Establishes the "atomic veterans medal" for members of the armed forces or organized militia exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of atomic weapons tests

Summary of provisions

This bill would amend section 247 of the military law, to provide that the governor is hereby authorized to present in the name of the legislature of the state of New York, a military decoration, to be known as the Atomic Veterans Medal, bearing a suitable inscription, device and ribbon, all of which shall be of suitable design, to any person:

(i) who is a citizen of the state of New York or

(ii) who was a citizen of the state of New York while serving in the armed forces of the United States or organized militia, and who, while serving in the United States Armed Forces defined as the army, air force, navy, marine corps or coast guard, or the organized militia who was exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of atomic weapons tests conducted by the United States between 1945 and 1963.

This bill would further provide that not more than one atomic veterans medal shall be issued to anyone person; nor shall any citation be awarded or presentation, under the provisions of this subdivision, to any person whose entire service subsequent to the time of the receipt of such medal shall not have been honorable.

This bill would additionally provide that in the event of the death of any person during or subsequent to the receipt of such medal shall be presented to such representative of the deceased as may be designated. The adjutant general would further make such rules and regulations as may be deemed necessary for the proper presentation and distribution of such decorations.

Justification

Atomic Veterans were members of the United States Armed Forces who participated in atmospheric and underwater nuclear weapons tests from 16 July, 1945 to 30 October 1962. They also include veterans who were assigned to post test duties, such as "ground zero" nuclear warfare maneuvers and exercises, removing radiation cloud samples from aircraft wing pods, working in close proximity to radiated test animals, decontamination of aircraft and field test equipment, retrieval and transport of test instruments and devices, and a host of other duty assignments that provided an opportunity for a radiation exposure and contamination event. Also included are military personnel who were a part of the occupation forces assigned to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan soon after the detonation of Atomic Bombs over those respective cities, and those American prisoners of war (POW's) who were housed in close proximity to those cities. These definitions, that are included in this bill, are consistent with the federal Veterans Administration's official description of an Atomic Veteran.

There were more than one million U.S. Armed Forces personnel, civilian scientists and engineering technicians involved in the detonation of nuclear & thermonuclear weapon devices, from 16 July 1945 to 23 September, 1992. The United States has sponsored a total of 1,054 nuclear weapons tests, and detonated two of these weapons over enemy soil during an act of war. During this period of time there were 1,147 actual nuclear tests. This bill would allow the approximately 3,000 Atomic Veterans residing in New York to be honored and awarded for their dedicated service.

Legislative history

S.3097 of 2012/13 - Reported to Senate Finance

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act would take effect immediately.