A third veteran from Pierre has been honored for his service to the United States military’s atomic and nuclear weapons programs.
South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds and staff member Bob DeJong presented the Atomic Veterans Commemorative Service Medal to US Navy veteran Darrell “Pete” Witte during a gathering today (Oct. 20, 2023) at the American Legion.
This is a fairly new medal, so Rounds staff member Bob DeJong shared some information about it.
Witte was a US Navy radio man during several testing operations.
Wittee says at the time, the soldiers didn’t know what the testing was about.
Civilians on the ship conducted tests on the affect of radiation on the land, water and animal life in the area at the time. Years down the road, Witte says, is when the impact started to show up in the soldiers.
Gerald Johnson and Sherman Monroe, Jr., (posthumously) of Pierre have also received the Atomic Veterans Commemorative Service Medal.
“Pete” Witte and Senator Mike Rounds.
Photo credit Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
Bob DeJong, Darrell “Pete” Witte and Senator Mike Rounds.
Photo credit Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
“Pete” Witte and Senator Mike Rounds.
Photo credit Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
About the medal:
On July 5, 2022, the SECDEF established the Atomic Veterans Commemorative Service Medal to commemorate the service and sacrifice of veterans who were instrumental in the development of our Nation’s atomic and nuclear weapons programs. Our Nation’s long-standing nuclear deterrence capability resulted from the service and sacrifice of Service members (now known as “Atomic Veterans”) who participated in the initial testing and development of our Nation’s atomic and nuclear weapons programs. Notably, the dangerous and important work these veterans performed was often done in secret due to national security requirements.
The Atomic Veterans Commemorative Service Medal recognizes that the service and sacrifice of the Atomic Veterans directly contributed to our Nation’s continued freedom and prosperity during the period following World War II, and was pivotal to our Nation’s defense during the Cold War era.
Veterans eligible for the medal are those who, while performing official military duties during the period of July 1, 1945, to October 1, 1992:
(1) directly participated in the detonation of an atomic weapon or device;
(2) directly participated in the cleanup of radioactive material resulting from any such atmospheric detonation;
(3) directly participated in the cleanup of radioactive material resulting from an accident associated with an atomic weapon; or
(4) were exposed to ionizing radiation resulting from the operational use of atomic weapons during World War II.
The Director of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) will manage the Department’s Atomic Veterans Commemorative Service Medal program.
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