I proudly served four years in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict.

Although my schooling and initial training was in vehicle maintenance and repair, my primary duty was performing highly classified activity under the direction and surveillance of the Atomic Energy Commission.

My duties involved the loading unloading and maintenance of nuclear weapons on B-36, B-47 and B-50 aircraft.

Since we were the initial Air Force base to receive nuclear weapons after only lab testing, many of the duties and safety measures were not completely defined. We were not issued any protective wear or monitoring equipment, so recording of any exposure data was not available.

During the loading and unloading of the aircraft, the nuclear warhead was beside me at all times. It was during these times that I was exposed to radiation that has later caused me to have multiple myeloma (cancer of the bone marrow), and mononeuritis multiplex (nerve disease.)

After becoming completely paralyzed, it has taken me more than 12 years of therapy and medication to perform some of life’s basic functions again. The VA health system has taken very good care of me.

They will not, at present, acknowledge that I was exposed to any radiation since no official data was recorded. I am still pursuing my case through the appeals process.