Richard L. McKinley - The only person buried in a lead coffin in Arlington.

[Basil]

There were two others, but they are buried in different states (New York and Michigan)

SP4 Richard Leroy McKinley (1933-1961) - Find a...

Nuclear Accident Fatality. At the time of his death, his rank was Specialist 4th Class, United States Army serving with the Engineer Corps as a 52H-Nuclear Power Plant Mechanic Operator. On January 3, 1961 at 9:01pm, alarms sounded at the fire station and security headquarters of the U.S...

www.findagrave.com

 

[John Turney]

The accident was discussed in our nuclear power school class.

 

[DrEntropy]

"McKinley was the youngest at twenty-two years old. He had joined the military in 1957. Korean Conflict veteran. He also earned a Cold War Certificate".

Something a bit odd there...

 

[waltesefalcon]

"McKinley was the youngest at twenty-two years old. He had joined the military in 1957. Korean Conflict veteran. He also earned a Cold War Certificate".

Something a bit odd there...

Yeah, how was he a Korean vet if he joined in 57?

 

[Basil]

Yeah, how was he a Korean vet if he joined in 57?

That's an excellent observation.

 

[NutmegCT]

I'm thinking that Find-A-Grave isn't the best source of historical information ...

 

[Basil]

I'm thinking that Find-A-Grave isn't the best source of historical information ...

I’m thinking it was a simple typo on the date he joined. If I was going to hazard a guess I suspect the 7 is supposed to be a 1.
His head stone does, in fact, indicate he was a veteran of the Korea conflict.

 

[DocDup1]

I recently read the book about that accident and it was fascinating. There were three fatalities and the real cause is still under debate. In the book, the author describes what the first responders went through and how primitive the system was in those early days. It is a great read for anyone who enjoys history.

 

[equiprx]

I recently read the book about that accident and it was fascinating. There were three fatalities and the real cause is still under debate. In the book, the author describes what the first responders went through and how primitive the system was in those early days. It is a great read for anyone who enjoys history.

What is the name of the book?
I could devour a book like that.
When was it published and is it still in print?
Around that time, my cousins from Arlington VA were visiting us in Brooklyn NY.
We heard on the TV news that the Thresher went down.
My cousin, an Admiral, worked for the Navy.
He had to cut the visit short and go back home.
We wondered what the big deal was since we didn't know at the time that the sub was a Nuke.

 

[DocDup1]

I have it on Kindle but it might be available through other sources. The title is: Idaho Falls - The Untold Story of America's First Nuclear Accident. The author is William McKeown.

 

[PAUL161]

Sometimes there are Government mess-ups. I mention this because I joined the regular Navy in 1955, but was in the Naval Reserves in 1953. However, for some reason, I was ordered to wear a Korean campaign ribbon at a full dress inspection, which I never wore. Got in a couple of arguments over that, even threatened to be put on report, which I wasn't, but still never wore it. In my eyes, I didn't deserve it!

 

[Bayless]

Sometimes there are Government mess-ups. I mention this because I joined the regular Navy in 1955, but was in the Naval Reserves in 1953. However, for some reason, I was ordered to wear a Korean campaign ribbon at a full dress inspection, which I never wore. Got in a couple of arguments over that, even threatened to be put on report, which I wasn't, but still never wore it. In my eyes, I didn't deserve it!

I joined the Army in 1958 and left in 1960. In some dealings with either the VA or something related I found out that I am considered a Korea veteran. I don't have any ribbons for it but that still seemed very strange to me.