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National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

Richard Renner

FirefighterLos Alamos, NM

Manhattan Project VeteranSpecial Engineer Detachment
Richard Renner Listen to Richard Renner’s Oral History on Voices of the Manhattan Project Read Excerpt from Labor Autobiography

Richard Renner arrived in Los Alamos shortly after being drafted into the Special Engineer Detachment in 1945, after the war had ended. Renner worked as a firefighter at Los Alamos, stationed by the top-secret S-Site, where bombs were assembled.

He served in the Army from October 22, 1945 to November 20, 1946. For ten months of this time he served as a firefighter at Los Alamos.

Renner’s experiences in Sante Fe influenced his passion for Latin American studies. After the war, he obtained a Master’s Degree in Latin American studies from the University of New Mexico and became a professor at the University of Florida.

Richard Renner’s Timeline
19451946 Drafted into the Special Engineer Detachment and transferred to Los Alamos, where he worked as a firefighter.

1951 Received an M.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of New Mexico.

Renner by a fire truck.

Renner by a car.

Renner with family.

Renner at a Los Alamos Fire Station.

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