Attachment 6-A SWPDF-2 8 August 1952 The Administrator Veterans Administration Washington 25, D. C. Attention: Dr. George M. Lyon Dear Sir: This activity has received information that the Army Field Forces is proposing to eliminate the requirement for maintaining detailed statistical records of radiological exposures received by Army personnel. This requirement was originally conceived as being necessary to protect the government's interest in case any large number of veterans should attempt to bring suit against the government based on a real or imagined exposure to nuclear radiations during an atomic war. Although the Army Field Forces is the only organization which is now proposing to eliminate this requirement, it is possible that the Navy and Air Force may propose similar action in the future. It is not intended that this will change the present policy as regards health protection measures presently in use at isotope laboratories, atomic tests, etc. The Armed Forces Special Weapons Project, in its capacity as a coordinating agency in matters pertaining to atomic warfare, requests that the Administrator, Veterans Administration state his policy as regards the need for the keeping of such records, in order that the three Armed Services may be advised. /s/ HERBERT B. LOPER Major General, USA Chief, AFSWP Declassified by DNA, Chief, ISTS DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ARMED FORCES SPECIAL WEAPONS PROJECT P. O. BOX 2616 WASHINGTON 13, D.C. 10 December 1952 MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF, WEAPONS DEFENSE DIVISION SUBJECT: VA Letter to General Loper of 2 December 1952on Armed Forces Film Badge Requirements 1. Reference is made to your memorandum of 9 December on the same subject, and to the attached subject correspondence. 2. In accordance with our discussions, I talked with Dr. George Lyon on 9 December 1952, for the purpose of discussion of the letter from the Administrator of the Veterans Affairs to General Loper regarding the VA need for complete dosimetry records. a. The VA does approve of the policy of the Armed Forces in keeping detailed statistical records of radiological exposure during laboratory operations or atomic tests. b. The VA feels that a continuation of this procedure for "combat conditions" would be desirable in the adjudication of veteran claims for damage attributed to ionizing radiation exposure, but they propose (as indicated in the second page of General Gray's letter) that there will be a conference between representatives of the AFSWP and the VA before this requirement is laid before the Services. 3. Accordingly, it is recommended that action to implement the discussions of 1b supra be withheld until after the Joint Panel on the Medical Aspects of Atomic Warfare meeting on 7, 8, and 9 January, and the concurrent meeting of the Failla Panel on 7 and 8 January. The Failla Panel will be informed of the status of the negotiations between the AFSWP and the VA on this matter. Discussion of this subject* is to be presented before the JPMAAW and comments of this panel will be invited. After these panel meetings the AFSWP should invite the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to participate in preliminary discussions on the subject "Veterans Administration Requirement for Maintenance of Detailed Radiation Exposure Records for Military Personnel in Wartime Operations". * "The Subject" refers to dosimetry within the Armed Forces with no specific reference to the VA or negotiations between AFSWP and VA SWPDF-2 8 Aug 52 The Administrator Veterans Administration Wash 25, D. C. Attention: Dr. George M. Lyon /s/ HERBERT B. LOPER Major General, USA Chief, AFSWP M/R: The AFSWP has received informal advice that the VA agrees that no detailed statistical records are required. (Telcon LCol McDonnel to Dr. George M. Lych, VA). This ltr. is intended to obtain a formal statement of this policy for the record. It is requested that the Security Div. determine whether the addressee has proper clearance. The notification referred to in the 1st para of this ltr. was contained in OCAFF ltr. ATDEV-4 413.6/49 (C) (4 Jun 51) of 23 May 52 to AC/S, G-4, Dept. of Army. SWPDF SWPSC SWPSV SWPAG