{"id":25306,"date":"2024-02-23T15:34:27","date_gmt":"2024-02-23T15:34:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/02\/23\/atomic-veterans-commemorative-service-medal-pieces-of-history\/"},"modified":"2024-02-23T15:34:27","modified_gmt":"2024-02-23T15:34:27","slug":"atomic-veterans-commemorative-service-medal-pieces-of-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/02\/23\/atomic-veterans-commemorative-service-medal-pieces-of-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Atomic Veterans Commemorative Service Medal \u2013 Pieces of History"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><em>Today\u2019s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an expert archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Far out in the New Mexico desert, the largest government-funded scientific endeavor culminated in the first nuclear detonation at the White Sands Missile Range. The bright flash followed by intense heat and billowing mushroom cloud heralded the dawn of the atomic age. Physicists, nuclear scientists, chemists, and representatives of the U.S. Armed Forces who took part in the Manhattan Project would never forget their accomplishment. But their work would remain top secret for many years.<\/p>\n<figure data-carousel-extra=\"{\" blog_id=\"\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/05573_1997_001_AC.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"738\" data-attachment-id=\"36905\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/2024\/02\/21\/atomic-veterans-commemorative-service-medal\/05573_1997_001_ac\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/05573_1997_001_AC.jpg?fit=600%2C738&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"600,738\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"05573_1997_001_AC\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;\u2018Exercise Desert Rock,\u2019 Atomic bomb test, Yucca Flats, &#9;5\/01\/1952. (Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, National Archives)&lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/05573_1997_001_AC.jpg?fit=244%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/05573_1997_001_AC.jpg?fit=600%2C738&amp;ssl=1\" data-id=\"36905\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36905 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/05573_1997_001_AC.jpg?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/05573_1997_001_AC.jpg?resize=244%2C300&amp;ssl=1 244w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/05573_1997_001_AC.jpg?resize=600%2C738&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"738\" data-attachment-id=\"36905\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/2024\/02\/21\/atomic-veterans-commemorative-service-medal\/05573_1997_001_ac\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/05573_1997_001_AC.jpg?fit=600%2C738&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"600,738\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"05573_1997_001_AC\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;\u2018Exercise Desert Rock,\u2019 Atomic bomb test, Yucca Flats, &#9;5\/01\/1952. (Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, National Archives)&lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/05573_1997_001_AC.jpg?fit=244%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/05573_1997_001_AC.jpg?fit=600%2C738&amp;ssl=1\" data-id=\"36905\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/05573_1997_001_AC.jpg?resize=600%2C738&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36905\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/05573_1997_001_AC.jpg?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/05573_1997_001_AC.jpg?resize=244%2C300&amp;ssl=1 244w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u2018Exercise Desert Rock,\u2019 Atomic bomb test, Yucca Flats, 5\/01\/1952. (Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, National Archives)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<p>As the Cold War slowly replaced the Second World War and nations scrambled to initiate their own nuclear weapons programs, nuclear deterrence became integral in the fabric of U.S. defense policy. Throughout the Cold War, nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) were manufactured, stored, and maintained by the thousands at U.S. Armed Forces installations around the world. Thousands of service members were responsible for their maintenance, security, and ultimately for the slim chance that the fateful order might come to launch the most destructive weapons in human history.<\/p>\n<p>Service members with this distinction received a special recognition recently. In July 2022, the Department of Defense announced the creation of the Atomic Veterans Commemorative Service Medal (AVCSM). In a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defense.gov\/News\/Releases\/Release\/Article\/3083737\/defense-department-announces-atomic-veterans-commemorative-service-medal\/\">press release<\/a>, the department states:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Atomic Veterans Commemorative Service Medal recognizes that the service and sacrifice of the Atomic Veterans directly contributed to our Nation\u2019s continued freedom and prosperity during the period following World War II, and was pivotal to our Nation\u2019s defense during the Cold War era.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Nuclear weapons have since lost their significance following the Cold War, but the veterans who worked closely with them have gained notoriety through their advocacy. The Atomic Veterans Commemorative Service Medal was authorized by Section 583 of the National Defense Authorization Act, and responsibility for establishing and managing the award belongs to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). The DTRA established guidelines that include an application form and how to navigate the awarding process.<\/p>\n<figure data-carousel-extra=\"{\" blog_id=\"\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"685\" height=\"552\" data-attachment-id=\"36908\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/2024\/02\/21\/atomic-veterans-commemorative-service-medal\/landscape-100\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/434-RF-10-2_29-1236M-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C2063&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,2063\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;NARA&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Landscape&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Landscape&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Landscape\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Atomic Cannon Test, Frenchman\u2019s Flat, Nevada,&lt;br \/&gt;&#10;5\/23\/1953. (National Archives Identifier 558590)&lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/434-RF-10-2_29-1236M-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C242&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/434-RF-10-2_29-1236M-scaled.jpg?fit=685%2C552&amp;ssl=1\" data-id=\"36908\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36908 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/434-RF-10-2_29-1236M-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C825&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/434-RF-10-2_29-1236M-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C242&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/434-RF-10-2_29-1236M-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C619&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/434-RF-10-2_29-1236M-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1238&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/434-RF-10-2_29-1236M-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1650&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/434-RF-10-2_29-1236M-scaled.jpg?resize=685%2C552&amp;ssl=1 685w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/434-RF-10-2_29-1236M-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1611&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/434-RF-10-2_29-1236M-scaled.jpg?w=1370 1370w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/434-RF-10-2_29-1236M-1024x825.jpg?resize=685%2C552&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"685\" height=\"552\" data-attachment-id=\"36908\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/2024\/02\/21\/atomic-veterans-commemorative-service-medal\/landscape-100\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/434-RF-10-2_29-1236M-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C2063&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,2063\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;NARA&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Landscape&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Landscape&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Landscape\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Atomic Cannon Test, Frenchman\u2019s Flat, Nevada,&lt;br \/&gt;&#10;5\/23\/1953. (National Archives Identifier 558590)&lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/434-RF-10-2_29-1236M-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C242&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/434-RF-10-2_29-1236M-scaled.jpg?fit=685%2C552&amp;ssl=1\" data-id=\"36908\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/434-RF-10-2_29-1236M-1024x825.jpg?resize=685%2C552&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36908\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/434-RF-10-2_29-1236M-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C825&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/434-RF-10-2_29-1236M-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C242&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/434-RF-10-2_29-1236M-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C619&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/434-RF-10-2_29-1236M-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1238&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/434-RF-10-2_29-1236M-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1650&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/434-RF-10-2_29-1236M-scaled.jpg?resize=685%2C552&amp;ssl=1 685w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/434-RF-10-2_29-1236M-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1611&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/434-RF-10-2_29-1236M-scaled.jpg?w=1370 1370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Atomic Cannon Test, Frenchman\u2019s Flat, Nevada, 5\/23\/1953. (<a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.archives.gov\/id\/558590\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Archives Identifier 558590<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<p>When it comes to eligibility with military service awards, specific vocabulary is essential. The key terms to remember with the AVCSM are \u201cradiation exposure\u201d and \u201cradiation-risk activity.\u201d This means that a veteran must have participated in an exercise or an active duty assignment that involved the risk of exposure to radioactivity. Service members who fit any of these qualifications are eligible for the AVCSM for the period of July 1, 1945, to October 1, 1992. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Testing and detonation of nuclear devices<\/li>\n<li>Occupation of areas with radioactive exposures<\/li>\n<li>Refinement of nuclear raw materials<\/li>\n<li>Participation in the clean-up of nuclear detonation test sites and radioactive material<\/li>\n<li>Storage and maintenance of ICBM silos or nuclear weapons storage facilities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Now what is the role of the National Archives and the National Personnel Records Center with the new award? Unlike routine awards requests where NPRC technicians review the service record and forward a list of entitled awards to the respective service branch, this award is given exclusively by the DTRA. The NPRC\u2019s role is to provide the veteran with the necessary documentation showing duty stations or Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) associated with nuclear and atomic weapons.<\/p>\n<p>The relevant documentation can be found in the Assignment History (Duty Locations) and any document mentioning radiation monitoring, exposure, and\/or atomic test participation or radiation duty. When contacting NPRC, veterans should specify they are requesting documents relating to any assignments or duty stations involving radioactive activity. Once veterans receive the appropriate documents, they then fill out the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dtra.mil\/Portals\/61\/Documents\/NTPR\/DTRA-Form-150-F-AVCSM-Application-07-07-2022.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DTRA Form 150<\/a>. On this form, veterans must provide as much detailed information regarding their atomic\/nuclear-related service duties. Once completed, the DTRA reviews and makes its final determination.<\/p>\n<figure data-carousel-extra=\"{\" blog_id=\"\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"685\" height=\"887\" data-attachment-id=\"36920\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/2024\/02\/21\/atomic-veterans-commemorative-service-medal\/operation-crossroads-2_0001_redacted\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/operation-crossroads-2_0001_Redacted.jpg?fit=1224%2C1584&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1224,1584\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"operation crossroads 2_0001_Redacted\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Navy service record of a veteran who was in Operation Crossroads, a pair of nuclear weapons testing conducted by the U.S. in the South Pacific, 1946. (U.S. Navy World War II Personnel Record, National Archives at St. Louis, NPRC) &lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/operation-crossroads-2_0001_Redacted.jpg?fit=232%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/operation-crossroads-2_0001_Redacted.jpg?fit=685%2C887&amp;ssl=1\" data-id=\"36920\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36920 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/operation-crossroads-2_0001_Redacted.jpg?resize=791%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 791w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/operation-crossroads-2_0001_Redacted.jpg?resize=232%2C300&amp;ssl=1 232w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/operation-crossroads-2_0001_Redacted.jpg?resize=768%2C994&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/operation-crossroads-2_0001_Redacted.jpg?resize=1187%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1187w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/operation-crossroads-2_0001_Redacted.jpg?resize=685%2C886&amp;ssl=1 685w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/operation-crossroads-2_0001_Redacted.jpg?w=1224&amp;ssl=1 1224w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/operation-crossroads-2_0001_Redacted-791x1024.jpg?resize=685%2C887&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"685\" height=\"887\" data-attachment-id=\"36920\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/2024\/02\/21\/atomic-veterans-commemorative-service-medal\/operation-crossroads-2_0001_redacted\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/operation-crossroads-2_0001_Redacted.jpg?fit=1224%2C1584&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1224,1584\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"operation crossroads 2_0001_Redacted\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Navy service record of a veteran who was in Operation Crossroads, a pair of nuclear weapons testing conducted by the U.S. in the South Pacific, 1946. (U.S. Navy World War II Personnel Record, National Archives at St. Louis, NPRC) &lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/operation-crossroads-2_0001_Redacted.jpg?fit=232%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/operation-crossroads-2_0001_Redacted.jpg?fit=685%2C887&amp;ssl=1\" data-id=\"36920\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/operation-crossroads-2_0001_Redacted-791x1024.jpg?resize=685%2C887&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36920\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/operation-crossroads-2_0001_Redacted.jpg?resize=791%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 791w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/operation-crossroads-2_0001_Redacted.jpg?resize=232%2C300&amp;ssl=1 232w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/operation-crossroads-2_0001_Redacted.jpg?resize=768%2C994&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/operation-crossroads-2_0001_Redacted.jpg?resize=1187%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1187w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/operation-crossroads-2_0001_Redacted.jpg?resize=685%2C886&amp;ssl=1 685w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/operation-crossroads-2_0001_Redacted.jpg?w=1224&amp;ssl=1 1224w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Navy service record of a veteran who was in Operation Crossroads, a pair of nuclear weapons testing conducted by the U.S. in the South Pacific, 1946. (U.S. Navy World War II Personnel Record, National Archives at St. Louis, NPRC) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The creation of the Atomic Veterans Commemorative Service Medal is an important recognition given to those who served our country and with whom we entrusted with the safety, maintenance, and humanitarian needs of atomic weapons. What\u2019s more profound is that no nuclear weapons have been needed in conflict since the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The United States Armed Forces remained vigilant with its nuclear deterrence, and we have those veterans to thank for their service with the deadliest weapons in history.<\/p>\n<figure data-carousel-extra=\"{\" blog_id=\"\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"685\" height=\"1021\" data-attachment-id=\"36910\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/2024\/02\/21\/atomic-veterans-commemorative-service-medal\/df-st-84-04975-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/DF-ST-84-04975-scaled.jpeg?fit=1719%2C2560&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1719,2560\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;TSGT HERMAN J. KOKOJAN, USAF&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;An Air Force Tech. Sgt. checks for radiation on the island of Runit during a clean-up of Eniwetok Atoll.  The U.S. used islands in the atoll for atomic testing in the 1950's.&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;DF-ST-84-04975&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"DF-ST-84-04975\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;An Air Force TECH. SGT. checks for radiation on the island of Runit during a clean-up of Eniwetok Atoll. The U.S. used islands in the atoll for atomic testing in the 1950s, April 1, 1978. (National Archives Identifier 6376871)&lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/DF-ST-84-04975-scaled.jpeg?fit=201%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/DF-ST-84-04975-scaled.jpeg?fit=685%2C1021&amp;ssl=1\" data-id=\"36910\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36910 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/DF-ST-84-04975-scaled.jpeg?resize=687%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 687w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/DF-ST-84-04975-scaled.jpeg?resize=201%2C300&amp;ssl=1 201w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/DF-ST-84-04975-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C1144&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/DF-ST-84-04975-scaled.jpeg?resize=1031%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1031w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/DF-ST-84-04975-scaled.jpeg?resize=1375%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1375w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/DF-ST-84-04975-scaled.jpeg?resize=685%2C1020&amp;ssl=1 685w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/DF-ST-84-04975-scaled.jpeg?resize=2000%2C2979&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/DF-ST-84-04975-scaled.jpeg?w=1719&amp;ssl=1 1719w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/DF-ST-84-04975-687x1024.jpeg?resize=685%2C1021&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"685\" height=\"1021\" data-attachment-id=\"36910\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/2024\/02\/21\/atomic-veterans-commemorative-service-medal\/df-st-84-04975-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/DF-ST-84-04975-scaled.jpeg?fit=1719%2C2560&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1719,2560\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;TSGT HERMAN J. KOKOJAN, USAF&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;An Air Force Tech. Sgt. checks for radiation on the island of Runit during a clean-up of Eniwetok Atoll.  The U.S. used islands in the atoll for atomic testing in the 1950's.&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;DF-ST-84-04975&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"DF-ST-84-04975\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;An Air Force TECH. SGT. checks for radiation on the island of Runit during a clean-up of Eniwetok Atoll. The U.S. used islands in the atoll for atomic testing in the 1950s, April 1, 1978. (National Archives Identifier 6376871)&lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/DF-ST-84-04975-scaled.jpeg?fit=201%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/DF-ST-84-04975-scaled.jpeg?fit=685%2C1021&amp;ssl=1\" data-id=\"36910\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/DF-ST-84-04975-687x1024.jpeg?resize=685%2C1021&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36910\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/DF-ST-84-04975-scaled.jpeg?resize=687%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 687w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/DF-ST-84-04975-scaled.jpeg?resize=201%2C300&amp;ssl=1 201w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/DF-ST-84-04975-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C1144&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/DF-ST-84-04975-scaled.jpeg?resize=1031%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1031w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/DF-ST-84-04975-scaled.jpeg?resize=1375%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1375w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/DF-ST-84-04975-scaled.jpeg?resize=685%2C1020&amp;ssl=1 685w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/DF-ST-84-04975-scaled.jpeg?resize=2000%2C2979&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/02\/DF-ST-84-04975-scaled.jpeg?w=1719&amp;ssl=1 1719w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An Air Force tech. sgt. checks for radiation on the island of Runit during a clean-up of Eniwetok Atoll, April 1, 1978. The U.S. used islands in the atoll for atomic testing in the 1950s (<a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.archives.gov\/id\/6376871\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Archives Identifier 6376871<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<p>For more information on the Atomic Veterans Commemorative Service Medal, visit the Defense Threat Reduction Agency website. Completed responses should be sent to this address: <\/p>\n<p>Defense Threat Reduction Agency<br \/>Attn: RDNTS (NTPR)<br \/>8725 John J. Kingman Road, Stop 6201<br \/>Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-6201<\/p>\n<p>For assistance on processing your application, please either call the NTPR toll-free helpline: (1-800-462-3683), write to the provided NTPR address, or email at dtra-ntpr@mail.mil.<\/p>\n<p><em>We encourage you to bring your questions to <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/historyhub.history.gov\/military-records\/\"><em>History Hub\u2019s Military Records Community<\/em><\/a><em>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/2024\/02\/21\/atomic-veterans-commemorative-service-medal\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Today\u2019s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an expert archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri.\u00a0 Far out in the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":25307,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[182],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25306","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-history"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25306","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25306"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25306\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25307"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25306"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25306"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25306"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}