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November 11th, 2011
11:08 AM ET
My father was an 'atomic vet'Three weeks ago, my father, Alexander Wadas, died from stage 4 lung cancer. He was 85, just one month short of his 86th birthday. Since his diagnosis in June, the hideous disease, which spread to his bones, skin and brain, took his dignity - robbing him of his ability to eat, walk, speak, think, sit up, even swallow. He died a horrible death that caused him to waste away from 200 pounds to 92 pounds in just four months. Doctors say the cancer was not from smoking, but more likely from environmental factors. You see, my father was what the Department of Veterans Affairs refers to as an "atomic vet" - a veteran exposed to radiation during his or her military service. In World War II, my dad was a Navy corpsman assigned to the 2nd Marine Division. His outfit served in the Pacific campaigns of Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa. After the Japanese surrendered, he was in the first group of Marines to go into Nagasaki, Japan, after the atomic bomb was dropped. There he stayed for four months with occupational troops, treating the Japanese people who survived. Every day, he walked through the city ruins, with no thought that the radiation around him could cause dangerous consequences for him later in life. Back in the 1945, little was known about the effects of radiation. Today, studies done over the past 60 years show there is a definite link between high-dose radiation exposure and certain forms of cancer. The evidence is so strong that the U.S. government established the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act of 1990, which provides U.S. vets who were exposed to radiation from atmospheric nuclear tests between 1945 and 1962 or were part of the occupation forces in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, monetary benefits if they've contracted any of 21 different cancers or other related illnesses. The National Association of Atomic Veterans, or NAAV, an informational organization set up to help these men and women, is searching for about 185,000 "atomic vets" who may have suffered or died from cancer complications. "A lot of these vets never talked about their involvement in these campaigns, because they took an oath of secrecy," notes R. J. Ritter, director and national commander of NAAV. "The oath wasn't lifted till 1996 and by that time a lot of these guys had already suffered complications or died. We need to get the word out that they or their families could be compensated if they match the criteria." If you are one of these veterans, or you have a parent or spouse who might fit into these categories, you can contact the VA or go online to file a claim. There is no amount of money that can bring back my father's hugs or replace his engaging smile, his wicked sense of humor or his words of wisdom. My dad suffered in a way I could never imagine. However, I believe in justice. My father was a true patriot, who joined the Navy at the age of 17. He believed in the military lifestyle. He served for more than 24 years. He was a proud sailor and dedicated to his Marine division. When he went into Nagasaki, he did it for his country, no questions asked. Now the question is, what can his country do for him or, in this case, for my mother, whom he left behind? Perhaps this is the only answer for many vets and their families.
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Sorry for your loss. I do think that 85 (almost 86) is a good long life, well past the life expectancy. Maybe there needs to be a study of how many vets were exposed and how many got cancer, etc. Many civilians were exposed during atomic tests before and after WWII also.
This doesn't lessen grief, but I think more should be done for the vets coming back now from the war. They don't have jobs, good medical care, good psychological care.
Agree. His suffering also adds fuel to the "right to die" fire.
My father, now dead, was also exposed to radiation. The Navy would bomb ships, then send in sailors onto those ships. Then the sailors would swim in the waters, eat the food from the affected ship. Others would come around with gieger counters, while dressed in space suits. My dad had all kids of problems during his life. Skin conditions, horrible problems with his eyes etc. I have a sibling with CP, which is one of the side effects. The doctors would always say they had never seen anything like what my dad had. The government is just waiting for them all to die and they've just about accomplished that.
actually, a LOT was known about the dangers of radiation in the wartime 40s. already scores of early researchers had become ill and died from radiation poisoning and overexposure. there were enough details to know the five levels of exposure and the illnesses they caused. there were enough cases that it was well-known at that time that ingestion of alpha emitters caused cancer.
the difference is similar to the way the Soviets would clear a mine field... by marching a batallion of soldiers through it. "we need this goal, and we can accept X number of deaths to get it." I have an uncle and nephew-in-law who died from Agent orange exposure in vietnam.
pursue your claims, don't give up, never ever give up. the only way we will take care of our veterans is to not let them be pushed aside.
agree 100 percent. I also knew Agent Orange victims and know it took forever for them to be taken seriously. I guess it was the same for Gulf War Syndrome....It's time for our government to be responsible and let the armed forces know what the risks are, not just take those risks for them.
I also had an uncle that walked on ground zero, not sure what island he walked but all his company died before 1961, the family never received any thing from the goverment . before joining the army they live in silver city new mexico not far from the testing of the first atom bomb.
has the goverment paid for any of deads do to the radiation poisoning?
Val: Please note that we will honor your Father's dedicated service and sacrifice for his family & country at our next annual Atomic-Veteran Memorial Service....
My grandfather was an atomic vet also and passed away 2 years ago in very much the same manner. I am sorry for your loss and feel for you and your family. Coincidentally he was also in the 2nd Marine Division (1st Battalion 10th Marines) and fought in Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian, Okinawa and the occupation of Nagasaki. Who knows, maybe they new each other.
Jim My father Nicholas Didomenico was also an atomic vet. He was in the Second Marine Divison. also. Fought on Saipan and Okinawa. He arrived in Nagasaki on Sept 23 '45. He was there for three months. He died on Aug '75 of pancreatic cancer . He was 51 yrs old. I wrote to several people on here. Would love to hear from some of you. I believe it was from radiation exposure.
My father-in-law was at Nagasaki with the 2nd Marine Division. He died at 59 yrs old after suffering horribly from cancer. The 2nd Marine Division lived, ate, and drank the water while living at ground zero for months! The 2ndMarDiv fought at Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian, Okinawa and then landed at night in Nagasaki in order to avoid further civilian casualties. The men and families of those Marines deserve better than they got from the U S Government's stalling when it came to treatment and compensation.
I know a Navy vet who saw the first H-bomb test explode from a Navy ship. He told me that he was about 43 miles from ground zero but that it was too close. The blast shook his ship and it lighted up the sky like few persons have ever seen. I just sent him an article from AARP magazine about the atomic vets. So if you know any vets who were involved in nuclear weapon testing, you need to contact them as soon as possible.
PATRICIA WHAT IS YOUR E-mail would like to ask you a few questions about your father in law,
Sorry for your loss. Rest in peace, Chief. As everyone stated above...don't give up on your claim...your mother deserves it.
Contact the Disabled American Veterans ( DAV ) for assistance. Fair winds and following seas to your Dad.
SCPO, USN Retired
He dies at 85 from cancer. Who'd have thought? The idea of blaming transitory exposure to radiation for a death that happened nearly 60 years later is ridiculous. He died of lung cancer was he a smoker? 50% of them die younger from lung cancer.
If you read the article he was not a smoker. Lung cancer is not an old age disease, Doctor
My dad too! He died at 75 from a very very rare cancer – Gastro-Intestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST). The VA acknowledged that this was a result of being part of Operation Crossroads – The Bikini Atoll testing of the Atomic Bomb. He was a young 17 year old seaman who took depth charges out to the target ships, then went back to his ship for the actual tests, and then had to go back out to the target ships to retrieve the samples and get them back for lab testing. NAAV was a great source of information. As you mentioned in the article, he never would talk about his service, until the last time I visited him, about a month before he died – we sat outside on a beautiful Fall day in New England and he recalled it all. I was spellbound. I am so grateful for that time with him. None of us knew that he would be dead in 6 weeks. His Dr had predicted 4-6 months. Thank goodness I didn't wait. Best of luck to you as you accept your new "normal!"
My dad died two years ago on father's day from the same thing. He was 80 years old and lung cancer absolutely destroyed him. He had served in the Navy in the Bikini Atoll atomic testing program. He said that he and his buddies would watch the atomic bombs go off from the deck. They had no protective clothing, not even sunglasses. He said they had to shield their eyes with their hands from the extreme brightness when the atomic bombs were detonated. Bad deal.
To this day, you have publications floating around, insisting the radiation levels at the devastated cities, dropped to safe levels in weeks. I don't know what would have made their radiation, more special than any other.
This article ends with the question of what can Alexander Wadas' country do for him?
This question was answered within the article: the US gov't recognized this injustice and established the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act in 1990.
Lots of people die of lung cancer who never smoked a day in their life AND never were exposed to "excessive" amounts of radiation. A lot of these same people also never saw the ripe old age of 85.
Val, your dad gave you and your mom a lot of hugs, smiles, and wisdom throughout his long life. There are many who lost parents far earlier than you. You should be thankful for that.
It is very disturbing.
==Now the question is, what can his country do for him or, in this case, for my mother, whom he left behind?==
His country can get his wife a second husband, perhaps a C.O. Then, it can draft a Will for her where she bequeaths her estate to the heirs of her 2nd husband.
A father's death is a painful loss at any age. But, at age 86, you need to ask how many long and high exposure x-rays did he receive in the service and in civilian life? Even dental x-rays were long exposure and high dose in the 40's, 50's, 60's, and 70's. Did he have MRI's, CT scans, lung x-rays? Long exposure, high dose chest x-rays were not uncommon after the war.
I am not a doctor, but I agree with the writer who said that transitory exposure 60 years earlier would have manifested itself sooner. At 86, your Dad had a good run of innings. I'm sorry that his final year was so difficult for him and you and your family.
So he lived a long healthy life up until shortly before the end? Yet the article is saying that his death was due to radiation exposure a very long time ago. Many people that have never been exposed to radiation die long before they reach 85, so I don't see the point of this.
My grandfather, a Navy Cross recipient for actions taken to keep his ship afloat after being torpedoed just prior to WW2, witnessed numerous atomic bomb explosions in which he was so close that he absorbed enough radiation to become sick. His wedding ring was temporarily removed due to radiation coming off of it. He retired as a Captain well after the war.
The Service knew darned well that radiation killed people and that what they were doing would harm the personnel witnessing the explosions as close as my grandfather was.
My grandfather lived a long life, into his early 90s, but there's no telling what long term effect the radiation had on him. No one gets that many rads and it has no effect on them.
My condolences to the author and their loved ones.
My dad passed away in 1969, from a Lukemia that he got because of Atomic testing ... I was 9 years old. I have often wondered if I could get compensation but never really tried. He had remarried and had 2 other daughters that apparently got compensated way back when. He was just 36 and had served for a long time. I also wondered what damage that it did to us kids and our kids.
The government knew, did not care. If you are a vet do not count on them helping you. Myhusband served in Viet Nam, suffers side effects from Agent Orange. They will tell you your symtoms are caused by other things,never Agent Orange. They tell you they are here to help, yea right.
I AGREE WITH YOU OUR MEN ARE SENT TO VIETNAM TO SERVE THEIR COUNTRY AND THEY GET DISEASES FROM THOSE CHEMICALS OVER THERE. WHEN THEY COME HOME AND NEED COMPENSATION FOR THEIR SERVICE THE GOVERNMENT DON'T GIVE A DAM. MY HUSBAND DIED FROM THOSE CHEMICALS I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET FINANCIAL HELP SINCE FEB OF 2003 THEY CONTINUE TO SAY HIS DEADTH WAS NOT SERVIVE RELATED
Given that the U.S. detonated 1,154 nuclear & thermo-nuclear bomb devices ( from July, 1945 to Nov, 1992 ), and given that more than 550,000 military personnel were exposed to "ionizing" radiation particles ( both externally, and inhaled or injested ), the majority of the World's population have no idea of the long-term effects of radio-isotopes within the human mechanism..... By the time their "oath-of-secrecy" was recinded ( in 1996 ) more than 330,000 A-Vet's were in their graves, buried with their secrecy oath, and smitten by an "invisible" enemy, during "atomic-warfare" exercises with real "live" nukes....... They died without any thanks or proper recognition from their Government ...... Does that make you proud ??? As Nat. Cdr. of the National Association of Atomic Veterans, and a member of the Veterans Advisory Board on Radiogenic Health Issues, I can say that all Atomic-Veterans are America's "forgotten" Patriots, and deserve the utmost respect for their duties and sacrifices during the Cold-War years.....
My father Nicholas Didomenico was an Atomic Soldier in World War II. He was in the second Marine Division and fought on Saipan, Okinawa/ He arrived in Nagasaki for the occupation on Sep 23, '45 and died on Aug 28, ;75 of pancreatic cancer. He was 51 years old. He said when he arrived in Nagasaki it was still smoldering . I don't believe the radiation dissipated that quickly. I always said he died from radiation explosure in the war. My older brother who is a physician had bladder cancer in his late 40's and breast cancer. He was born in '48 and I have had two breast cancers and mastectomies and also was born with a bicuspid valve and have aortic stenosis (valve disease) I was born in '51. I do
not this this is a coincidence.
What a good thing to do, even in this case of the loss of a father, which can be a hard blow for any good child.
Helping others is what more of us should always think of doing, not just feeling the grief, and suffering in lonliness.
Yes it is very sad to see our dads loose weight and become nothing like the men we looked up to, in our days of youth.
My dad does not have cancer, but his hyperthyroidism got to him causing him enormous weight loss, even though he takes meds, and had thyroid I 131 therapy now some almost 20 years ago.
Any "Atomic vet" should seek help, because life is precious, and the country you serve, can help, so why not accept the offer? There are other veterans, whose governments cannot help. Not so with the US army.
I was in the U.S.Army and they have NOT HELPED ONE BIT. It is our Government. It is not up to individual military branches. It is Strictly a dollars and cents thing set by our politicians.
I too am the daughter of an "atomic vet." My father passed away from bladder and bone cancer in Jan. of 2010. He is greatly missed. He loved the Air Force and made it his career from 1941-1967. He spoke occasionally about going out to test sites in the Nevada desert; never in great detail, because they were sworn to secrecy, and my father was an honorable soldier. He did talk about going out to the desert in a jeep and just having his hands to "protect' him from the blasts. He remembered seeing his bones through his hands. My father's name was Harry A. Hill. He started his career at the bottom rank and worked his way up to Lt. Col. His military service took him through, W.W. II, Korea, and Vietnam wars. He received numerous military decorations and awards, including the Bronze Star Medal. I have currently started the process of filing a claim, and am interested in knowing how others have benefitted, and am looking at ways to streamline the process. Also if anyone remembers Harry A. Hill of the U.S. Air Force, I would love to hear from you. My father was instrumental in helping soldiers achieve their goals in the Air Force; one of them being General Nate Lindsay.
Your Father is a Hero. I almost wrote was instead of is. Once you become a Hero you remain a Hero for eternity. Thank you for sharing.
While this is a touching story about respectful, patriotic man, it is unfortunately acting to further misconceptions about the biological effects of radiation. The article is suggesting that radiation exposure is the direct cause of the lung cancer that killed him. For a dose of radiation to substantial enough to be deadly, it would have to have been much, much more significant than what he was exposed to, and the effects would have been much more immediate. His death is not the direct result of radiation exposure. It is impossible for the radioactive elements to be suddenly harmful, and cause a cancerous growth after 60 years.
Considering the conditions, I would surmise that his death and others are the result of secondary consequences following the aftermath of the explosion. Breathing the dust and particulate matter (vaporized from all types of materials during the explosion) possess a much greater risk to his health.
My father died December 1, 1983 at the age of 63. The doctors at the VA hospital in Ann Arbor, MI diagnosed the unknown lung disease that had rendered him oxygen dependent since July of 1980, as radiation poisoning. He too was one of the Marines sent into Nagasaki after the dropping of the bomb. At the time of the VA diagnoses he applied for compensation from the U.S. Government and was turned down. He was told that he did not have one of officially recognized diseases caused by radiation exposure.
My father was in Nagasaki with 39 other Marines when the bomb was dropped on a recon mission. He then spent 10 months there after the troops landed. Of the original 40, They all died from cancer except for 3 of them. The first one died within a year and a half. All of my brothers and sisters were born with birth defects.
My father Nicholas Didomenico was an atomic soldier. He was in the Second Marine Division and fought on Saipan and Okinawa. He arrived in Nagasaki on Sept 23 '45. He was there for three months / He said it was still smoldering when they arrived. He died in Aug, 75. of pancreatic cancer. He was only 51 years old. My older brother has had two cancers bladder and breast. And I have lost both of my breasts to cancer. Also suffer from aortic stenosis of my heart valve and will eventually have to have it replaced. Was born with a bicuspid valve. I do not think this is a coincidence.
Would like to thank the AARP folks for assisting us with our "outreach" efforts. The response to their ( Nov., 2011 ) article was overwhelming, and we hope the Atomic-Vets and their surviving widows will be successful in filing claims for "radiiogenic" helath issues, currently recognized as being "presumptive," resulting from exposed to radiation while actively, and poudly serving their country's needs........
Great article but it didn't have eevryhitng-I didn't find the kitchen sink!
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Trying to locate any paper work om my dad birth marrige and get anY THING TO show up without being blurred on purpose. At wits end
We have been looking into the difference between benefits available under the Radiation Exposed Veterans Compensation Act (REVCA) (administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs), the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) (administered by the Department of Justice) (On-site Participants ($75,000), Millers, Minors and Transporters ($100,000) as well as Downwinders ($50,000)) and the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Act (EEOICPA) (Energy Employees with cancer or other illnesses likely caused by radiation or other hazardous substances ($150,000 for Cancer or Beryllium Disease and certain other lung illnesses under Part B and up to $250,000 for illnesses caused by exposure to hazardous substances including radiation at a Department of Energy (DOE) facility under Part E). We have made a number of posts to our blog on these subjects that your readers might find interesting. Attached is a link to our recent blog post on procedures for filing REVCA claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs and an article about these issues in the November AARP Bulletin.
http://wp.me/pPeHi-3v
Please let us know if you have comments or questions about any of these programs.
Did you say there was compensation from the VA for those that were exposed to these horrible chemicals? If so could you please email me and let me know who I should contact. Thank you Patti
Thank you about REVCA would like more inforation father was Atomic Vet . my father was in the army and was at Hiroshima in 1945 I remember stories that he could hear crackling sounds coming from the bombed buildings he passed away at the age of 75 in 1990 massive internal bleeding this is the first I have rented on Atomic Vets. LOOKING for information or studies of offsprings medical conditions. he was discharged from the Army at hiroshema and enlisted in the Air Force served 32 years retired in 1964. he was the father of five children.Thank you again , EJIDONNELLAN
Our blog can also be found by visiting our website at http://www.stephensstephens.com.
My father died of cancer at the age of 58. His stomach was full of tumors. He served with the navy during WWII and was in Okanawa. My mother is a healthy 97 years young and I am trying to find out if there is any compensation she could get from the VA. He was taken at a young age and two of his five children were still in high school when he died. How should I go about getting information for her?
To those of you posting that radiation cannot hurt someone 30-60 years later, you are dead wrong! Most scientific studies, done outside of the nuclear industry, have proven that a single "hot particle", taken internally, can and most likey will cause cancer decades down the road! FYI, before we started all this nuclear, gmo, and pesticide stuff, there was no such thing as cancer...the studies done on Egytian mummies and older bones show NO signs of cancer...this is a man made disease!
My Dad passed away a little over 3 years ago from pancreatic cancer. Keith C Bowen, he served in the Navy, stationed in the pacific, during the 1957, and 1958 nuclear testing. He was 72 years old. I watched my Daddy go from a healthy, strong man, to a decimated man in just eight months from this very rare cancer. I know my Daddy is in Heaven and that someday I will see him again and what a great comfort that is...but the way he had to die? was horrible...I have to wonder if my Dad was part of the Atomic Vets also? My Dad was a great man and his memory will live on in the memories of our family and the many lives he touched throughout his life, yet I wonder if he really needed to die in that manner...God bless you dear...I hope and pray you can find peace through this new "normal" we have entered !!!
Laurie, My father Nicholas DiDomenico was an atomic soldier, 2nd Marine Division . He fought on Saipan and Okinawa. He arrived in Nagasaki on Sept. 23 '45, was there for 3 months. He died on Aug 28, 75 of pancreatic cancer. he was 51 years old. I always said it was from radiation exposure. After all they were eating, drinking and breathing this toxic air. He said it was still smoldering when they arrived. I have had mastectomies and lost both of my breasts. My older brother had bladder cancer and breast cancer. I do not think this is a coincidence.
It is heartbreaking to hear these accounts. My father was a colonel. He was in ww2, korea and south africa. He died 10 years ago. I've spent about 10 years trying to get his military records and learn who he really was. As an army brat, us survivors should be recognized by what family members went through. To now see that the secrecy and oath he took as he watched smokey 4 miles away makes me ill.
I now understand that he too must have risen his hands to cover his eyes as your father did janet. I remember every few months his hands would lose all the skin and be almost to the bone. We would ask what the doctor said? He just wore this cream with cloth gloves over his hands.
We are talking about cancer here. I find the emotional effects on these great men and women far more reaching. As an adult I am so sad and try not to be bitter of the father we gave to this country and the man I didn't have a chance to appreciate for the government secrets.
It's a disgrace.
Some of the content I included in my post was deleted edited and not shown in the previous post.. I noted specific battles, service and he was one of the volunteer officers at Smokey in Nevada.
My father was in the 2nd Marine Division and one of the first into Nagasaki after the bomb, stayed for several months. He died exactly the same way you describe when he was 52. in 1976. He left a wife and 5 children. I was the oldest at 18, the youngest was 11. They eventually snipped his spinal cord so he couldn't feel the pain as his bones dissolved. He died in our living room where my mother had cared for him for months. The whole family had/has PTSD. I have always said my dad died in the war, but I was born in 1957. I was wondering if a study had been done and how many veterans, and families, suffered this same fate.
Martin My father Nicholas DiDomenico was also a Marine (Second Division) . He fought battles on Saipan and Okinawa. Arrived in Nagasaki Sept 23 '45. Was there for 3 months. He died Aug '75, 51 yrs old. of pancreatic cancer. One of the cancers identified. I always thought it was from radiation exposure. After all they were eating, drinking and breathing the air for months. He said when he arrived it was still smoldering. I was 23 when he died my youngest brother was 16. I have had breast cancer in both breasts and my older brother had bladder and breast cancer. I do not think this is a coincidence.
I think this has been tracked and it tells a sad tale. A large portion of 2nd Division Marines that served at Nagasaki died in their 50's from cancer. The government stalled regarding recognition of this and had an easy time of it. The 2nd Division fought from Guadalcanal (the beginning) to Okinawa (the end) and thus had many "high pointers" with them in Nagasaki. There was a real push to get these men home. Due to administrative issues many (most) of the Marines were sent home (after living in Nagasaki for months) as members of the 5th Marine division. This has made it harder for families to track
My father was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 50. For two excruciating years we watched him suffer until he passed away in March of 1983 at age 52. Dad had health problems most of his adult life. The gorvernment's quest for superiority robbed us (wife and 6 children) of our dad.
I was a young petty officer (19) aboard the USS Ponchatoula in 1962 Operation Dominic1 stationed at Christmas Island. Our ship was less than 23 n/miles for 5 of the 30+ atmospheric blasts. I have been battling a recurrent brain tumor for 24 years....skin growing in the brain. I learned about "Atomic Vets" through the AARP article. I filed a claim Aug. 8th of 2012 for the BT and was then discovered to have stage 3 lung cancer Jan 2013. My claim has been ongoing for 18 months now....I was given 1 to 3 years to live....have had radiation treatment and chemo. We will know in June (PET Scan) if we got it all.
Yesterday I received a notice from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency regarding my estimated dose of radiation at Christmas Island....External gamma dose: 18 rem with internal dose to the brain at 0.1 rem. I do not know what this means except to know I have been very ill for a long time and on Social Security since 1991. I just turned 71.
My father in law Richard Cochran also in Heroshima he also died of lung cancer not a smoker
Ricky, my father Nicholas Didomenico was a Marine Second Division. Fought battles on Saipan and Okinawa. Landed in Nagasaki on Sept 23 '45. Was there for 3 months, died 30 years later of pancreatic cancer, one of the cancers identified . I also believe it was from radiation exposure. He was only 51 yrs old.
My father was in the navy in world war 2 and the day after the bomb went off in heroshima he was sent to help clean up bodies. He was on charged a group of sailors that did body count and collected up dead bodies. He died at the young age of 62 of bone cancer! I always felt that this was due to heroshima! I'm glad somebody's doing something about this.
Sherry, my father Nicholas Didomenico was a Marine (Second Division) in World War II. He fought battles on Saipan and Okinawa. He arrived in Nagasaki in Sept 23, '45. He died thirty years later in Aug '75 of pancreatic cancer, He was only 51. I also believe it was from exposure to radiation.
My husband was in the air force during the Korean War. He was in Okinawa loading bombs on the flight line. I found out they used a substance called agent purple that was as potent as agent orange to kill the weeds. My dear husband was diagnosed in June of this year 2014 with bladder cancer (very rare plasmacytoid) the doctor said it was from chemicals. He passed away less than 12 weeks later. He was very active eventhough he was 80 years young. He walked 2 miles a day and lifted weights. I feel the government should compensate all families for this terrible pain our families and service men went through.
My father was another Atomic Vet, also in Nagasaki for several months, first American ship ino port after the detonation (USS Barr). Thank you for this article, I will follow up and would like to communicate with you.
Jennifer, my father Nicholas DiDomenico was an Atomic Soldier. He was a marine in World War II saw battles on Saipan, Okinawa. Arrived in Nagasaki on Sept 23, '45. was there for 3 months. Died from pancreatic cancer 30 years later Aug '75. I believe it was from exposure to radiation. This was one of the cancers identified, he was only 51 yrs old.
My dad Walter Piper enlisted in the Navy to get the branch of service he wanted in WWII, as his father was a Navy Man in WWI. He was a plank owner on the USS Wilkes Barre, he served his time in the Pacific.... Dad passed in 1987 at 62 due to CML Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia. I have always felt his disease was caused by his service to our country and his exposure to radiation. He serve at Iwo Jima, Okinawa and helped rescue Sailors from the USS Bunker Hill after it was hit by kamikazes. He also told of going on land after the nuclear bomb and securing weapons etc. he was at Tokyo Bay when the Peace Treaty was signed by President Harry Truman. I tried once with the VA to get some help for my mother, but was told his ship was not in the ten mile radius of the bomb. Yes that was their answer to me. If anyone else would like to correspond about this.. My email is mygrlbabs@aol.com. Im so sorry for everyone's loss, losing alive done is never easy. God Bless.
My dad just passed away in February. He was on the USS Bairoko close to the island. He fought several kinds of cancer.
He didn't leave mom with much except bills. But she would do it all over again just to be with him.
Landed in nagasaki Sept 1945 and remained there till April 1946..was with the 2nd Marine Division on Saipan , Tinian, Okinawa, and Guam. .health problems began in my late 50s, Inc stroke, prostate cancer, gall bladder removal, temporal lobe epilepsy, loss of teeth, osteoarthritis in every joint of my body,etc., etc...none recognized by VA..and DAV did not help in pursuing my claim..not complaining..been married 58 years 8 children, 23 grandchildren..my body is in constant pain and has been for years.. was proud to serve my country as a 17 year old
Sir-I don't understand what your issue is-. Your father seemed to live a very good life till 4 months before cancer-till age 85.
Sir-many a people die a lot sooner than that-my father passed away at 52 from a heart attack.
Please don't bit-ch and moan about your dad's death--he lived a great life-. Military must owe you nothing.
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My father was on a ship in the South Pacific when the atomic bomb was dropped. In 1950 he went into the hospital and as diagnosed with leukemia. He never left the hopital died in just a month after being diagnosed. I know it had to be from the exposure to the bomb, even the dr. sugest so. I was only four yrs old at the time. I dont even remember my father. It was a grat loss for my mom left with a 4 yr old and a 5 yr old.
I will be contacting the link you provided.
As a radio operator in the US Army, my father was one of the first soldiers to be sent into Hiroshima following its bombing. He died from complications of cancer treatments (lymphoma) at the age of 75. I was born in 1955 and suffer from autoimmune issues while my only child has genetic anomalies.
I have two friends whose fathers also served in the Pacific Theater who have suffered from odd autoimmune illnesses. I would love to correspond with others whose fathers were in the area during the bombings. One may reach me by email at Bombsurvivor55@gmail.com
My father was in the Air Force, and was in Hiroshima from 1947-1949 helping the rebuilding effort. He never spoke much about the experience there, except once recalling how many poor survivors were still without homes "going to the bathroom in the streets". By age 35, my dad was stricken with debilitating arthritis. All of his joints swelled up and fused together. His body became covered at about 20% with psoriasis. He lived as healthily as he could, non smoker and vegetarian to keep the weight off of his painful joints. He retired from teaching early at 59. By 61 he had prostrate issues and surgery, double bypass at 64, esophageal cancer at 67 and passed away at 69. I have no doubts that his 2 years spent in Hiroshima exposed him to remnants of radiation, which eventually took his life at a relatively early age.
My father was one of the first groups of marines to land on Nagasaki he passed away at 49 years of age of multiple myeloma. I obtained his records he became ill at Nagasaki and was put on a ship and sent to the states. Twenty years later he passed away. I believe it was the exposure to radiation that contributed to his illness and death.