Robert 'Strongbear' Bates, Enewetak Atoll (1978) Glimmer of Lights

Introducing a series of narrative articles about the Atomic Cleanup Veterans of Enewetak Atoll.

The following are first-hand accounts told by comparatively few survivors of the Enewetak Atoll Atomic Debris Cleanup Mission, Marshall Islands; a mission that took place from 1977-1980. Their stories appear as told to T-M Fitzgerald(published author, veteran, veteran advocate) because theirs are tales needing to be known.

Read - H.R. 5980: Mark Takai Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act.

Introduction: “Where in the World is Enewetak?”

Enewetak is just one of many atolls and islands in the Pacific Ocean’s Marshall Island chain. Located about 2,365 nautical miles SW of Hawaii (just north of the equator), the Marshall Islands were once a major testing ground for nuclear weapons post WWII. This island chain is also home to the project called Cactus Dome, a 350’- wide blast crater located at the northern end of Runit Island that has become known as the ‘Nuclear Trashcan of the Pacific.’

Between 1948-58, forty-three nuclear weapons were detonated over Enewetak and its sister islands. Among these tests were ‘Ivy Mike’ and ‘Castle Bravo’ (a device 1000X as powerful as the bomb ‘Little Boy’ which was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan post Pearl Harbor.)

In 1977, a coalition of United States military forces and civilian support teams were sanctioned to ‘clean’ the islands of residual radioactive fallout. Men, many who were mere teenagers back in the day, were tasked with cleaning the contaminated fallout from the nuclear testing that occurred throughout the previous three decades. Keep in mind, that as recent as 2012, the United Nations reported that the cumulative effects from all that nuclear testing had effectively caused near-irreversible environmental contamination. There was a problem beginning in 1977 and currently, effects from that exposure have begun to manifest, taking toll on many surviving Enewetak vets and contractors today. Four decades later, survivors are telling their stories because the world needs to know.

Personal story by Robert 'Strongbear' Bates

Branch: US Army MOS: Senior Medic NCOIC (Also a Veteran of Vietnam as well) Location: Lojwa, Marshall Islands Year: Sep. 1978-April 1979

Quote: “I’m proud to have served my country and would do so again. I just wish they had been up front with us from the beginning…”

“I am but one of a few of the survivors of the 1977-1980 Enewetak Atoll Atomic Debris Cleanup Mission that took place in the Marshall Islands.

A major focus of this group has been to help one another with information and moral support during some of the challenging times we’ve encountered following our time in service at Enewetak.

A secondary focus/goal is to urge Congress to change current law and recognize Cold War Era soldiers of the Enewetak Cleanup Mission as “veterans who participated in radiation-risk activities during active service.”

By obtaining this second goal, individuals experiencing health complications resulting from radiation exposure at Enewetak Atoll will be eligible to apply for funds that have previously been set-aside for other Atomic Veterans who have already been recognized and acknowledged for their service.

“Before being sent to the Marshall Islands, I was told I was being asked to ‘volunteer’ for a special duty assignment in the South Pacific: somewhere called Enewetak. My First Sgt knew that I was a scuba diver and told me it was going to be like taking a once in a life time vacation. Prior to that, I’d only heard about the place once before, back when my Dad had told me about being there himself during WWII.”

We were sent to Hawaii first; Hickham AFB where we were billeted in NCO Transient Billets (which were more like a Holiday Inn with maid and room service.)Then we went to Schofield Barracks for a day of in-processing, then back to Hickam where all I had to do was check in that morning by phone and then was free for the rest of the day for the next three days.

“My first day on Lowja, they had us dress in the ‘banana suit’ then paraded us around. (I thought that was more like a frat hazing.) Other than that, my uniform was usually just cutoff Jungle fatigue shorts, grey tee shirt, OD green socks, Jungle boots and Boonie hat. I wore a mask just one time.”

“As the NCOIC, I had the task of setting up the schedules for the medics, (such as who was going to be on which Island on what day) as well as making sure we had all the proper supplies for our medical bags (a challenge at times). As a medic, I was responsible for treating wounds, injuries and any illnesses, watching out for heat injuries (especially among the ‘Newbies’), reporting any personnel not fit for duty, as well as keeping logs of any and all injuries and reporting them to command.”

“As far as when I began thinking something wasn't quite right there, it was my first day on Enjebe (Janet). My medic shack was basically with the Air Force FRST (Field Radiological Survey Team, the guys who checked intensities and background levels of radiation contamination.) They seemed concerned, so I asked them what was wrong. I was told that with the particular levels they were reading that our men ‘really’ should be in protective gear to ensure their safety. So when I returned to Lowja that night, I asked why we didn't use or have any protective gear in the field. I was told that the radiation levels were really low level/ borderline and that the gear wasn't needed. I explained how the AF FRST guys had said that we probably should get some to which I was then told, “In a perfect world we might have everything that we need but we were in the military, so get back to your job, and don’t be a trouble maker.” We’d all be okay, I was basically told to tell everybody to shower off good and not eat the sand!

“I feel what we did there was important, at least if cleaning up some of the mess our country made really helped. (If all of that was just ‘eye wash’ then why were we there?) Places like Enewetak and the recent disaster with the nuclear power plant in Japan clearly show how nuclear power really isn't so safe. I'm proud to have served my country but just wish they’d have been more upfront with us and given us the proper equipment to do the job right (and safe )to begin with. I'm sure that the majority of men I served with would say the same. Because like me, they cared about our country and served with honor.”

“I’ll give you this parting remark; We were once young, trusting and naïve soldiers. Now we are older, smarter, AND NOT SO TRUSTING. Just remember, as Edmund Burke stated, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." We did something, didn't we? Hopefully we made a difference.”

"The primary focus for this group is to urge Congress to change legislation and recognize soldiers of this seemingly forgotten cleanup mission as veterans who participated in radiation-risk activities during active service.”

Follow our cause: Atomic Veterans of Enewetak Atoll