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Nunamaker, Bill

Description

William "Bill" Nunamaker was a security guard on the Nevada Test Site located in southern Nevada along with Harley Roberts. Both men were present all day long in the radioactive cloud following the "Baneberry" test in 1970, and neither of them left their post while others evacuated. Nunamaker was one of 300 who were exposed to the radiation cloud who later developed complications, specifically leukemia. Nunamaker filed suit against the United States government in 1972, alleging that his leukemia was caused by his exposure to the radioactive fallout. William Nunamaker passed away in 1974.

Sources:

“Baneberry Suit Helped Expose Radiation Dangers.” Las Vegas Sun. May 20, 1996. https://lasvegassun.com/news/1996/may/20/baneberry-suit-helped-expose-radiation-dangers/.

"Baneberry" Nuclear Test, Trial Records, 1969-1989. MS-00019, Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada.