From the 1940s to the 1990s, an estimated 400k - 550k military servicemembers were subjected to nuclear testing to act as "guinea pigs" for the government. Not only were these veterans exposed to nuclear testing without consent, they were held to an oath of secrecy until the mid-90s. This week, Matt and Carolanne talk about the history of atomic veterans and some of their stories.
Our linktree: linktr.ee/boozedandconfused
This week's booze of choice: Lagunitas Hazy Wonder and Lil Sumpin
Sources:
- https://spanberger.house.gov/posts/president-biden-signs-defense-authorization-bill-into-law-includes-spanbergers-provision-to-mark-national-atomic-veterans-day-every-year-pay-raise-for-servicemembers
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_veteran
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moruroa#French_nuclear_weapons_testing
- https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/hidden-history-americas-atomic-veterans/2230879/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maralinga
- https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/michigan-life/atomic-veterans/69-8513c88e-6b60-48e3-a9be-c569b4b1efb1
- https://www.dtra.mil/Mission/Nuclear-Test-Personnel-Review/US-Atmoshperic-Nuclear-Test-History-Documents/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Grapple
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y__dxTaGEp0
- https://old.reddit.com/r/interestingasfuck/comments/tumhgv/what_its_like_to_experience_a_nuke_in_virtual/?ref=share&ref_source=link
- https://www.atomicheritage.org/history/atomic-veterans-1946-1962