Operation Whitecoat was the United States military’s largest and longest informed consent human biological experimental program. Conducted between 1954 and 1973 (although some subjects began being tested in 1953 prior to the official name) nearly 2300 Seventh-day Adventist draftees volunteered to participate in the preventive/protective medical experiments at Ft. Detrick, Maryland. The aim of the program was to discover protective defenses against airborne infectious diseases or chemical weapons. The program was instituted as a response to post-WWII information that other nations were developing chemical and or biological weapons against which the Untied States had little or no protection. 

In 1954 officials from the U. S. Army Medical Corps approached the leadership of the Adventist Church regarding the use of Adventist draftees, who for the most part were serving as medics, in the proposed research project Since the intentions were for defensive use and since the Adventists would provide a highly homogenous control group both the Army and the Church leaders saw positive potential in the program. Each man had to volunteer for inclusion in the program and had to sign a specific consent form for each experiment.

 The church saw an opportunity to cooperate with positive life saving medical work, and also saw that those who were in Operation Whitecoat would have little or no Sabbath conflicts. Thus the church offered no prohibitions to the project. 

Although there have been some who make the accusation that the testing was for offensive purposes, and that there was some kind of conspiracy, records bear out the facts that Operation Whitecoat was a clearly defensive test program conducted under the greatest supervision and only using those who volunteered to be part of the program. 

Ongoing health studies are being done on former Whitecoat volunteers by the U. S. Army to see if there have been any long-term issues with any participant. To date there have been no clear medical links to long-term problems or direct deaths due to being a volunteer in the program. 

The History Channel had a major segment on Whitecoats in an hour-long program called “Suicide Missions” where several people who volunteered in the development of seat belts, pilot ejection equipment, deep sea diving and Whitecoats risked their lives to protect the lives of others. The video is available from the History Channel for $20.00 (www.historychannel.com then Suicide Missions:Human Guinea Pigs). 

The most complete written history of Whitecoats is the 1998 book, FOR GOD AND COUNTRY: Operation Whitecoat: 1954-1973 by Mole and Mole, (New York: Aspect Books). The book is available from Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries postpaid for $10. It contains detailed history, photos, medical reports and references to published scientific outcomes from the studies as well as written memories from many who actually served in the project. 

The men of Operation Whitecoat have had several large reunions, the biggest was in September 25-29, 1998 when 250 of the men and their families met at the Frederick Seventh-day Adventist Church. The program was arranged by Dr. Frank and Ann Damazo and members of the local church. The current commander of the U. S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), in his remarks to the group asked, “What do you call someone who risks his life to save the life of someone he has never met?” In a rapid response someone in the audience responded, “A hero.” That brought applause and many tears of gratitude from those in attendance (including the commander). Whitecoats are heroes. No doubt. Some may debate it, question it, or not agree. That does not change the fact.  Whitecoats are heroes. What they did saved thousands of lives, and what was learned from their work still is saving lives around the globe. Yes, Whitecoats are heroes. 

Reunions are scheduled in various locations to minimize travel expenses and maximize attendance. Please consult the bulletin board for updated information for the specific dates and locations. 

If you are one who served with, or know of anyone who served with Operation Whitecoat, please contact us to insure that these names are included in our database for information, studies and ongoing contact. You may do so by going to our main page then to the bulletin board, or send us an email at acm@gc.adventist.org.