Overview

Orville Kelly was a U.S. Army soldier who witnessed 22 nuclear weapons tests at Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands during Operation Hardtack I in 1958. He was stationed just 20 miles from ground zero with no protective equipment beyond sunglasses. Kelly developed lymphocytic lymphoma and was told by the Veterans Administration that his cancer was not service-connected; despite the obvious link to massive radiation exposure. In 1979; he founded the National Association of Atomic Veterans (NAAV); the first organization to advocate for the approximately 400;000 U.S. military personnel exposed to radiation during nuclear weapons testing between 1945 and 1962. The government had classified the health records of atomic veterans and prohibited them from discussing their exposure under penalty of imprisonment. Kelly fought to declassify these records and secure compensation and healthcare for veterans dying of radiation-induced cancers. He testified before Congress and brought national attention to the plight of atomic veterans before dying of his radiation-induced cancer in 1980. His advocacy eventually led to the Radiation-Exposed Veterans Compensation Act of 1988; which provided benefits to veterans who participated in nuclear tests. The U.S. conducted over 1;000 nuclear tests; and studies show atomic veterans had significantly elevated rates of leukemia; lymphoma; and solid cancers.

Key Affiliations

Controversies & Concerns

Related Investigations (1)

Known Associates & Connections

Sources & Documentation

1 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports