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

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