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National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

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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