Atomic veteran
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."
Atomic veterans also include service personnel from other nations, including the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, France, China, and Russia, who were similarly exposed during their active service.
United States
Recognition
On July 15, 2021, President Joe Biden issued a presidential proclamation declaring July 16, 2021, the 76th anniversary of the Trinity test, as "National Atomic Veterans Day".Affected veterans
The Defense Threat Reduction Agency's Nuclear Test Personnel Review has maintained a database of participants and radiation dose reconstructions since 1978. Dose reconstructions are used by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to evaluate and decide veterans' claims filed under the provisions of Public Law 98-542 and implementing regulations in Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 3.311.John Smitherman was a Navy sailor involved in the 1946 Bikini Atoll nuclear explosions, which resulted in extensive radioactive contamination of the area. Smitherman was diagnosed with lymphatic system cancer, underwent two leg amputations, and later became president of the National Association of Atomic Veterans. Smitherman was featured in Robert Stone's documentary film Radio Bikini, which was nominated for an Academy Award in 1988.
Multiple veterans unveiled first-hand accounts of above-ground nuclear tests in the short film directed by Morgan Knibbe. The veterans recall the traumatic experience of watching an atomic explosion occur only a few miles from their position. From their recounting of the story, the soldiers had no idea what they were being tested for until the bomb exploded. The group interviewed in the video was sent out in standard military gear, consisting of a utility jacket, helmet, and gas mask. These men were sworn to secrecy or suffer a $10,000 fine or 10 years in prison and suffer from a multitude of health problems that stem from ionizing radiation.
Investigation
A formal investigation of the radiation exposure these veterans received, as well as radiation experiments conducted on humans, was initiated in 1994 by former President Bill Clinton, who apologized for their treatment in 1995. "In 1996, the U.S. Congress repealed the Nuclear Radiation Secrecy Agreement Act, which rescinded the Atomic Veteran "oath-of-secrecy", thus allowing Atomic-Veterans the opportunity to recount stories of their participation in nuclear weapon testing and post-test event activities, without legal penalty. By this time, however, many thousands of Atomic Veterans, the majority of whom were afflicted with a host of radiation-induced health issues, such as cancer, had taken that "secret" with them to their graves.The remaining atomic veterans may receive special priority enrollment for health care services from the VA for radiation-related conditions. In addition, atomic veterans are eligible to participate in an ionizing radiation registry examination program operated by the VA.
The only copies of service and medical records for many of these veterans were lost in a fire at the National Archives in 1973. Veterans, or families of deceased veterans, whose records were lost in the fire, were denied these services and must go through an extensive reconstruction process to establish their presence during the time of atmospheric tests.
Compensation
The United States Department of Justice has a different compensation program established by the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, which the United States Congress passed on October 5, 1990, and signed into law by President George H. W. Bush on October 15. Atomic veterans who participated in atmospheric nuclear tests may be eligible. Through RECA, atomic veterans are labelled "Onsite Participants" and can qualify for up to $75,000 in compensation.The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act was amended in 2013 and enlarged the geographic exposure area and the amount of compensation payable to Atomic Veterans and people living downwind of the tests. Other compensation may also be available from the United States Department of Labor under section SEC of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program.
Epidemiological studies of atomic veterans have shown exposure to radiation to be associated with several disorders including leukemia, various cancers and cataracts. It has been determined that studies on the children of atomic veterans, however, face "insurmountable" difficulties.