Should the United States acknowledge its Atomic Veterans before it's too late? Most are already dead and gone

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 12:24:39 -0400

Almost 300,000 veterans witnessed atmospheric tests of nuclear devices: Atomic Bombs and Hydrogen Bombs. They are known as Atomic Veterans. Most, if not a majority, are dead as you read this. Many died young of cancers and tuberculosis induced by their exposure to the deadly radiation emitted by these detonations. Those fortunate enough to survive such early onsets of fatal diseases are now dying of old age. Sadly, the United States has never officially acknowledged their participation as what many would characterize as guinea pigs. There is not even a ribbon to wear on their chests among the other campaign medals they may have earned.
Dick Latham is an Atomic Veteran. I am honored to call him comrade. We serve together as members of VFW Post 6024 in Mission Viejo, California. Dick shared his story with me and granted me permission to share it with you. Hopefully, it will spread until the United States Congress is inspired to complete the task of honoring these men and women.
Inasmuch as it is difficult to retain the attention of Internet readers much beyond 800 words, I had to keep Dick's story short. I couldn't include his duty as a Marine Security Guard at the American Embassy in Rio de Janeiro where he met his wife, or his service during World War II or Korea. Even so, when I stopped paring away words to reveal the final product, Dick's story included more than 1,200 words. I decided to take my chances and test my readers' patience for a good story.
Now, I've already spent almost 300 words in this preamble to warm you to the task. Sit back. Take a breath. Get something to drink. Go the the bathroom. Then dive in and learn about these Atomic Veterans. Hopefully you'll agree that they deserve recognition.
http://www.jackdurish.com/7/post/2015/10/the-atomic-veteran.html

The Atomic Veteran

Dick Latham is a United States Marine whose story is missing a chapter. Members of every branch of the United States military wear their story upon their chest. Each chapter is written in a language...

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Oct 4 at 2015 12:27 PM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 12:27:47 -0400

Yes they should! Those test happened and all of those Veterans suffered from it!

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Oct 4 at 2015 12:29 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 12:29:44 -0400

Yeesh. Another chapter of our history to be ashamed of.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Oct 4 at 2015 12:42 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 12:42:49 -0400

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is responsible for estimating dosages received by atomic veterans. I've worked with a few as a DAV service officer. It always seemed to me that the DTRA assessments were way low on their calculations. Making it more difficult, it's impossible to contact DTRA to challenge them.

It's clear that legislation is needed...

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Oct 4 at 2015 12:53 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 12:53:32 -0400

CPT Jack Durish Like all other Veterans if they(legislation,politicians,etc.) can put them off long enough,the problem will go away

Response by MSgt George Maynard made Nov 1 at 2019 2:00 PM

MSgt George Maynard — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 14:00:27 -0400

We Wait!
Maynard, George Robert, Sr.
http://d.library.unlv.edu/digital/collection/nts/id/1117/rec/8
==================================================================================
DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY MAR 0 9 2017
8725 JOHN J. KINGMAN ROAD, STOP 6201
FORT BELVOIR, VA 22060-6201
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office
ATTN: Director (21 - Radiation)
1600 East Woodrow Wilson Avenue
Jackson. Mississippi 39216-5102
Dear Sir / Madam:
MAR 0 9 2017
This is a follow'-up to our letter of January 26, 2017. Concerning Mr. George R.
Maynard. File Number: xxx xx xxx, a confirmed participant of Operation PLUMBBOB,
a U.S. atmospheric nuclear test series conducted at the Nevada Test Site in 1957. This
verification satisfies the requirements of 38 CFR 3.309 for his small B-cell lymphoma.
Revision 3.1 of the Nuclear Test Personnel Review Program’s RA02 - Expedited
Processing of Radiation Dose Assignment describes the methodology for expedited
processing of radiation dose assessments to tissues or organs in response to requests from
the Department of Veterans Affairs. The expedited process established conservative
maximum doses utilizing actual radiation level measurements and technical calculations,
previous!) Established doses, bounding assumptions about exposure scenarios, and
radiation science fundamentals. These maximum doses are much higher than doses that
were estimated in previous radiation dose assessments, thus providing maximum benefit
of the doubt to the veteran and ensuring that the reported doses are not less than actual
doses. The reported doses are based on worst-case parameters and assumptions, not all of which the veteran may have encountered. These parameters and assumptions are
intended to adequately encompass an)' activities performed by the veteran. Input from the
veteran or his surrogate has been carefully reviewed to ensure that no activities in his
actual exposure scenario would result in a higher dose than that generated via the
expedited process.
Doses which Mr. Maynard could have received during his participation in
Operation PLUMBBOB are not more than:
- External gamma dose: 16 rem
- External neutron dose: 0.5 rein
- Internal committed dose to the blood and blood forming organs (alpha):
1.5 rem
- Internal committed dose to the blood and blood forming organs
( beta + gamma ): 8 rem
- Internal committed dose to the thyroid (alpha): 0.1 rem
- Internal committed dose to the thyroid (beta + gamma): 7 rem
If we can be of any further assistance in this matter, please do not hesitate to
contact us. Sincerely.
L. A. Alleman
Lieutenant. U.S. Navy
Nuclear Test Personnel Review
Nuclear Technologies Department
cc:
Mr. Maynard

Interview with George Robert Maynard, Sr., January 26, 2004

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 1 at 2020 7:42 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 19:42:44 -0400

What an archaic question.

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Apr 2 at 2020 9:51 AM

SMSgt Bob Wilson — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 09:51:17 -0400

Ignorance at the time of nuclear radiation, not knowing the results of the fallout, and showing the world what we can do if attacked was paramount during the “Cold War”. Agent Orange is another example. Now, do we, the present generation, “feel guilty” and want to give them a medal or lobby Congress and the VA for a “one time offer of $5000” to “settle our guilt”? The test and the results are a footnote in history. Due to incompetence, they people were “allegedly” exposed to cancer causing agents during their military duty. For me, I have mixed emotions on this subject and leaning more negative than positive.

Response by LTC Lee Bouchard made Apr 2 at 2020 11:47 AM

LTC Lee Bouchard — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 11:47:55 -0400

YES! They deserve to be honored and all their medical issues covered by the V.A. Abnormal child births, diabetes and cancer are just the short list of the health problems most suffer from.

Response by SPC Charles Sewell made May 6 at 2020 9:49 AM

SPC Charles Sewell — Wed, 06 May 2020 09:49:41 -0400

Of course these troops should be acknowledge and made whole if necessary.