An Officers Perspective Of Johnston Island

The following is a summary of a podcast episode featuring an Air Force officer. He recounts his time on the island and discusses some of the challenges veterans face after having served there.

Thank you for sharing this detailed account from John West about his experiences on Johnston Island and the associated health issues due to Agent Orange and plutonium exposure. Below, I’ll summarize the key points and provide actionable insights based on the conversation, as well as address the mention of HR 1713 and related information.

### Summary of John West’s Account

1. **Johnston Island Service (1973–1975)**:

- John West, a former Air Force officer, served as a program manager and senior engineer for the Thor missile program on Johnston Island, spending approximately 200 days there on temporary duty (TDY) from 1973 to 1975.

- He describes Johnston Island as an "island paradise" but highlights its "dark side" due to environmental contamination.

2. **Agent Orange Contamination**:

- In 1972, approximately 1.3 million gallons of Agent Orange (25,000 barrels) were stored on Johnston Island as part of Operation Pacer IVO, awaiting disposal decisions.

- The barrels were in poor condition, leaking an estimated 49,000 pounds of Agent Orange into the land and sea over five years (1972–1977).

- Agent Orange contained dioxin (TCDD), a highly toxic contaminant. Tests conducted by Brooks Air Force Base in 1979 (700 days after the last barrel was removed) found dioxin in the lagoon and water supply at levels significantly above the EPA’s modern safe limit (30 parts per quadrillion).

- A 2008 Boston University study confirmed dioxin in 35% of fish species in the lagoon, indicating widespread environmental contamination.

- The island’s desalinization plant, which drew water from the contaminated lagoon, distributed dioxin-contaminated water to the mess hall, showers, and other facilities.

3. **Plutonium Contamination**:

- Johnston Island was used for nuclear testing in 1958 and 1962 (Operation Dominic). A significant incident in July 1962 (Bluegill Prime) involved a Thor missile malfunction, resulting in plutonium dispersal across the island.

- Cleanup efforts were rudimentary, involving GIs collecting debris and dumping it at sea. Subsequent surveys in the 1980s identified 500 plutonium “hot spots,” some exceeding safe levels by seven times.

- The long-term health impacts of plutonium exposure remain uncertain but are a concern, with anecdotal reports of cancer among personnel.

4. **VA Challenges**:

- The VA has consistently denied Agent Orange-related claims for Johnston Island veterans, asserting that contamination was contained and only affected those directly handling the barrels. This contradicts the Brooks and Boston University data.

- The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 (Public Law 116-23) presumes exposure for sailors within 12 miles of Vietnam or Cambodia who used desalinated water, a situation analogous to Johnston Island’s desalinization process. However, Johnston Island veterans are not covered under this act.

- John mentions HR 1713, the Lonnie Kilpatrick Central Pacific Herbicide Relief Act, which aims to extend presumed exposure to veterans who served on Johnston Island, Guam, and other locations where Agent Orange was used or stored. The bill had 88 co-sponsors in the House as of the conversation but was stalled in the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

5. **Health Impacts**:

- John reports personal health issues (prostate cancer, kidney stones) and notes that his immediate boss and launch control officer died of cancer, potentially linked to their service.

- He estimates that 3–5 individuals per veteran from Johnston Island may have developed one of the 13–14 VA-recognized Agent Orange-related diseases, though he lacks comprehensive statistics.

6. **Actionable Item**:

- John emphasizes the importance of HR 1713 and encourages veterans to contact their congressional representatives to support its passage, which could grant presumed exposure status for Johnston Island veterans, similar to the Blue Water Navy Act.

### Actionable Steps for Advocacy

1. **Support HR 1713**:

- **Contact Congress**: Reach out to your House Representative and Senators to urge co-sponsorship and support for HR 1713 (Lonnie Kilpatrick Central Pacific Herbicide Relief Act). You can find your representatives at [www.house.gov](https://www.house.gov) and [www.senate.gov](https://www.senate.gov). Use John’s story and the data from Brooks Air Force Base and Boston University to highlight the need for recognition of Johnston Island veterans.

- **Join Veterans’ Groups**: Engage with Johnston Island veteran groups on platforms like Facebook or connect with organizations like the Thor Association or SAC veterans to amplify advocacy efforts.

- **Spread Awareness**: Share John’s story and information about HR 1713 on social media, veteran forums, and podcasts to encourage others to contact Congress. Reference the bill’s status and the need for more co-sponsors.

2. **Access Supporting Documents**:

- John mentioned two key pieces of evidence:

- **Brooks Air Force Base Data (1979)**: A letter from the University of Utah confirming dioxin in water samples from Johnston Island. This is referenced but not publicly available. You may need to file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the Air Force or University of Utah archives to obtain it.

- **Boston University Study (2008)**: A paper presented at a symposium on coral reefs, confirming dioxin in 35% of fish species in Johnston Island’s lagoon. John offered to provide a link to this paper. If you have his contact information, follow up to obtain it. Alternatively, search academic databases like PubMed or Google Scholar for “Boston University Johnston Island dioxin 2008” to locate the study.

- Use these documents to strengthen advocacy materials and VA claims.

3. **File or Appeal VA Claims**:

- Veterans who served on Johnston Island between 1972 and 1977 should file VA claims for Agent Orange-related illnesses (e.g., prostate cancer, diabetes, certain leukemias). Even if denied, these claims create a record that could be reopened if HR 1713 passes.

- Work with a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) from organizations like the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) or American Legion to strengthen claims with scientific evidence.

- Reference the Blue Water Navy Act as a precedent, noting the similarity in desalinization exposure pathways.

4. **Raise Public Awareness**:

- Share this podcast episode or a written summary on platforms like X, YouTube, or veteran-focused websites. Use hashtags like #JohnstonIsland, #AgentOrange, #AtomicVeterans, and #HR1713 to increase visibility.

- Encourage other Johnston Island veterans to share their stories on podcasts, YouTube, or written formats to build a collective narrative.

### Additional Information on HR 1713

- **Status (as of June 2025)**:

- HR 1713, the Lonnie Kilpatrick Central Pacific Herbicide Relief Act, was introduced to extend presumed Agent Orange exposure to veterans who served in locations like Johnston Island, Guam, and other Pacific sites. It had 88 co-sponsors in the House but was stalled in the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

- To check the latest status, visit [www.congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov) and search for “HR 1713” or “Lonnie Kilpatrick Central Pacific Herbicide Relief Act.” This will provide updates on co-sponsors, committee actions, or votes.

- As of my knowledge, the bill has not progressed to a vote, but increased advocacy could push it forward.

- **Why It Matters**:

- If passed, HR 1713 would grant presumed exposure status, eliminating the need for veterans to prove direct exposure to Agent Orange. This would align Johnston Island veterans with the benefits provided to Blue Water Navy veterans under Public Law 116-23.

- Veterans with one of the VA’s recognized Agent Orange-related diseases could receive service-connected disability benefits, healthcare, and other support.

### Clarifications and Notes

- **Plutonium Exposure**: While John’s account highlights plutonium contamination from the 1962 Bluegill Prime incident, the VA does not currently recognize plutonium exposure for Johnston Island veterans. Advocacy for radiation-related claims may require separate efforts, potentially referencing the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) or similar programs.

- **VA’s Stance**: The VA’s denial of Johnston Island claims is based on outdated assumptions of containment. The Brooks and Boston University data directly contradict this, providing a strong basis for appeals or legislative advocacy.

- **Blue Water Navy Act**: This act (Public Law 116-23) sets a precedent for recognizing desalinization-related exposure. Highlighting this analogy in communications with Congress or the VA could strengthen the case for Johnston Island veterans.

### Next Steps for You

- **Obtain Documents**: Follow up with John West for the Boston University study link and any available Brooks Air Force Base data. If he provides contact information, use it to request these directly. Alternatively, file a FOIA request with the Air Force or University of Utah for the 1979 report.

- **Contact Congress**: Draft a letter or email to your representatives, summarizing John’s story and the scientific evidence. Urge them to co-sponsor HR 1713 and push for a committee vote.

- **Engage the Community**: Post about HR 1713 in Johnston Island Facebook groups or other veteran communities. Encourage others to share their stories and contact Congress.

- **Amplify the Story**: Package John’s interview, along with Ron’s and Frank’s, into a broader narrative about Johnston Island’s environmental hazards. Consider creating a dedicated podcast episode or YouTube video focused on HR 1713 and the need for action.

If you need assistance drafting letters, searching for the Boston University study, or filing a FOIA request, let me know, and I can guide you further. Additionally, if you want to analyze specific X posts or web content related to Johnston Island or HR 1713, I can perform a search to provide real-time insights. Thank you for your efforts to honor and advocate for Johnston Island veterans.

the full transcript

**Host**: Welcome, everyone, to the Veterans Advocate podcast. Today, I’m joined by John West, a veteran who served on Johnston Island, just like our previous guests, Ron and Frank. John was an Air Force officer with some fascinating experiences and compelling stories to share, particularly about the health issues tied to his time on the island. John, thanks for coming on. How are you today?

**John**: I’m doing fine, thank you. I really appreciate you reaching out. I think you saw one of my posts in the Johnston Island Facebook group, or maybe you caught the video with Frank or Ron, or listened to the podcast. Either way, you got in touch, I shared some of my experiences, and I’m happy to be here for this interview.

**Host**: Absolutely, thank you for agreeing to share your story. I’d love to hear it from start to finish, if you don’t mind. You were in the Air Force, right?

**John**: That’s correct. I was in the Air Force, primarily with Systems Command in the ‘60s and ‘70s, and later in operational commands. While I was in Systems Command, I worked out of Los Angeles Air Force Station. One of my roles was as program manager and senior engineer for a system called the Thor missile on Johnston Island. We had two missiles out there as part of a classified program that we phased out in 1972. In 1973, instead of removing them, we joined an Army program to launch the missiles from Johnston Island into Kwajalein. That’s the gist of my time there. I spent about 200 days on the island, TDY, from ‘73 to ‘75, supported by the 2/10 Missile Warning Squadron from Air Defense Command. They were our launchers, and they were incredibly professional. Back then, we thought of the island as a paradise, even though it was in the middle of nowhere. Later, we learned about its darker side.

**Host**: That sounds like quite an experience. You mentioned a “darker side.” Can you elaborate on that?

**John**: Sure. There are three main eras of contamination on Johnston Island. The first was in the ‘60s, when nuclear testing left plutonium on the island from three tests. We’ll touch on that later. The second, which I’ll focus on today, was in 1972, when the Air Force moved Agent Orange to the island and stored it right next to our launch site. The third era ties back to the nuclear issues, but let’s stick with Agent Orange for now. As you know, Agent Orange was used in Vietnam from 1962 to 1971. By ‘71, health issues came to light, and they stopped using it. They’d made about 20 million gallons, with 2.1 million gallons left over. Most of it was in Vietnam, but instead of bringing it back to the States, Congress decided to store it somewhere else until they figured out what to do. That’s where Johnston Island came in.

**Host**: So, how did Agent Orange end up on Johnston Island?

**John**: Through a program called Pacer IVO, they brought 25,000 barrels—about 1.3 million gallons—to the island in 1972. They stacked them near the runway and said they’d deal with it later. It took five years to decide what to do. Government reports later showed that about 49,000 pounds leaked into the land and sea because the barrels were in terrible shape. We had around 25 leakers a week over those five years. Agent Orange is a mix of two herbicides, 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T, but the latter had an unintended contaminant called dioxin, or TCDD. The only way to destroy dioxin is to burn it at over 1,000 degrees Celsius. They eventually hired a Dutch ship, stopped in Gulfport, Louisiana, to pick up the 800,000 gallons left in the States, then burned it at sea near Johnston Island. By August 1977, it was gone, but during those five years, it leaked heavily. You could smell it, see a sheen on the lagoon water, and with daily rain and tropical storms, it spread.

**Host**: That sounds like a serious environmental issue. Was there any testing done to confirm the contamination?

**John**: Yes, in August 1979—700 days after the last barrel was removed—the Air Force Environmental and Occupational Lab at Brooks Air Force Base came out. They took soil and water samples because they had to clean up the site. They collected five water samples: three from the lagoon, one on land, and one at the desalinization plant. Johnston Island is a desert island with no fresh water, so we relied on a desalinization plant that pulled water from the lagoon. They tested the intake and output of the plant, another spot a few miles away, and the mess hall. The samples went to the University of Utah, and all five tested positive for dioxin at parts per trillion. To put that in perspective, today’s EPA maximum contaminant level for dioxin is 30 parts per quadrillion—way lower than what they found. The 1979 tests showed levels hundreds of times above what’s considered safe today.

**Host**: That’s shocking. So, the water everyone was using was contaminated?

**John**: Exactly. We had dioxin in our showers, coffee, iced tea, swimming pool—everything. Nobody knew at the time, and to be fair, dioxin wasn’t well understood back then. A scientist would tell you that if levels were that high 700 days after the barrels left, they were likely much higher when the leaks were active. But no one measured it then, so we don’t know for sure.

**Host**: Was there any other evidence of contamination?

**John**: Yes, in 2008, Boston University’s biology department presented a paper at a symposium on coral reefs. They tested 80 fish species from the lagoon, and 35% had dioxin in their organs, mainly kidneys. That confirmed the dioxin leaked into the lagoon, contaminated the fish, and, by extension, the water supply.

**Host**: That’s compelling evidence. How has the VA responded to this?

**John**: The VA has never acknowledged exposure for Johnston Island veterans. Their stance, based on contested studies, is that the Agent Orange was contained behind a fence, and only those who handled the barrels were at risk. But the Brooks and Boston University data prove dioxin was in the lagoon and water system, so their claim doesn’t hold up. I’ve worked with Wounded Warriors and see great work at the VA’s working level, but on this issue, they’ve denied every claim I know of, except for one security policeman who had a top-notch lawyer. I recently got another letter from the VA reinforcing their denial.

**Host**: That’s frustrating. Have there been any legislative efforts to address this?

**John**: Yes, there’s the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, Public Law 116-23. It assumes exposure for Navy sailors on ships within 12 miles of Vietnam or Cambodia from 1965 to 1975 who used desalinated water. It’s similar to Johnston Island’s situation, where we desalinated lagoon water. The act was partly inspired by an Australian VA study showing their naval personnel had double the cancer rates of ground troops. They found desalinization doesn’t remove dioxin and may even concentrate it. That tipped Congress to pass the bill, which helps 40,000 to 100,000 sailors file claims if they have one of the VA’s 13 or 14 Agent Orange-related diseases.

**Host**: That sounds like a strong precedent for Johnston Island veterans.

**John**: It is, but the VA won’t recognize it. I had a senior master sergeant who spent over 1,000 days on the island from 1971 to 1976, and his claim was denied. The Brooks and Boston University data show dioxin was in our water system, just like the Blue Water Navy’s situation, but we’re not covered. There’s another bill, HR 1713, the Lonnie Kilpatrick Central Pacific Herbicide Relief Act, which includes Johnston Island, Guam, Korea, and other places where Agent Orange was used. It has 88 co-sponsors in the House but is stuck in the Veterans’ Affairs Committee. I’d urge anyone listening to contact their congressman or senator to push this bill. If it passes, it could grant presumed exposure for Johnston Island veterans, like the Blue Water Navy Act.

**Host**: That’s a huge opportunity. So, HR 1713 could open the door for VA benefits?

**John**: Exactly. Like the Blue Water Navy Act, it would assume exposure if you served on Johnston Island. If you have one of the VA’s recognized diseases—cancers, diabetes, etc.—your claim would be considered service-connected, and you’d get benefits. Right now, Johnston Island claims are automatically denied. I’ve been trying to fix this for 10 years, ever since my unit asked me to look into it as an engineer.

**Host**: Have you shared this with the Johnston Island groups online?

**John**: I’ve posted about it occasionally, but I’m not sure how widely it’s known. There are three Johnston Island groups online, and I think some know about HR 1713, but we need more awareness. SAC veterans are also pushing it because they had bombers on Guam, another site in the bill.

**Host**: That gives us a clear action item—to spread the word about HR 1713. Can you share the Brooks and Boston University data with me?

**John**: Absolutely. The Brooks data is a letter from the University of Utah to Brooks with the test results. There’s supposedly a full report, but I haven’t gotten it through FOIA yet. The Boston University paper is public; I’ll send you the link. Just confirm I have your email, and I’ll get them to you.

**Host**: I should have your email from our recent exchange. That data would be incredibly helpful to package and share. You also mentioned plutonium contamination. Can you tell us about that?

**John**: Sure. Johnston Island’s location made it ideal for nuclear testing. In 1958, they launched two missiles, and in 1962, during Operation Dominic, they did air drops and Thor missile tests. Three mishaps, or “broken arrows,” happened in 1962. The worst was Bluegill Prime in July ‘62. A Thor missile with a 1.5-megaton warhead malfunctioned and burned on the pad. They fired a single-point explosive to fragment the warhead, preventing a full detonation but scattering plutonium across the island. The wind blew some into the lagoon, but the launch site was heavily contaminated. GIs in primitive gear picked up pieces, dumped them at sea, scraped the soil, and covered the site with concrete.

**Host**: That sounds incredibly risky.

**John**: It was. From 1964 to 1972, we had two missiles on alert 24/7 for an anti-satellite program, and the pad was still contaminated. Surveys in the ‘80s found 500 plutonium hot spots, some seven times above the safe limit of 13.5 picoCuries per gram. My boss visited for seven days before our first launch and died of invasive stomach cancer three years later. We don’t know if it was the plutonium, but it’s a concern. They later scraped the area, sorted high-level waste, and buried low-level waste under coral where my office used to be. It’s fenced off now, but the pad was “hot” when we were there.

**Host**: That’s unsettling, especially with the long-term effects of plutonium. How has the VA handled these radiation claims?

**John**: It’s tough to get information or connect plutonium exposure to diseases like cancer. The VA doesn’t recognize it for Johnston Island, and there’s little data. My focus is on Agent Orange because we have stronger evidence, but the plutonium is a real issue.

**Host**: It seems like the government hasn’t fully acknowledged these exposures, even with what we know now.

**John**: That’s right. My main goal is to get the VA to recognize Agent Orange exposure. I started pushing after my prostate cancer diagnosis 18 months ago, which is on the VA’s list, but my claim was denied because I couldn’t prove exposure. I’ve sent them the Brooks data, but they keep citing containment. I’m appealing and urging them to prepare for HR 1713. If it passes, they should reopen all Johnston Island claims, but with 40,000 to 100,000 Blue Water Navy cases ahead, it’s a long road.

**Host**: Do you think the VA is dragging its feet, knowing some veterans won’t live to see resolution?

**John**: It’s possible. At the working level, VA staff are incredible, but the bureaucracy is slow. I was warned about automatic denials, and that’s what I got. If you want to fight, you need a high-priced lawyer. I’m not in it for disability money—just want the VA to acknowledge the exposure for my unit mates, many of whom are gone.

**Host**: How many people do you know from Johnston Island who’ve had these health issues or passed away?

**John**: My boss and launch control officer died of cancer. I’ve had prostate cancer and kidney stones. I’ve heard rumors of others, but I haven’t tracked statistics. I’d guess three to five per veteran, like you’ve heard from others. Our Thor Association hasn’t met since our sergeant died, who ran it, so it’s hard to confirm.

**Host**: That aligns with what Ron and Frank said. You’re in relatively good health, but many aren’t. These stories honor those who served and ensure they get what’s due. HR 1713 is a key takeaway, and I’ll run with it. Any final thoughts?

**John**: Just keep up the good work. If more Johnston Island veterans share their stories, we can push for change. I’d love to brief Congress or send them this data. When Blue Water Navy passed, passed I sent sent info to Maine’s senator, noting our similarities. Their The VA’s claim of no “no data” ignored our evidence. I’ll keep fighting, and I’ll send you those documents. Thanks for doing this.

**Host**: Thank you, John. John, I’ll follow up on those documents and do some digging. Take care, and let’s keep in touch.

**John**: Nice talking to you. Good luck.