ATTACHMENT 1 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 in the VA agrees that no detailed statistical records are required. (Telcon LCol McDonnel to Dr. George W. Lyon, 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 June 51) of 23 May 52 to AC/S, G-4, Dept of Army. SWPDF SWPSC SWPSV SWPAG 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 Army 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 ________________________________ Date:___________________________ DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ARMED FORCES SPECIAL WEAPONS PROJECT P.O. BOX 2610 WASHINGTON 13, D.C. 10 December 1952 MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF, WEAPONS DEFENSE DIVISION SUBJECT: VA Letter to General Loper of 2 December 1952 on 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. The following information was obtained: a. The VA does approve of the policy of the Armed Forces in keeping detailed statistical records of radiological exposures 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 proposed (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 lb 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 Faille Panel on 7 and 8 January. The Faille 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 JPMAAN and comments of this panel will be invited. After these panel meetings the AFSWP the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to participate in preliminary discussions on the subject "Veterans Administration Requirement for Maintenance of Detailed Radiation Exposure for Military Personnel in Wartime Operations".