
+          fork="true" />
+  </target>
+
   <!--
        ===================================================================
          Main target - runs dist-lite by default
diff --git a/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/Execute.java b/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/Execute.java
index c393d5f66..e283ac24b 100644
--- a/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/Execute.java
+++ b/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/Execute.java
@@ -92,14 +92,17 @@ public class Execute {
     private boolean newEnvironment = false;
 
     /** Controls whether the VM is used to launch commands, where possible */
-    private boolean useVMLauncher = true;    
-    
+    private boolean useVMLauncher = true;
+
     private static String antWorkingDirectory = System.getProperty("user.dir");
     private static CommandLauncher vmLauncher = null;
     private static CommandLauncher shellLauncher = null;
     private static Vector procEnvironment = null;
 
-    /** 
+    /** Used to destroy processes when the VM exits. */
+    private static ProcessDestroyer processDestroyer = new ProcessDestroyer();
+
+    /**
      * Builds a command launcher for the OS and JVM we are running under
      */
     static {
@@ -133,7 +136,7 @@ public class Execute {
             }
 
             // Determine if we're running under 2000/NT or 98/95
-            String osname = 
+            String osname =
                 System.getProperty("os.name").toLowerCase(Locale.US);
 
             if ( osname.indexOf("nt") >= 0 || osname.indexOf("2000") >= 0 ) {
@@ -183,7 +186,7 @@ public class Execute {
                 // Just try to use what we got
             }
 
-            BufferedReader in = 
+            BufferedReader in =
                 new BufferedReader(new StringReader(out.toString()));
             String var = null;
             String line, lineSep = System.getProperty("line.separator");
@@ -208,7 +211,7 @@ public class Execute {
             }
             // Since we "look ahead" before adding, there's one last env var.
             procEnvironment.addElement(var);
-        } 
+        }
         catch (java.io.IOException exc) {
             exc.printStackTrace();
             // Just try to see how much we got
@@ -224,7 +227,7 @@ public class Execute {
             return cmd;
         }
         else if ( Os.isFamily("windows") ) {
-            String osname = 
+            String osname =
                 System.getProperty("os.name").toLowerCase(Locale.US);
             // Determine if we're running under 2000/NT or 98/95
             if ( osname.indexOf("nt") >= 0 || osname.indexOf("2000") >= 0 ) {
@@ -243,7 +246,7 @@ public class Execute {
             // Alternatively one could use: /bin/sh -c env
             String[] cmd = {"/usr/bin/env"};
             return cmd;
-        } 
+        }
         else if ( Os.isFamily("netware") ) {
             String[] cmd = {"env"};
             return cmd;
@@ -332,7 +335,7 @@ public class Execute {
      * Sets the environment variables for the subprocess to launch.
      *
      * @param commandline array of Strings, each element of which has
-     * an environment variable settings in format <em>key=value</em> 
+     * an environment variable settings in format <em>key=value</em>
      */
     public void setEnvironment(String[] env) {
         this.env = env;
@@ -366,17 +369,17 @@ public class Execute {
 
     /**
      * Launch this execution through the VM, where possible, rather than through
-     * the OS's shell. In some cases and operating systems using the shell will 
-     * allow the shell to perform additional processing such as associating an 
+     * the OS's shell. In some cases and operating systems using the shell will
+     * allow the shell to perform additional processing such as associating an
      * executable with a script, etc
      *
-     * @param vmLauncher true if exec should launch through thge VM, 
+     * @param vmLauncher true if exec should launch through thge VM,
      *                   false if the shell should be used to launch the command.
      */
     public void setVMLauncher(boolean useVMLauncher) {
         this.useVMLauncher = useVMLauncher;
     }
-    
+
     /**
      * Runs a process defined by the command line and returns its exit status.
      *
@@ -389,7 +392,7 @@ public class Execute {
         if (!useVMLauncher) {
             launcher = shellLauncher;
         }
-        
+
         final Process process = launcher.exec(project, getCommandline(), getEnvironment(), workingDirectory);
         try {
             streamHandler.setProcessInputStream(process.getOutputStream());
@@ -400,8 +403,18 @@ public class Execute {
             throw e;
         }
         streamHandler.start();
+
+        // add the process to the list of those to destroy if the VM exits
+        //
+        processDestroyer.add(process);
+
         if (watchdog != null) watchdog.start(process);
         waitFor(process);
+
+        // remove the process to the list of those to destroy if the VM exits
+        //
+        processDestroyer.remove(process);
+
         if (watchdog != null) watchdog.stop();
         streamHandler.stop();
         if (watchdog != null) watchdog.checkException();
@@ -434,9 +447,9 @@ public class Execute {
      * @since 1.5
      */
     public boolean killedProcess() {
-        return watchdog!=null && watchdog.killedProcess();    
+        return watchdog!=null && watchdog.killedProcess();
     }
-    
+
     /**
      * Patch the current environment with the new values from the user.
      * @return the patched environment
@@ -474,7 +487,7 @@ public class Execute {
     {
         try {
             task.log(Commandline.toString(cmdline), Project.MSG_VERBOSE);
-            Execute exe = new Execute(new LogStreamHandler(task, 
+            Execute exe = new Execute(new LogStreamHandler(task,
                                                            Project.MSG_INFO,
                                                            Project.MSG_ERR));
             exe.setAntRun(task.getProject());
@@ -483,7 +496,7 @@ public class Execute {
             if ( retval != 0 ) {
                 throw new BuildException(cmdline[0] + " failed with return code " + retval, task.getLocation());
             }
-        } 
+        }
         catch (java.io.IOException exc) {
             throw new BuildException("Could not launch " + cmdline[0] + ": " + exc, task.getLocation());
         }
@@ -496,7 +509,7 @@ public class Execute {
      */
     private static class CommandLauncher
     {
-        /** 
+        /**
          * Launches the given command in a new process.
          *
          * @param project       The project that the command is part of
@@ -509,11 +522,11 @@ public class Execute {
             if (project != null) {
                 project.log("Execute:CommandLauncher: " +
                             Commandline.toString(cmd), Project.MSG_DEBUG);
-            }                            
+            }
             return Runtime.getRuntime().exec(cmd, env);
         }
 
-        /** 
+        /**
          * Launches the given command in a new process, in the given working
          * directory.
          *
@@ -544,7 +557,7 @@ public class Execute {
          * Launches the given command in a new process.  Needs to quote
          * arguments
          */
-        public Process exec(Project project, String[] cmd, String[] env) throws IOException 
+        public Process exec(Project project, String[] cmd, String[] env) throws IOException
         {
             // Need to quote arguments with spaces, and to escape quote characters
             String[] newcmd = new String[cmd.length];
@@ -554,7 +567,7 @@ public class Execute {
             if (project != null) {
                 project.log("Execute:Java11CommandLauncher: " +
                             Commandline.toString(newcmd), Project.MSG_DEBUG);
-            }                            
+            }
             return Runtime.getRuntime().exec(newcmd, env);
         }
     }
@@ -571,44 +584,44 @@ public class Execute {
             _execWithCWD = Runtime.class.getMethod("exec", new Class[] {String[].class, String[].class, File.class});
         }
 
-        /** 
+        /**
          * Launches the given command in a new process, in the given working
          * directory
          */
-        public Process exec(Project project, String[] cmd, String[] env, File workingDir) 
+        public Process exec(Project project, String[] cmd, String[] env, File workingDir)
             throws IOException
         {
             try {
                 if (project != null) {
                     project.log("Execute:Java13CommandLauncher: " +
                                 Commandline.toString(cmd), Project.MSG_DEBUG);
-                }                                
+                }
                 Object[] arguments = { cmd, env, workingDir };
                 return (Process)_execWithCWD.invoke(Runtime.getRuntime(), arguments);
-            } 
+            }
             catch (InvocationTargetException exc) {
                 Throwable realexc = exc.getTargetException();
                 if ( realexc instanceof ThreadDeath ) {
                     throw (ThreadDeath)realexc;
-                } 
+                }
                 else if ( realexc instanceof IOException ) {
                     throw (IOException)realexc;
-                } 
+                }
                 else {
                     throw new BuildException("Unable to execute command", realexc);
                 }
-            } 
+            }
             catch (Exception exc) {
                 // IllegalAccess, IllegalArgument, ClassCast
                 throw new BuildException("Unable to execute command", exc);
             }
         }
-        
+
         private Method _execWithCWD;
     }
-    
+
     /**
-     * A command launcher that proxies another command launcher.  
+     * A command launcher that proxies another command launcher.
      *
      * Sub-classes override exec(args, env, workdir)
      */
@@ -619,7 +632,7 @@ public class Execute {
             _launcher = launcher;
         }
 
-        /** 
+        /**
          * Launches the given command in a new process.  Delegates this
          * method to the proxied launcher
          */
@@ -643,7 +656,7 @@ public class Execute {
             super(launcher);
         }
 
-        /** 
+        /**
          * Launches the given command in a new process, in the given working
          * directory.
          */
@@ -685,7 +698,7 @@ public class Execute {
             super(launcher);
         }
 
-        /** 
+        /**
          * Launches the given command in a new process, in the given working
          * directory
          */
@@ -698,7 +711,7 @@ public class Execute {
             System.getProperties().put("user.dir", workingDir.getAbsolutePath());
             try {
                 return exec(project, cmd, env);
-            } 
+            }
             finally {
                 System.getProperties().put("user.dir", antWorkingDirectory);
             }
@@ -717,7 +730,7 @@ public class Execute {
             _script = script;
         }
 
-        /** 
+        /**
          * Launches the given command in a new process, in the given working
          * directory
          */
@@ -729,7 +742,7 @@ public class Execute {
                 }
                 throw new IOException("Cannot locate antRun script: No project provided");
             }
-            
+
             // Locate the auxiliary script
             String antHome = project.getProperty("ant.home");
             if ( antHome == null ) {
@@ -747,7 +760,7 @@ public class Execute {
             newcmd[0] = antRun;
             newcmd[1] = commandDir.getAbsolutePath();
             System.arraycopy(cmd, 0, newcmd, 2, cmd.length);
-            
+
             return exec(project, newcmd, env);
         }
 
@@ -766,7 +779,7 @@ public class Execute {
             _script = script;
         }
 
-        /** 
+        /**
          * Launches the given command in a new process, in the given working
          * directory
          */
@@ -778,7 +791,7 @@ public class Execute {
                 }
                 throw new IOException("Cannot locate antRun script: No project provided");
             }
-            
+
             // Locate the auxiliary script
             String antHome = project.getProperty("ant.home");
             if ( antHome == null ) {
@@ -797,7 +810,7 @@ public class Execute {
             newcmd[1] = antRun;
             newcmd[2] = commandDir.getAbsolutePath();
             System.arraycopy(cmd, 0, newcmd, 3, cmd.length);
-            
+
             return exec(project, newcmd, env);
         }
 
diff --git a/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/ProcessDestroyer.java b/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/ProcessDestroyer.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2f8c9c2e0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/ProcessDestroyer.java
@@ -0,0 +1,138 @@
+/*
+ * The Apache Software License, Version 1.1
+ *
+ * Copyright (c) 2001 The Apache Software Foundation.  All rights
+ * reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
+ * are met:
+ *
+ * 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ *    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *
+ * 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in
+ *    the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
+ *    distribution.
+ *
+ * 3. The end-user documentation included with the redistribution, if
+ *    any, must include the following acknowlegement:
+ *       "This product includes software developed by the
+ *        Apache Software Foundation (http://www.apache.org/)."
+ *    Alternately, this acknowlegement may appear in the software itself,
+ *    if and wherever such third-party acknowlegements normally appear.
+ *
+ * 4. The names "The Jakarta Project", "Ant", and "Apache Software
+ *    Foundation" must not be used to endorse or promote products derived
+ *    from this software without prior written permission. For written
+ *    permission, please contact apache@apache.org.
+ *
+ * 5. Products derived from this software may not be called "Apache"
+ *    nor may "Apache" appear in their names without prior written
+ *    permission of the Apache Group.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED ``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED
+ * WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
+ * OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
+ * DISCLAIMED.  IN NO EVENT SHALL THE APACHE SOFTWARE FOUNDATION OR
+ * ITS CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
+ * SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF
+ * USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND
+ * ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY,
+ * OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT
+ * OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
+ * SUCH DAMAGE.
+ * ====================================================================
+ *
+ * This software consists of voluntary contributions made by many
+ * individuals on behalf of the Apache Software Foundation.  For more
+ * information on the Apache Software Foundation, please see
+ * <http://www.apache.org/>.
+ */
+
+package org.apache.tools.ant.taskdefs;
+
+import java.lang.reflect.Method;
+import java.util.Enumeration;
+import java.util.Vector;
+
+/**
+ * Destroys all registered <code>Process</code>es when the VM exits.
+ *
+ * @author <a href="mailto:mnewcomb@tacintel.com">Michael Newcomb</a>
+ */
+class ProcessDestroyer
+    extends Thread
+{
+
+    private Vector processes = new Vector();
+
+    /**
+     * Constructs a <code>ProcessDestroyer</code> and registers it as
+     * a shutdown hook.
+     */
+    public ProcessDestroyer()
+    {
+        try
+        {
+            // check to see if the method exists (support pre-JDK 1.3 VMs)
+            //
+            Class[] paramTypes = {Thread.class};
+            Method addShutdownHook =
+                Runtime.class.getMethod("addShutdownHook", paramTypes);
+
+            // add the hook
+            //
+            Object[] args = {this};
+            addShutdownHook.invoke(Runtime.getRuntime(), args);
+        }
+        catch (Exception e)
+        {
+            // it just won't be added as a shutdown hook... :(
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns <code>true</code> if the specified <code>Process</code> was
+     * successfully added to the list of processes to destroy upon VM exit.
+     *
+     * @param   process the process to add
+     * @return  <code>true</code> if the specified <code>Process</code> was
+     *          successfully added
+     */
+    public boolean add(Process process)
+    {
+        processes.addElement(process);
+        return processes.contains(process);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns <code>true</code> if the specified <code>Process</code> was
+     * successfully removed from the list of processes to destroy upon VM exit.
+     *
+     * @param   process the process to remove
+     * @return  <code>true</code> if the specified <code>Process</code> was
+     *          successfully removed
+     */
+    public boolean remove(Process process)
+    {
+        return processes.removeElement(process);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Invoked by the VM when it is exiting.
+     */
+    public void run()
+    {
+        synchronized(processes)
+        {
+            Enumeration e = processes.elements();
+            while (e.hasMoreElements())
+            {
+                ((Process) e.nextElement()).destroy();
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/testcases/org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/TestProcess.java b/src/testcases/org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/TestProcess.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8f1da4e97
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/testcases/org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/TestProcess.java
@@ -0,0 +1,123 @@
+/*
+ * The Apache Software License, Version 1.1
+ *
+ * Copyright (c) 2001 The Apache Software Foundation.  All rights
+ * reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
+ * are met:
+ *
+ * 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ *    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *
+ * 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in
+ *    the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
+ *    distribution.
+ *
+ * 3. The end-user documentation included with the redistribution, if
+ *    any, must include the following acknowlegement:
+ *       "This product includes software developed by the
+ *        Apache Software Foundation (http://www.apache.org/)."
+ *    Alternately, this acknowlegement may appear in the software itself,
+ *    if and wherever such third-party acknowlegements normally appear.
+ *
+ * 4. The names "The Jakarta Project", "Ant", and "Apache Software
+ *    Foundation" must not be used to endorse or promote products derived
+ *    from this software without prior written permission. For written
+ *    permission, please contact apache@apache.org.
+ *
+ * 5. Products derived from this software may not be called "Apache"
+ *    nor may "Apache" appear in their names without prior written
+ *    permission of the Apache Group.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED ``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED
+ * WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
+ * OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
+ * DISCLAIMED.  IN NO EVENT SHALL THE APACHE SOFTWARE FOUNDATION OR
+ * ITS CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
+ * SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF
+ * USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND
+ * ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY,
+ * OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT
+ * OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
+ * SUCH DAMAGE.
+ * ====================================================================
+ *
+ * This software consists of voluntary contributions made by many
+ * individuals on behalf of the Apache Software Foundation.  For more
+ * information on the Apache Software Foundation, please see
+ * <http://www.apache.org/>.
+ */
+
+package org.apache.tools.ant.taskdefs;
+
+/**
+ * Interactive Testcase for Processdestroyer.
+ *
+ * @author <a href="mailto:mnewcomb@tacintel.com">Michael Newcomb</a>
+ */
+public class TestProcess
+    implements Runnable
+{
+    private boolean run = true;
+    private boolean done = false;
+
+    public void shutdown()
+    {
+        if (!done)
+        {
+            System.out.println("shutting down TestProcess");
+            run = false;
+            
+            synchronized(this)
+            {
+                while (!done)
+                {
+                    try { wait(); } catch (InterruptedException ie) {}
+                }
+            }
+            
+            System.out.println("TestProcess shut down");
+        }
+    }
+
+    public void run()
+    {
+        for (int i = 0; i < 5 && run; i++)
+        {
+            System.out.println(Thread.currentThread().getName());
+            
+            try { Thread.sleep(2000); } catch (InterruptedException ie) {}
+        }
+
+        synchronized(this)
+        {
+            done = true;
+            notifyAll();
+        }
+    }
+
+    public Thread getShutdownHook()
+    {
+        return new TestProcessShutdownHook();
+    }
+
+    private class TestProcessShutdownHook
+        extends Thread
+    {
+        public void run()
+        {
+            shutdown();
+        }
+    }
+
+    public static void main(String[] args)
+    {
+        TestProcess tp = new TestProcess();
+        new Thread(tp, "TestProcess thread").start();
+        Runtime.getRuntime().addShutdownHook(tp.getShutdownHook());
+    }
+}