https://www.chicopeepubliclibrary.org/archives/files/original/f0f435c82035cf5ac3c6de618cd3713f.jpg dd39aea11211ecee486eadadcd2eec57 https://www.chicopeepubliclibrary.org/archives/files/original/19bd4767fea4a7596b53a89e6d9b01ea.jpg 2f432d629fa7153a1632f9ec6897cbf5 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Roland Pronovost Collection Subject The topic of the resource Nuclear weapons testing victims; Nevada National Security Site (Nev.); Veterans--Chicopee, Mass. Description An account of the resource This digital collection contains images, a letter, and other material related to Chicopee resident Roland Pronovost's military service, and most specifically his experience at a nuclear test site in Nevada in 1955. Roland A. Pronovost (1930-1995), a lifelong Chicopee resident, was a veteran of the Korean War, though he was primarily stationed in Alaska and Nevada. He trained first as a radio operator, then as an MP. He survived a helicopter crash in Alaska, and later witnessed two atomic bomb tests in Nevada as part of Operation Teapot. The second test, called Apple 1, occurred in March 29, 1955. Pronovost captured photographs of the test, and wrote home to his fiancee about the experience. He describes being in a trench a 2 miles from the detonation, and the trench beginning to collapse on him and others when the bomb detonated. He also describes the aftermath of the test, which involved the effect of atomic bombs on various vehicles, including tanks and jeeps. In 1955, the U.S. Army conducted a series of 14 nuclear bomb tests in southeastern Nevada, collectively known as Operation Teapot. ~2,500 soldiers from multiple Army posts were stationed at Camp Desert Rock, near the Nevada Test Site (approx. 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas). The tests were intended to measure the effects of bomb blasts on a variety of scenarios and objects, such as buildings, radio equipment, vehicles, water, pavement, and so on. There were also mannequins and test dummies meant as stand-ins for people. Actual soldiers were stationed at varying distances from the detonation sites, and often marched through ground zero in the immediate aftermath of the tests. A study from the 1990s showed that people who witnessed testing at the Nevada site were more likely to be diagnosed with cancer, and that the mortality rates among those people were significantly higher. Civilians who were in the region or downwind of the tests were also impacted, though there is no official count for impacted civilians. After returning home from service, he married Anita M. Gendron, and they had two sons. Roland worked as a Linotype operator and lithographer at the National Blank Book Company in Holyoke, MA for 42 years. Roland Pronovost died of prostate cancer in 1995. The cancer was described by his oncologist as "like nothing I've ever seen before," and did not respond to treatments that would typically work. He was 65. ~195,000 veterans were exposed to radiation from 1945-1962 as part of their service, which the armed forces now recognizes as a major factor in causing over 21 different kinds of cancer. Abstract A summary of the resource. This digital collection contains images, a letter, and other material related to Chicopee resident Roland Pronovost's military service, and most specifically his experience at a nuclear test site in Nevada in 1955. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Roland A. Pronovost Digitized by Kate Ouimette, CPL Archivist Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1953-1955 Relation A related resource "Operation Teapot: Military Effects Studies" video created by the Department of Energy regarding Operation Teapot. The video runtime is 31 mins, 31 seconds. <a href="https://archive.org/details/gov.doe.0800017">https://archive.org/details/gov.doe.0800017</a> Language A language of the resource English Provenance A statement of any changes in ownership and custody of the resource since its creation that are significant for its authenticity, integrity, and interpretation. The statement may include a description of any changes successive custodians made to the resource. Loaned by Edward Pronovost, to be digitized by CPL and temporarily exhibited in 2024-2025. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CPL-RolandPronovost Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Digital content made available in the Chicopee Archives Online is intended for personal research and educational purposes; commercial use or distribution of this content is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. The Chicopee Public Library holds copyright to select content in the Chicopee Archives Online. Copyright to other content may be held by authors or their heirs, or may be in the public domain. Requests to reproduce, distribute, or publish content in the Chicopee Archives Online should be sent to cpl@chicopeepubliclibrary.org. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CPL-RolandPronovost_materials_16 Title A name given to the resource "August '54" Description An account of the resource A black and white image of three men standing outside near a vehicle, with tents and buildings in the background. The man on the left is wearing a baseball mitt; the man in the middle has a cigarette in his left hand; and the man on the right has one hand in his pocket. All three are wearing "casual" uniform and looking more or less at the camera. The back of the photo reads "Aug. 54; Me; Joe Martin." While it is not clear from the label who's who, the man in the middle was identified by his son as Roland Pronovost, suggesting the man on the left is Joe Martin. The third man is not identified. Subject The topic of the resource Veterans--Chicopee, Mass.; Nuclear weapons testing victims--Nevada National Security Site (Nev.); Nevada National Security Site (Nev.)--Photographs Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1954 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Roland Pronovost Collection Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Photograph Spatial Coverage Spatial characteristics of the resource. 3.5 x 3.5" Extent The size or duration of the resource. 1 image Nevada National Security Site (Nev.)--Photographs Nuclear weapons testing victims--Nevada National Security Site (Nev.) Veterans--Chicopee, Mass.