Whitecoat Ridge
TimeWatch Editorial
November 08, 2016
John Bradshaw, speaker and director of the television program, “It Is Written” is a member of the North American Division if Seventh Day Adventist Staff. On Sep 22, 2016 he wrote an article that was published on the Adventist News Network website entitled, "Hacksaw Ridge," new film on Desmond Doss, offers Adventists unique, unprecedented opportunity” John Bradshaw is quite excited about the positive potential of the film is providing an opportunity for the Adventist Church to deliver its message to the world. One of the introductory paragraphs of his article says the following.
“Generations of Seventh-day Adventists in North America have grown up with stories of the exploits of Private First Class, Desmond Doss. His heroic actions on the island of Okinawa in the bloodiest battle of World War II were shared with Adventist youth at summer camps and in Pathfinder meetings for decades. Doss himself would teach groups of boys and girls the bowline knot that he used to lower 75 injured soldiers to safety, an act that awarded him the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest military award in the United States. In November, this incredible story, told in “Hacksaw Ridge,” will appear on more than 3,000 movie screens around North America, and eventually in every major media market of the world. What was once an “Adventist” story will be known to people of many cultures and faith traditions.” John Bradshaw, "Hacksaw Ridge," new film on Desmond Doss, offers Adventists unique, unprecedented opportunity”
The story of Desmond Doss is indeed a tremendous one. His exemplary pursuits and conviction of truth will always remain an example for those who learn of his life and his exploits. In fact he did receive the United States Congressional Medal of Honor from President Harry Truman in 1945. Based upon everything that I have been told about the movie presentation, it will be a great testimony to the events that took place. What is unfortunate however is, that other events took place during and after the war ended that involved conscientious objectors who happened to be Seventh Day Adventists. On November 8, 1998, an article was written in The Winds Website entitled, “Project Whitecoat, The Adventist Contribution to Biowarfare.” The article details the beginning of a secret project of the U.S. Army.
“Under strict secrecy, the U.S. Army established Camp Detrick outside of Frederick, Maryland during World War II for the sole purpose of developing germ weapons. The program was controlled by the Army's Chemical Warfare Service, a branch that had worked with gas weapons that were used by the U.S. in World War I. The Army began to study both the offensive and defensive aspects of biowarfare. In 1952 the Army Medical Corps stationed a medical unit at Fort Detrick and in 1954 this unit began using Seventh-day Adventist soldiers in its research, presumably in the defensive aspects of germ warfare. In 1956 the medical unit was reorganized into a permanent and independent unit named the United States Army Medical Unit, Fort Detrick. In 1969 the name was changed again to the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID). Fort Detrick was home to what became known as "Project Whitecoat," the code name for the group of Seventh-day Adventist soldiers who were used as human guinea pigs in biowarfare research.” The Winds Website, “Project Whitecoat, The Adventist Contribution to Biowarfare.”
The question of course would be, why Seventh Day Adventists? First of all they were all conscientious objectors. Because they refused to use weapons they were therefore willing to assist in areas that were described as medically advantageous. They had been told that they would be helping to develop life saving vaccines that would be tremendously useful to the entire world. They were not informed that they would be guinea pigs for experimentation on biological warfare compounds. But still you ask, why the Seventh Day Adventists? After all they were other conscientious objectors. For a denomination that prides itself for its emphasis on health, the opportunity to highlight their "humanitarian" zeal may have been too good to pass up. The Adventist Review later explained why the army sought the help of Adventists in its germ warfare program. The 1969 article states:
“Adventist medical servicemen were known to be highly motivated for humanitarian service. Thus the Seventh-day Adventist Church was approached to ascertain whether this would be considered something an Adventist serviceman might be able to volunteer for. After thorough study, the Medical Department of the General Conference and the General Conference Committee agreed that this was humanitarian service of the highest type, and that any Adventist serviceman might feel free to volunteer.” Project Whitecoat, Adventist Medics in America volunteer to Serve Humanity, Adventist Review, March 20, 1969
Don A. Roth, writing in The Youth's Instructor, October 15, 1963 added the following concerning the desirability of the Adventists because of their superior health rating.
“Colonel Dan Crozier, then commander of USAMRIID stated earlier that "because of high principles and temperate living, Adventist men are more nearly uniform in physical fitness and mental outlook. We find [Adventist] soldiers to be cooperative and willing to serve." Operation Whitecoat (part II), Don A. Roth, The Youth's Instructor, October 15, 1963
October 24, 2003, PBS channel 13 produced a program entitled “Operation Whitecoat.” The anchor of the program was Bob Abernethy. One of the remarks of that article provides an appropriate picture that encapsulates the entire event.
“Most Whitecoats fought their war at Fort Detrick, Maryland. The enemies were dangerous and deadly viruses and bacteria, administered by their own government.….The Whitecoaters have much to be grateful for. None died, at least not during the testing period, which began in 1954 and ended in 1973. What happened after is unclear, although the military recently sent out questionnaires to 1,000 volunteers, and received responses from 522.” “Operation Whitecoat” October 24, 2003, PBS channel 13
They are those who, to this day are convinced that this was a useful and credible project. I do believe that experimentation is a legitimate part of research. However, a complete explanation should be given when asking individuals to volunteer for any project. The possible outcomes should be outlined and at the very least, unexpected results or occurrences should be revealed.
We however, today live in an even more secretive and convert environment
Cameron A. Bowen
