Military burn pits have taken many lives. Hear Veterans tell the truth about toxic exposure from burn pits

An Officer’s Account of the Nuclear testing on Johnston Atoll

Is the island still a toxic wasteland? Not so much.

Discover the history of JACADS on Johnston Atoll, the U.S. Army’s first chemical weapons disposal site. Learn about its role in destroying Agent Orange and nerve agents, plus its environmental and veteran impact.

A Veteran discusses working inside JCADS on Johnston Island in the 1990’s

Australia played a significant role in the Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA) under General Douglas MacArthur, conducting numerous amphibious campaigns, particularly in New Guinea and Borneo. Australian forces, often supported by U.S. air and naval units, were instrumental in liberating Japanese-held territories, leveraging their experience in jungle warfare and amphibious operations honed in earlier campaigns.

The decision to invade specific Pacific islands was driven by the need to overcome the era’s technological and human constraints. Communications required relay stations on islands like Saipan to bridge vast distances; aircraft needed airfields like Iwo Jima’s to extend their limited ranges; and ships demanded anchorages like Okinawa’s to sustain fuel and crew endurance. These invasions secured the infrastructure necessary to dismantle Japan’s defensive perimeter, support Allied advances, and ultimately force Japan’s surrender, while bypassing less critical strongholds preserved resources and minimized losses

Stationed on Sand Island, a tiny islet near the main atoll, Frank worked in a satellite tracking station built atop debris from the 1964 Thor rocket explosion. He described a stark, isolated life: no women were present, and recreation was limited to weightlifting, softball on a coral field, and rain-soaked outdoor movies. The mess hall, run by Holmes & Narver, offered gourmet meals like filet mignon—a rare luxury on an island steeped in danger.

One vivid memory was a 1967 Thor rocket launch targeting an orbiting object. The night sky erupted in yellow, orange, and green as a nuclear explosion lit up the horizon, confirming the mission’s success. Unbeknownst to him, the island’s radioactive past, including two Thor rocket explosions in 1962 and 1964, violated a nuclear test ban treaty, explaining the secrecy surrounding his work.

A Brief History of Johnston Island