Presidential Documents

38207 

Federal Register 

Vol. 86, No. 136 

Tuesday, July 20, 2021 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 10232 of July 15, 2021 

National Atomic Veterans Day, 2021 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

On July 16, 1945, the United States detonated the world’s first nuclear 

device in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Better known by its code name, ‘‘Trinity,’’ the successful test of the first atomic bomb brought forth a new age 

of science that changed the lives of many of those who served in our 

Armed Forces, and forever altered the nature and the risks of war. Just 

weeks later, the world witnessed the horrors of nuclear destruction at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which marked the end of World War II but opened 

our eyes to the truth that a nuclear war must never be fought. 

Many brave men and women have risked their lives in service to our 

Nation, but few know the story of our ‘‘Atomic Veterans’’—American military 

service members who participated in nuclear tests between 1945 and 1962, 

served with United States military forces in or around Hiroshima and Nagasaki through mid-1946, or were held as prisoners of war in or near Hiroshima 

or Nagasaki. These veterans served at testing sites like the Bikini Atoll 

and witnessed the destructive power of nuclear weapons firsthand. On National Atomic Veterans Day, we recognize and honor the contributions of 

America’s Atomic Veterans for their sacrifice and dedication to our Nation’s 

security, and recommit to supporting our Atomic Veterans and educating 

ourselves on the role these patriots played in our national story. 

Atomic Veterans served our Nation with distinction, but their service came 

at a great cost. Many developed health conditions due to radiation exposure, 

yet because they were not able to discuss the nature of their service, they 

were unable to seek medical care or disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs for their illnesses. Decades later in 1996, the United 

States Congress repealed the Nuclear Radiation and Secrecy Agreements 

Act, allowing Atomic Veterans to tell their stories and file for benefits. 

By then, thousands of Atomic Veterans had died without their families 

knowing the true extent of their service. 

Our Nation has one truly sacred obligation: to properly prepare and equip 

our troops when we send them into harm’s way, and to care for them 

and their families when they return from service. As Commander in Chief, 

I am committed to fulfilling our obligation to the Atomic Veterans and 

their families, and ensuring that all of our Nation’s veterans have timely 

access to needed services, medical care, and benefits. 

On this National Atomic Veterans Day, our country remembers the service 

and sacrifices of Atomic Veterans. Their heroism and patriotism will never 

be forgotten and we always honor their bravery and devotion to duty. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States 

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 

and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim July 16, 2021, as 

National Atomic Veterans Day. I call upon all Americans to observe this 

day with appropriate ceremonies and activities that honor our Nation’s 

Atomic Veterans whose brave service and sacrifice played an important 

role in the defense of our Nation. 


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38208 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 136 / Tuesday, July 20, 2021 / Presidential Documents 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day 

of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the 

Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fortysixth. 

[FR Doc. 2021–15520 

Filed 7–19–21; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3295–F1–P 


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