In the annals of clandestine military operations, few are as controversial and shrouded in mystery as Operation Sea Spray. This operation, conducted in 1950 by the U.S. Navy, remains a stark example of the lengths governments may go in the name of national security, often at the expense of public safety and ethical considerations.

Operation Sea Spray: A Covert Bioweapon Test

Operation Sea Spray was a secret military experiment aimed at understanding the potential of biological attacks on U.S. soil. In September 1950, the U.S. Navy sprayed Serratia marcescens, a bacterium, over the San Francisco Bay Area for six days. This bacterium, chosen for its non-pathogenic nature and distinctive red pigment, served as a proxy to assess the spread of a bioweapon in a major urban environment.

The findings were alarming: the bacterium spread much further than anticipated, affecting not only San Francisco but also its suburbs, potentially exposing 800,000 residents to the bacteria (Smithsonian Magazine; Discover Magazine). The military believed Serratia marcescens was harmless to humans, a notion that was soon to be proven tragically incorrect.

The Unintended Consequences

Following the experiment, there was a noted increase in urinary tract infections in the area. Eleven people were admitted to Stanford University Hospital with severe infections caused by Serratia marcescens. Most notably, a patient recovering from prostate surgery succumbed to a heart infection caused by the bacterium. This incident marked the first known outbreak of Serratia marcescens in human history (Discover Magazine).

The aftermath of Operation Sea Spray brought into sharp focus the dangers of such uncontrolled experiments on the public. The Stanford University Hospital’s efforts in identifying this unusual pathogen were crucial in uncovering the truth behind the outbreak.

A Legacy of Ethical Breaches and Public Betrayal

The U.S. military conducted similar tests in other American cities from 1950 to 1966, often without public knowledge or consent. These tests exposed countless Americans to various microbial organisms, posing significant health risks to…