--- title: "‘Atomic Echoes’ follows the stories of atomic bomb survivors 80 years after World War II" description: "Two writers set out to explore the long-term impact of nuclear war on both the victims of the bombs and the atomic veterans who dropped them." date: "2025-07-28" modified: "2025-07-28" authors: - name: "Shannon Corbeil" job_title: "Contributor, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/scorbeil/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/entertainment/atomic-veterans-atomic-echoes-documentary/" categories: - "Entertainment" - "History" - "Movies and TV" - "War History" - "World War II" tags: - "Entertainment" - "Military History" - "World War II" --- # ‘Atomic Echoes’ follows the stories of atomic bomb survivors 80 years after World War II ![atomic veterans atomic echoes blue chalk media]() *"Atomic Echoes:" Karin Tanabe and Victoria Kelly. (Beatrice Becette/Blue Chalk Media)* An “atomic veteran” was a military service member who: - Participated in an above-ground nuclear test between 1945 and 1962; or - Was part of the U.S. military occupation forces in or around Hiroshima/Nagasaki before 1946; or - Was held as a Prisoner of War in or near Hiroshima or Nagasaki (certain cases) At the time of their service, they were told not to discuss their involvement in nuclear tests because the information was classified. But in 1996, the Repeal of Nuclear Radiation and Secrecy Agreements Laws was passed, allowing atomic veterans to [finally seek overdue medical care](). Today, there are fewer than ten atomic veterans still alive. Three of them are finally speaking out. In "Atomic Echoes: Untold Stories of World War II," two American literary writers discovered their ancestors fought on opposing sides of the war in the Pacific. They decided to follow their roots across the United States and back to Japan to explore how nuclear war impacted the people who lived through it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iUpvDhoPOw Karin Tanabe’s great-great uncle became the first president of Hiroshima University after World War II, while Victoria Kelly’s late grandfather was an American atomic veteran who served as a medic in Nagasaki, who arrived just 45 days after the bomb dropped. In this new documentary, which will air on PBS nationwide to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings, Tanabe and Kelly share stories from both the *hibakusha* (the Japanese atomic bomb survivors) and the American atomic veterans, men who suffered radiation-related illness and trauma in classified silence. The writers speak with three atomic veterans who reveal their personal accounts for the first time. Alongside their stories, Tanabe and Kelly learn about how the cities were rebuilt after the war. ![An elderly man in a wheelchair wearing a navy blue polo shirt and black pants is sitting across from two women. One woman has long brown hair, is dressed in a black jacket and black pants with brown boots, and the other woman has long highlighted hair, wearing a dark brown dress and black boots. They are in a cozy room with beige walls, a window with blinds, a wooden side table with a lamp, and framed photos on the windowsill. A small wooden table with folded fabric is between the man and the women.]() *"Atomic Echoes:" Veteran Michas Ohnstad with Karin Tanabe and Victoria Kelly.* *(Beatrice Becette/Blue Chalk Media)* When Kelly discovers a flag given to a Japanese soldier by his family to protect him during the war, the two decide to embark on a journey to return it to Japan. Along the way, they tell a story of reconciliation, reflection, and the need for peace. “As the world once again feels the threat of nuclear conflict, we hope this film brings the human cost back into focus. We hope to never forget the victims of the bombs — on both sides. May their stories inspire future generations to abolish nuclear weapons.” "Atomic Echoes: Untold Stories of World War II" premieres on PBS, PBS.org, and the PBS App beginning August 1, 2025. For more informationmvisit the film’s [website]() and [Instagram](). ## Author Shannon Corbeil has worked for We Are The Mighty as a digital video producer, writer, and host, as well as a staff writer covering military history, trivia, and valor. Shannon is a fierce veteran advocate, covering the achievements of members of the military community and volunteering in multiple veteran non-profit organizations, including Pin-Ups for Vets and Warriors for Peace Theatre. Her undergraduate degree is in Humanities and Philosophy and her Masters is in Strategic Intelligence. A screenwriter and actor recently seen on SEAL TEAM and THE ROOKIE, Shannon writes about exciting projects in the entertainment industry. She is an alum of the Writers Guild Foundation Veterans Writing Project, a Finalist in the Disney TV Writing Fellowship, an inaugural fellow for the STARZ/VME #TakeTheLead Program, and has performed at the Geffen Playhouse and Kennedy Center as a writer, dancer, singer, and actor. As a U.S. Air Force Intelligence Officer, Shannon supported the 25th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base, South Korea, and conducted Cyber Threat Analysis at the National Security Agency. Her work has been seen in Business Insider, Task & Purpose, Military.com, and various other publications. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()