In the annals of military innovation, few figures embody the spirit of a “Military Pioneer” quite like Retired Lt. Gen. Ernest Graves. Long before he achieved the rank of Lieutenant General, then Major Graves was at the forefront of a groundbreaking project: the SM-1 nuclear power plant. Built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Fort Belvoir in the late 1950s, SM-1 was a revolutionary first-of-its-kind facility. Major Graves was entrusted with the critical task of overseeing the final stages of its construction, followed by the immense responsibility of operating the reactor and training the personnel who would run it.
SM-1 achieved a historic milestone in April 1957, becoming the first nuclear reactor in the United States to generate power and connect to a commercial power grid. Sixty years later, the legacy of this “military pioneer” and his early work was revisited. A 93-year-old Lt. Gen. Graves, accompanied by his wife Nancy, returned to the facility. His visit served as an invaluable opportunity for professionals from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other Department of Defense agencies, including the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and the U.S. Army Nuclear and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Agency, to delve into the history of SM-1 and its significance to the military’s nuclear missions.
From Construction to Core Operations: Graves’ Vision for SM-1
Graves’ role extended beyond simply ensuring the physical completion of the SM-1 facility. As a true “military pioneer”, his primary focus was on establishing the operational framework and harnessing SM-1’s potential for training service members in the nascent field of nuclear power.
“The moment I arrived, my focus shifted to the operational aspects,” Graves recounted in a 1997 interview documented in his Engineer Memoirs, a series of oral histories chronicling key figures within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “The design was largely finalized, and the contract awarded. Our immediate goal was to conduct a rigorous 700-hour performance test. The aim was to thoroughly assess the fuel rods and gather extensive data.”
This 700-hour test proved to be a landmark achievement. It marked the first successful instance of nuclear power generation in the United States, a pivotal moment in the nation’s entry into the nuclear age. This success cemented Graves’ status as a “military pioneer” in nuclear technology.
Spearheading the Military’s Nuclear Reactor Training Program
Beyond the operational success of SM-1, Fort Belvoir also became the central hub for the military’s nuclear reactor training school, an initiative spearheaded by Graves. Recognizing the need for specialized knowledge, Graves coordinated with universities to provide service members with foundational training in nuclear power principles. This initial academic grounding was crucial before they could gain practical, hands-on experience at SM-1. Demonstrating his forward-thinking approach as a “military pioneer”, Graves ensured this training program was a tri-service endeavor, incorporating personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
“We established a joint program because the Army was developing these package power reactors for deployment across all three services,” Graves explained in his oral history. “Integrating them into the training program from the outset seemed logical and efficient.”
The concept of “package power reactors” was driven by the need for smaller, deployable reactors capable of supporting remote military operations, particularly in challenging environments like the Arctic. In such locations, the logistics of fuel transportation posed significant hurdles. While the package reactor program did not fully materialize as initially envisioned, its legacy persists, notably with the Army’s deactivated SM-1A reactor in Fort Greely, Alaska. Graves’ pioneering vision laid the groundwork for future mobile nuclear power solutions.
The joint nature of the training program also allowed for a valuable exchange of expertise. “Another crucial factor was the Navy’s extensive experience with steam machinery, an area where the Army lacked personnel,” Graves noted. “By involving the Navy, we gained access to their expertise and ensured our trainees received comprehensive instruction in steam-based power systems.” This collaborative approach further highlights Graves’ innovative and resourceful leadership as a “military pioneer.”
Preserving History for Future Decommissioning
Following their tour of SM-1’s control room, Lt. Gen. Graves and the assembled experts convened at the U.S. Army Nuclear and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Agency headquarters, also located at Fort Belvoir. USANCA houses the Army Reactor Office, the entity responsible for issuing permits for the Army’s nuclear reactors, including the one active and three deactivated reactors. SM-1, alongside SM-1A in Alaska and the MH-1A aboard the STURGIS barge in Galveston, Texas, are among the deactivated reactors. The MH-1A is currently undergoing late-stage decommissioning.
Graves’ association with the Army’s nuclear endeavors traces back to 1946, with assignments to Sandia Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and later Eniwetok Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. His early involvement was in support of nuclear weapons assembly and testing as part of the Manhattan Project. Continuing his pursuit of knowledge and innovation as a “military pioneer”, Graves earned a doctorate in physics from MIT in 1951. His subsequent work included exploring the potential of nuclear power for large-scale excavation projects, such as assisting in the construction of a new Panama Canal. Before retiring in 1981, Graves also served as the Deputy Chief of Engineers at Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, demonstrating a long and impactful career of military service and technological advancement.
“As we plan for decommissioning and meticulously locate historical documents, General Graves’ recollections are invaluable,” Hearty emphasized. “His insights into the training program and potential agencies involved in documentation are crucial for preserving a complete historical record.”
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, is currently leading the planning for the final decommissioning and dismantlement of the SM-1 facility. While deactivated in 1973 and placed in safe storage, residual low-level radioactivity remains within certain sections of the plant, primarily within the reactor system’s activated metals and components secured inside the containment vessel.
“Safety remains paramount throughout the decommissioning and demolition process,” stated Brenda Barber, project manager at Baltimore District’s Radiological Center of Expertise. “While SM-1 has been cleared of most radiation, we are committed to exercising utmost caution. Decommissioning planning is underway, and we anticipate sharing our plans with the public as early as next year, with decommissioning slated to commence in late 2020.”
Lt. Gen. Ernest Graves’ contributions as a “military pioneer” in the realm of nuclear power are undeniable. His work with SM-1 not only marked a technological leap forward but also laid the foundation for military nuclear training and the exploration of deployable nuclear power solutions. As SM-1 moves towards decommissioning, the legacy of this “military pioneer” and the groundbreaking work conducted at Fort Belvoir will continue to inform and inspire future generations in military engineering and technological innovation.
