I
105TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 432
To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the issuance of
a nuclear radiation medal to persons who while members of the Armed
Forces participated in an activity resulting in risk of exposure to nuclear
radiation.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JANUARY 9, 1997
Mr. RICHARDSON introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on National Security
A BILL
To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the
issuance of a nuclear radiation medal to persons who
while members of the Armed Forces participated in an
activity resulting in risk of exposure to nuclear radiation.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. ISSUANCE OF NUCLEAR RADIATION MEDAL TO
PERSONS WHO WHILE MEMBERS OF THE
ARMED FORCES PARTICIPATED IN A RADI-
ATION-RISK ACTIVITY.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 57 of title 10, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the follow-
ing new section:
‘‘§ 1131. Nuclear radiation medal: issue
‘‘(a)(1) The Secretary concerned shall issue a nuclear
radiation medal to any person who, as a member of the
armed forces, participated in a radiation-risk activity—
‘‘(A) while serving on active duty; or
‘‘(B) while performing active duty for training
or inactive duty training.
‘‘(2) In this section, the term ‘radiation-risk activity’
means any of the following:
‘‘(A) On-site participation in a test involving
the atmospheric detonation of a nuclear device.
‘‘(B) The occupation by the armed forces of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, during the period
beginning on August 6, 1945, and ending on July 1,
1946.
‘‘(C) Internment as a prisoner of war in Japan
(or service on active duty in Japan immediately fol-
lowing such internment) during World War II that
(as determined by the Secretary concerned) resulted
in an opportunity for exposure to ionizing radiation
comparable to that of persons described in subpara-
graph (B).
‘‘(D) Any other activity that, as determined by
the Secretary concerned, resulted in an opportunity
for exposure to ionizing radiation comparable to that
of persons described in subparagraph (A) or (B).
‘‘(b) The nuclear radiation medal shall be of an ap-
propriate design approved by the Secretary of Defense,
with ribbons and appurtenances.
‘‘(c) Not more than one nuclear radiation medal may
be issued to a person. However, for each succeeding par-
ticipation in a radiation-risk activity that would otherwise
justify the issuance of such a medal, the Secretary con-
cerned may issue a suitable device to be worn as the Sec-
retary determines.
‘‘(d) If a person dies before the issuance of a nuclear
radiation medal to which he is entitled, the medal may
be issued to the person’s representative, as designated by
the Secretary concerned.
‘‘(e) Under regulations to be prescribed by the Sec-
retary concerned, a nuclear radiation medal that is lost,
destroyed, or rendered unfit for use without fault or ne-
glect on the part of the person to whom it was issued may
be replaced without charge.
‘‘(f) The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that regu-
lations prescribed by the Secretaries of the military de-
partments under this section are as uniform as prac-
ticable.’’.
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding
at the end the following new item:
‘‘1131. Nuclear radiation medal: issue.’’.
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