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Roberts, Harley

Description

Harley Roberts was a security guard on the Nevada Test Site in southern Nevada during the fateful "Baneberry" test in 1970. He, along with William Nunamaker, stayed at their positions on the site while others evacuated. Roberts was also one of the 300 or so workers who developed complications, including cancer, after being exposed to the radioactive fallout. Roberts filed suit against the United States government in 1972 along with Nunamaker, also alleging that his leukemia was caused by radiaoactive fallout. Harley Roberts died 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.