ATOMIC VETERANS

An atomic veteran is a veteran who was exposed to ionizing radiation while present in the site of a nuclear explosion during active duty. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs defines an atomic veteran "who, as part of his or her military service: Participated in an above-ground nuclear test, 1945–1962; or was part of the U.S. military occupation forces in/around Hiroshima/Nagasaki before 1946; or was held as a POW in or near Hiroshima or Nagasaki (certain cases
Rep. Spanberger looks to raise awareness for ‘atomic veterans’
Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger is looking to call attention to Atomic Veterans Day today, July 16, marking the 78th anniversary of the world’s first nuclear device detonation.

“In the wake of that first flash, thousands of servicemembers and personnel participated in nuclear tests,” Spanberger, of Virginia’s 7th District, said in a news release Friday. “During their service, many of these Americans were exposed to toxic radiation. And for decades, they were required to keep their service a secret — meaning they were often prevented from sharing their stories, explaining their exposures to their doctor, or receiving the benefits their country owed them.”

Spanberger added, “By the time Congress finally repealed their secrecy requirement in 1996, thousands of these Americans had already passed away — the true nature of their service unknown to their loved ones.”

Trinity was the code name of the nuclear weapon and the experiment took place in the New Mexico desert with a team of engineers led by J. Robert Oppenheimer, director of the Los Alamos Laboratory, as part of the Manhattan Project. Following that first detonation, thousands of servicemembers participated in nuclear tests.

Atomic veterans are recognized as those who participated in nuclear tests between 1945 and 1962, served with U.S. military forces in or around the nuclear bombs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan before 1946 or were held prisoners of war in or near Hiroshima or Nagasaki.

Due to their exposure to unsafe levels of radiation during their service, many of the veterans developed serious health complications, such as cancer.

Additional key moments related to atomic veterans include:

In 1979, Orville E. Kelly founded the National Association of Atomic Veterans to allow the U.S. Atomic Veteran Community to get a fair hearing related to their developing health issues that may have been precipitated by their exposure to “ionizing” radiation while participating in a nuclear weapon test detonation or a “post-test” event.

On July 5, 2022, the secretary of defense established the Atomic Veterans Commemorative Service Medal to recognize and honor the service of veterans who were instrumental in the development of the country’s atomic and nuclear weapons programs.

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan first designated July 16 as National Atomic Veterans’ Day. Since then, atomic veterans have received thousands in compensation for health costs caused by radiation exposure.

In 2021, Spanberger led the introduction of a bipartisan resolution that requires the president to issue a proclamation every year to observe National Atomic Veterans Day.

“Still today, many Atomic Veterans struggle to receive the compensation and disability benefits they earned,” Spanberger said in the release. “On behalf of our Commonwealth’s Atomic Veterans, I was honored to lead the charge to make sure these patriots receive the recognition they deserve. National Atomic Veterans Day allows us to reflect on their contributions, express gratitude to their families, and educate the next generation about the critical role they played in keeping our nation safe.”

[kennaortega]

I am a Child of an Atomic Veteran volunteer test subject. I have Mastocytosis which is a very rare immune system disorder with a c-kit mutation. My A.V. father had Iritis which I guess is a form of Mastocytosis offshoot. He reported it to the VA 3 years after the exposure and received a letter back from them which said that they were certain that since it had been 3 years since he was exposed to the bomb that it couldn't possibly be related to it.

[DWNicolo]

My dad was an atomic veteran. During the Korean War my dad’s troop train passed through Las Vegas and the train was stopped. Every soldier was told to get off the train and get into army trucks and were taken outside Las Vegas where an H Bomb was detonated. Every soldier was given a dosimeter and were organized into platoons and were told to get back into the trucks where they were going to be driven to ground zero to be exposed to the radiation. My dad had been drafted after flunking out of college by one credit so he had no love for the army. As the highest ranking man in the platoon he refused to take his men to ground zero. After an array of higher ranking officers harangued him, he still refused to go or allow his platoon to go. After a bit of a standoff they told him he and his platoon were told to standby and not go. For the next forty five years the Department Of Defense called him until he was sixty five they and asked him if had any kind of cancer. The last time they called him they told him this was the last time they were calling him because they felt he was not going to die of cancer as far as they were concerned.

[Greengoat]

Sadly, another group of veterans that have been forgotten by our government. For many, a little too late for benefits.

[billybunn]

They should be giving this medal to all the veterans in the nuclear program... the dates are from 1945 to 1992 I was a instructor for that program for the Army... I know I was exposed to radiation from working on active material... they won't recognize it... only the dates 1945 to 1962 there were many of us worked and exposed... we qualify...

[drunkenbeesthomasdjohnson]

I was at the 23rd USAFAD from 2988 until 1991 it was a nuclear weapons site in Holland. I had high blood cell counts back in early 2000s but was recently diagnosed with JAK2 and polycythemia vera. The VA services fellow and my VA Dr are doubtful I'll get service related disability and not 100 0/0

[workbreaklounge]

Fukashima? Should be on the list too.

[charlesmayberry]

If your filling fall out you been had if your white count drop and red cell count mine are 2 on red cell and 2.7 on white thin give a radiation Iv test to see we’re it at Iv got one good lung 9 blood clots have go back to dentist to help keep infection from going pass my nose Iv got 4 screw but teeth are falling apart

[dikyviking]

now do downwinders. wife has cancer, her sister just died from it