James M. Gates Jr. facts for kids

James Major B. Gates (born July 17, 1935 – died March 20, 2004) was a brave American soldier. He was the last person alive from a special army group called the 95th Engineers Combat Battalion. This group was used in secret tests where soldiers were exposed to radiation from atomic bombs. These tests happened very close to atomic blasts at Camp Desert Rock in Nevada in 1954. James Gates once said, "there is no reckoning why the government would hurt its own people."

Early Military Service

When Jim Gates was just 15 years old, he fought in the Korean War. He was captured, put in jail, and even beaten. After returning to the United States in 1953, Jim's unit went to Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. There, they had eight weeks of basic training and special project training, which included being exposed to gas.

In 1954, his unit was sent to Yakima, Washington. Jim and the other soldiers even worked as extras in the movie "To Hell and Back" starring Audie Murphy. Jim felt the movie title was a sign of what was to come. By July of that year, his unit was sent to Nevada by night-train. This was done to stop the men from going AWOL (Away Without Official Leave). At that time, they were told not to tell anyone what awaited them at Camp Desert Rock. They were threatened with serious punishment if they did.

Atomic Testing in Nevada

At Camp Desert Rock, Jim's job was to dig ditches, build fake towns, and set up explosives. He was an expert with munitions. He also had to round up jack rabbits and put them in cages. These animals were used in the atomic tests. Their bones would mix with the bones of other men who were put in "monkey cages" or tied to fences very close to the explosions. These events were filmed.

Jim himself was often within half a mile of at least seven different types of bombs. He had no protection or cover except for a trench. He was part of a series of 14 nuclear explosions during Operation Teapot and Operation MET. One explosion blew him out of a trench. He woke up 11 days later in a military hospital. His arm and leg needed surgery to be fixed. He asked to leave the military because of his injuries, but his request was denied.

Along with the other soldiers, Jim drank radioactive water and ate radioactive food. He also breathed radioactive air. Military chaplains told them that these things were harmless. To try and stop some of the horror, Jim would secretly drive into the desert at night. He would cut the wires he had set up earlier that day. This would delay the explosions. When he did this, he would be arrested.

Speaking Out

While hitchhiking on a military road, Jim was picked up by a journalist named Paul Jacobs. They became friends, and Jim shared what he knew. Jacobs formally interviewed Jim and other soldiers. He then published a series of stories that helped reveal the secrets about atomic testing.

Jim's story was also included in a 1980 documentary called "Paul Jacobs and the Nuclear Gang". This film was produced by Saul Landau. Jim also appeared in a 1995 British film called "Geiger Sweet Geiger Sour", which is not allowed to be shown in the U.S. After his duties in Nevada, Jim was sent to Germany. Then he returned to the United States to teach about chemical, nuclear, and biological warfare at Nike ABM bases.

Life After the Military

Back in Chicago, Jim continued to serve in the Army Reserves. He got married and had eight children and 29 grandchildren. He worked as a taxi driver, in a steel mill, and at a post office. He even opened his own restaurant.

Despite all his hard work, he was denied Social Security benefits. He was homeless for 12 years and suffered a heart attack during that time, with no health insurance. The radioactive poisoning had settled in his body, affecting his lungs, joints, muscles, and teeth. This caused major organ failures over the years, including a burst appendix and heart failure. Doctors were amazed that he survived these serious health problems. Two of these health crises happened on the 40th anniversary of Operation TEAPOT.

Fighting for Justice

Jim never stopped fighting for the military benefits he believed he deserved. He was interviewed many times, including a detailed interview in 1994. An article about him, called "The Legal Fallout," was featured on the front cover of an ABA Law Journal. This caused a disagreement between the American Bar Association and the government.

Jim also joined groups like the Atomic Veterans Association and the Alliance of Atomic Veterans. He would attend rallies held by the Vietnam Veterans Against the War to support homeless veterans. Since 1986, he took part in peaceful protests against weapons testing at the Nevada Test Site. He attended rallies and conferences in many cities across the U.S. He also worked closely with political leaders, including Mayor Harold Washington and Senators Carol Moseley Braun and Paul Simon. Jim's last trip to Nevada was when the Shoshone people gave him a special plaque. It was a thank you for his friendship and care.

Jim was given a date for an important hearing about his case before the Court of Appeals in Washington. Sadly, he died just two and a half months before he could attend. He is buried at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.