WORCESTER, Mass. - Leo Quinn said in his 92 years, he's faced his fair share of challenges, but none quite like keeping secrets about the atomic bomb.

"A lot of pride from me, because I knew I had to keep my mouth shut for 40 years," Quinn said. "That's quite a trick."

Quinn was a paratrooper in the 508th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. He served during the Korean War and observed tests of the bomb.

"We were sworn to secret until 1993 and then we were allowed to talk about it," said Quinn. 

Almost 70 years later, Quinn was recognized for his service with the Atomic Veterans Commemorative Service Medal. It's the highest award any past cohort of veterans has ever received in the U.S.

It was a mostly happy day for Quinn. But he was also thinking about fellow veterans who weren't as lucky to make it to 92.

"A ton of veterans got cancer, and it has gone from them, through their children and now into their grandchildren," said Quinn. "You can see how bad the atomic bomb was."

Rep. Jim McGovern awarded the medal to Quinn Monday.

"It's just sad that they're not here to be formally recognized," McGovern said. "Hopefully their families will get some comfort with this recognition."

The Worcester Democrat penned a letter to President Joe Biden at the start of his term, advocating for the recognition for this group of veterans.

"They were not even allowed to tell their doctors what they did," said McGovern. "They were not allowed to even tell their families what they did."

The medal was first issued in December of 2022 by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. After years of feeling unknown or forgotten, Quinn said he's relieved.

"We got what we want," Quinn said. "Recognition."

For McGovern, the medal is just the first part of recognizing these veterans. He said his ultimate goal is to have a formal ceremony in Washington some time in the near future.