Forgotten Sacrifices: The Untold Story of Enewetak Atoll Veterans' Fight for Recognition

Unveiling the Long Shadow of Radiation Exposure from the 1977-1980 Cleanup Mission

Forgotten Sacrifices: The Untold Story of Enewetak Atoll Veterans' Fight for Recognition

Unveiling the Long Shadow of Radiation Exposure from the 1977-1980 Cleanup Mission

A tragic saga unfolds as the human cost of the Enewetak Atoll Radiological Cleanup Project (1977-1980) is finally brought to light. On September 14, 2023, Jeff Allen Fortin, a former Atomic Veteran, unveiled a story of immense sacrifice, ignored suffering, and a decades-long fight for recognition.

In an exclusive report, Fortin delves deep into the shadows of history, illuminating the lives of over 8,000 participants, including members of the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and civilian personnel, who undertook the dangerous task of cleaning radioactive fallout on the remote Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Their mission, known as Operation OPLAN 600-77, involved immense personal risks, many of which are only now being fully understood.

Fortin’s investigation reveals that the consequences of the cleanup mission are far from over. While only 9% of participants have reconnected through a dedicated website, the data reveals shocking insights into the health crisis facing these veterans. Of the 757 individuals who have come forward, 96% are military participants, with civilians making up the remaining 4%.

Tragically, 49% of those who have reconnected report health issues related to radiation exposure, while 38% reported no issues. The health concerns paint a distressing picture, as veterans suffer from ailments they believe stem from their involvement in the cleanup mission. The Army, which accounts for 18% of the reconnected participants, saw 47% of its members report health problems. The Navy (7% reconnected) and Air Force (4% reconnected) reported similarly disturbing figures, with 47% and 52% of their participants, respectively, facing health challenges. The US Coast Guard, represented by a single participant, reported 100% health challenges—a stark reminder of the individual human toll.

Yet the story goes beyond those who have reconnected. Fortin’s report reveals the heartbreaking scope of those still unreached: 2,180 Army, 2,053 Navy, 655 Air Force, and more than 2,000 civilian and contractor personnel remain unaccounted for. These staggering numbers raise urgent questions about accountability, access to healthcare, and the long-delayed justice for the veterans and civilians who sacrificed their health and well-being.

As this investigation highlights, the fight for recognition is far from over. Fortin’s work exposes the nation’s overdue obligation to acknowledge the forgotten Atomic Veterans and provide them with the care and respect they so richly deserve. The silent suffering of these heroes demands a voice, and the time for justice is now.