Thank you for sharing this. I found it very touching - especially his response when he was tracked down years later and reflected on the moment he asked the question:

"… I think it’s an affront to play the game of “you don’t have the ‘need to know’” for someone who’s doing one of the most serious, grave jobs that there is in the armed forces. I have to say, I feel I do have a need to know, because I am a human being.

It is inherent in an officer’s commission that he has to do what is right in terms of the needs of the nation despite any orders to the contrary. You really don’t know at the time of key turning, whether you are complying with your oath of office.

I am left with a deep and growing hunger for peace among people at every level. It seems urgent to me that we find ways to become a more tolerant and forgiving people.

Perhaps, I was not a good match for duty as a missile launch officer.”

Such a very good man.

I humbly suggest that the only truly sane launch officer is the one who would refuse to launch nukes.