IBHBI
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Where the
Boys Were
laHBi
Nuclear Testing a
Eniwetok Atoll in 1958
Atomic Veteran Stories
Edited by: Walter E. Venator, Jr.
This brief book is dedicated to all of the Atomic Veterans who served in their
respective military branches for the United States of America in support of
weapons testing for our cold war need to have a superior nuclear arsenal.
Copyright © 2010 Walter E. Venator
All rights reserved. This documentation and associated magnetic media are protected by copyright and distrubuted under licenses
restricting its use, copying, distribution, and decompilation. No part of this product or related documentation may be reproduced in any
form by any means without the prior written authorization of the editor Walter E. Venator, or the respective authors and/ or their web
sites.
RESTRICTED RIGHTS LEGEND: Use, duplication, or disclosure by the United States Government is subject to the restrictions set forth in
DEARS 252.227-7013 (c)(l)(ii) and FAR 52.227-19.
THIS PUBLICATION IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WLTHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING,
BUT NOT LIMriED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILriY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR
NONINFRINGEMENT.
THIS PUBLICATION COULD INCLUDE TECHNICAL INACCURACIES OR
TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS. CHANGES ARE PERIODICALLY ADDED TO THE
INFORMATION HEREIN; THESE CHANGES WILL BE INCORPORATED IN NEW EDITIONS
OF THE PUBLICATION. THE PUBLISHER. MAY MAKE IMPROVEMENTS AND/OR
CHANGES TO THIS PUBLICATION AT ANY TIME.
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Acknowledgement
The editor thanks those Atomic Veterans who contributed their stories,
particularly Bud Feurt, George Mace, Tadd Kowalzyk, Lloyd Teed (deceased)
and the thousands of others who had similar experiences in 1958. A very
comprehensive chronology of Atomic Testing events is told by John Smitherman
in The Atlantic Monthly, July, 1984. Seaman Smitherman died at an early age
from various cancers caused by ionized radiation, but not recognized by our
government.
I could have included hundreds of stories like John Smitherman's, but that is not
the intent of this paper. The objective is to disclose information and inform
people of the events that occurred in 1958 to support our freedom. Freedom
does not come cheaply, and many of our defenders of peace pay a price during
combat or peacetime service.
In addition to the military men who proudly served, let us not forget the
thousands of civilians who were members of the construction crews that helped
make the nuclear test missions possible. They too, deserve recognition for they
received the same amount of ionizing radiation as the military.
The Marshall Islands played a pivotal role in the Atomic testing Programs and
the Marshallese received massive doses of radiation because of the tests in their
homeland. Our government admitted responsibility for injuries to the Marshallese
and compiled a list of 46 assumptive diseases caused by radiation exposure. By
comparison, only 22 ionizing radiation diseases are on the Atomic Veteran's list.
One wonders how the Marshallese who were exposed to the same levels of
radiation or less are in greater danger than the military personnel and American
civilians who were not protected to a higher degree than the island residents.
Therefore, it is only right and just that the country they served recognize those
who participated in the Atomic Tests of 1958, and are compensated, and treated
by the VA for illnesses caused by ionizing radiation.
It is my fervent hope that in raising awareness we inform, inspire and involve
furure generations about the plight of thousands of Atomic Veterans who served
their county. I hope that we can create sufficient critical mass of interest to form
a charitable fund and provide medical assistance and compensation to survivors,
their widows and recognition to honor all who served, now living and deceased.
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Contents
Introduction 1
1958 Chronology 3
The Cold War 5
The Veteran' s Administration 5
The Records Fires 7
1958 Atomic TestmR ChronoloRv 8
Operation Hardtack 1 9
1 958 - Pacific Proving Grounds 9
Shot Locations 12
Atomic Veterans 13
The Cost-Free Ionizing Radiation Registry Health Exam 13
Eligibility for Ionizing Radiation Registry Health Exam 13
My Atomic Experience 14
George Mace - Atomic Veteran 21
Tadd Kowalzyk - Atomic Veteran 28
Bud Feurt - Atomic Veteran 30
Atomic Veteran Lloyd Teed 32
Comments from a Research Physicist 34
Radiation Effects 36
Ionizing Radiation and Cancer 38
Types of Cancer Linked to Ionizing Radiation 39
Sources of Ionizing Radiation 39
Nuclear Fallout 40
Duty. Honor. C ancer 40
Diseases Associated with Ionizing Radiation Exposure 41
Senator Bob Filner Letter 43
Senate Bill #S. 1128 45
Recognition of Forgotten Atomic Veterans and their Surviving Spouses Act of 2007 46
C anadian Atomic Veterans Recognition Program 47
Marshall Islands 48
Emwetok Atoll 49
Eniwetok Atoll Observer Photographs 50
C actus 51
Operation Hardtack 1 51
Oak 52
Operation Hardtack 1 52
Umbrella 53
Operation Hardtack 1 53
Let the Games Begin 56
Important Reference Sites 58
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionizing radiation 58
http://www. atsdr.cdc. gov/phs/phs.asp?id=482&tid=86 58
Additional Reading 59
Additional Online Information 60
About the Editor 61
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific
Introduction
Very few Americans know the extent of Atomic Bomb Testing the United States
of America conducted from 1946 to 1962 and the subsequent fate of hundreds
of thousands of military and civilian personnel who were exposed to nuclear
radiation. Between July 16, 1945 and September 23, 1992, the United States of
America conducted no less than 1054 nuclear tests. Because the participants
had Secret or Top-Secret Clearances, and were sworn to remain silent about
their activities, most information on this subject has been withheld, destroyed, or
never revealed to the public. Every attempt to gain recognition and benefits is
ignored by Congress and as the veterans who worked at these proving grounds
are aging their angst increases. Their pleas for recognition and medical benefits
go unanswered as many career politicians give lip service in order to obtain
votes. The military personnel were guinea pigs for the sole purpose of testing
nuclear devices and the subsequent radiation effects on the participants. The
exposure to radiation was never a mistake or scientific miscalculation, e.g.,
caused by wind and rain and it was not due to a lack of knowledge of the
consequences.
Many of the participants in these documented tests have some form of cancer or
leukemia resulting from the ionized radiation exposure. The United States
Government steadfastly refuses to recognize many of these illnesses as service
connected and directly the result of nuclear radiation. Governor Richardson,
(then Senator Richardson of New Mexico) introduced a bill HR 1131 in 1997 to
recognize and honor those who served in atomic testing by awarding a nuclear
radiation medal. Efforts to pass the bill were thwarted by the Congress and
consequently, many service and civilian personnel have never been recognized
or compensated for illnesses directly related to atomic testing and radiation.
The ability to gain access to proper V. A. medical facilities is greatly hampered
by the fact that the Defense Department (and Pentagon) did not permit any
mention of atomic test participation on a veteran's (DD-214 ) discharge form.
Additionally, the Defense Department demanded that most military personnel
swear to a (20 or 25 year) oath of secrecy, under penalty of imprisonment,
should they mention, in any way, their association with or participation in any
atomic device test.
The Veterans Administration uses the DD-214 discharge form to determine the
level (or group) of medical services to which the veteran is entitled. Currently,
veterans exposed to Agent Orange (during the Vietnam conflict) are classed in
medical Group 6C. Atomic Veterans who can prove their participation of any
atmospheric atomic device detonation event are also classed in Group 6C, while
those who were awarded the Purple Heart are listed in Group 3, and entitled to
unlimited, no-cost, no-copay V. A. services.
On April 13, 2000, President William Jefferson Clinton announced he would ask
Congress for a $100,000.00 one-time payment for those who served in the cold
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific
war and were exposed to nuclear radiation because of participating in a
radiation-risk activity. We are all still awaiting the check.
On April 29, 2009 House Bill #, HR 2553 and Senate Bill # S 1128 were
introduced.
A service medal was never awarded because the Congress has found ingenious
ways to avoid recognizing the people who served.
Most of he participants at the Atomic test sites are either now deceased from
natural causes, or their illness and subsequent death was from exposure to
ionizing radiation. The survivors are in their seventies or older and more than
likely combating service-connected diseases, not genetically related ones. This
piece of American history and resultant casualties remains a secret. Because of
this secrecy, there is no mention or indication of participation in any service
member's 201 Folders, orders or records.
Much of the test results are now public information. This paper intends to
acquaint the reader with the facts concerning the nuclear tests conducted in
1958. It was the most active year for nuclear bomb tests and was toward the end
of all above ground detonations. The editor was an airman in the United States
Air Force, was a participant in these tests as part of Joint Task Force Seven,
has first-hand knowledge of the events and was exposed to ionizing radiation.
Contributing Atomic Veteran stories are exactly as sent via email to the editor,
except for correction of typographical of grammatical errors. Some of the
information was obtained from government and private web sites. Credit is given
to the web site or author as appropriate.
This is a 'living document" that will change as new stories are added. Therefore,
the editor solicits all Atomic Veterans, or their survivors with verifiable accounts
of the events, to submit their stories for inclusion in future editions.
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific
1958 Chronology
In the race for military supremacy, hundreds of thousands of military and civilian
personnel were participants in atomic bomb testing. Tens of thousands received
their award for service in the form of leukemia and other cancers. Men were
ordered to witness atomic detonations and march to ground zero only minutes
after the blast, or if they were lucky, view it from a distance of six to twelve miles
where they risked exposure to high-speed nuclear particles, irradiated dust,
water and contaminated air. Family, wives and widows were often left in the dark
as to the real reason their loved ones died prematurely and never mentioned
their military experience for fear of reprisal.
Numerous attempts have been made by Atomic Veterans and their survivors to
receive some form of compensation, recognition and justice. The attempts have
for the most part been ignored and produced denials, destroyed records, apathy
and disinterest.
National Geographic Vol.1 69-No. 16 dated June 1986 states that "Today, 40
years and 235 nuclear explosions later, the Bikinians are still waiting [to return
home/.. For as instruments on Bikini show, their atoll is still dangerously
radioactive".
If only we had instruments on the guinea pigs who faithfully served their country
in support of the Nuclear Arms Race, many may still be enjoying life, although
the quality would be questionable given the variety of illnesses awaiting the
participant.
They who faithfully served when their country called seek only recognition and
medical payment for diseases directly attributed to radiation exposure.
Operation IHardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific
1958 Event Chronology:
January 31 - The first successful American satellite , Explorer 1 , is launched into
orbit.
February 21 - A peace symbol is designed and completed by Gerald Holtom ,
commissioned by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament , in protest against the
Atomic Weapons Research Establishment .
February 25 - Bertrand Russell launches the Campaign for Nuclear
Disarmament .
April 4 - April 7 - In the first protest march for the Campaign for Nuclear
Disarmament from Hyde Park, London to Aldermaston , Berkshire , demonstrators
demand the banning of nuclear weapons ..
August 27 - Operation Argus : The United States begins nuclear tests over the
South Atlantic.
September 30 - The USSR, performs a nuclear test at Novaya Zemlya.
President Eisenhower orders U.S. troops into Lebanon
General Charles de Gaulle becomes French Premier and later President
Nikita Khrushchev becomes Premier of Soviet Union
The US Supreme Court rules unanimously that Little Rock, Ark., schools
must integrate
Army's Jupiter-C rocket fires first US satellite. Explorer I, into orbit
Elvis Presley was inducted into the Army
The Edsel was introduced.
The Bridge Over the River Kwai received the Oscar
Dean Martin sang "Return to Me"
Connie Francis sang "Where the Boys Are"
NASA initiates Project Mercury
We used slide rules for mathematical calculations
USA, USSR and Great Britain agree to stop testing atomic bombs for 3
years.
Operation Hardtack 1 was conducted in the Marshall Islands and
Johnston Island
I was a participant in Operation Hardtack 1 and part of Joint Task Force 7
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific
The Cold War
Almost immediately after World War II ended, the U.S. and its allies realized they
were in a Cold War with the Soviet Union. The first atomic bomb was tested
successfully at the Trinity Site in southeastern New Mexico in July 1945 and the
second and third bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, in
August 1945, bringing about a speedy end to World War II. (Thank God for that,
as we had no more atomic bombs to drop.) U.S. officials knew that the Soviet
Union was on a fast track to develop the "bomb" and that they must develop
more sophisticated nuclear weapons to stay ahead of the Cold War enemy.
With the backing of the Executive Branch and Congress, the Army's Manhattan
Engineer District (MED), which designed, developed and tested the first atomic
bomb, embarked on a nuclear testing program in 1946 at the newly established
Pacific Proving Ground in the Marshall Islands area. The MED was dissolved in
1947 and its duties and functions were given to the U.S. Atomic Energy
Commission (AEC). The DOD joined the AEC in Joint Task Forces, which
continued the atmospheric testing program. This program allowed rapid gains in
knowledge about weapons development, military effects, fallout and radiation
effects, biomedical science, nuclear science, and delivery systems.
AL, a field office of the AEC, opened the Nevada Proving Ground northwest of
Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1951 to reduce the cost of nuclear testing. The cost of
transporting supplies, scientific gear, and materials for housing and testing, and
for keeping a work force in the Pacific was monumental. The name of the
Nevada Proving Ground was changed in 1957 to the Nevada Test Site.
In hindsight, the AEC and the DOD made many mistakes in the testing program,
such as underestimating the effects of fallout and deploying troops in areas of
excessive radiation. Despite the errors in the early testing efforts, the U.S.
surged ahead of all other nations in nuclear weapons capabilities, and gained
the expertise, which now sets the standard for what is "safe."
Although the Soviet Union mounted a massive attempt to gain a distinct
advantage in nuclear military power, the U.S. maintained a deterrent to nuclear
aggression. The U.S. now has a smaller but more sophisticated nuclear
weapons stockpile, which the DOE manages jointly with the DOD. Through
treaties, nuclear testing has been discontinued.
The Veteran's Administration
The United States has the most comprehensive system of assistance for
veterans of any nation in the world. This benefits system traces its roots back to
1636, when the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony were at war with the Pequot
Indians. The Pilgrims passed a law, which stated that disabled soldiers would be
supported, by the colony.
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in tlie Pacific
The Continental Congress of 1776 encouraged enlistments during the
Revolutionary War by providing pensions for soldiers who were disabled. Direct
medical and hospital care given to veterans in the early days of the Republic was
provided by the individual States and communities. In 1811, the first domiciliary
and medical facility for veterans was authorized by the Federal Government. In
the 19th century, the Nation's veteran's assistance program was expanded to
include benefits and pensions for not only veterans, but also their widows and
dependents.
After the Civil War, many State veterans homes were established. Since
domiciliary care was available at all State veterans homes, incidental medical
and hospital treatment was provided for all injuries and diseases, whether or not
of service origin. Indigent and disabled veterans of the Civil War, Indian Wars,
Spanish-American War, and Mexican Border period as well as discharged
regular members of the Armed Forces were cared for at these homes.
Congress established a new system of veterans' benefits when the United States
entered World War I in 1917. Included were programs for disability
compensation, insurance for servicepersons and veterans, and vocational
rehabilitation for the disabled. By the 1920s, the various benefits were
administered by three different Federal agencies: the Veterans Bureau, the
Bureau of Pensions of the Interior Department, and the National Home for
Disabled Volunteer Soldiers.
The establishment of the Veterans Administration came in 1930 when Congress
authorized the President to "consolidate and coordinate Government activities
affecting war veterans." The three component agencies became bureaus within
the Veterans Administration. Brigadier General Frank T. Mines, who directed the
Veterans Bureau for seven years, was named as the first Administrator of
Veterans Affairs, a job he held until 1945.
The VA health care system has grown from 54 hospitals in 1930, to include 171
medical centers; more than 350 outpatient, community, and outreach clinics; 126
nursing home care units; and 35 domiciliaries. VA health care facilities provide a
broad spectrum of medical, surgical, and rehabilitative care. The responsibilities
and benefits programs of the Veterans Administration grew enormously during
the following six decades. World War II resulted in not only a vast increase in the
veteran population, but also in large number of new benefits enacted by the
Congress for veterans of the war. The World War II Gl Bill, signed into law on
June 22, 1944, is said to have had more impact on the American way of life than
any law since the Homestead Act more than a century ago. Further educational
assistance acts were passed for the benefit of veterans of the Korean Conflict,
the Vietnam Era, Persian Gulf War, and the All-Volunteer Force.
In 1973, the Veterans Administration assumed another major responsibility when
the National Cemetery System (except for Arlington National Cemetery) was
transferred to the Veterans Administration from the Department of the Army. The
Agency was charged with the operation of the National Cemetery System,
Operation IHardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific
including the marking of graves of all persons in national and State cemeteries
(and the graves of veterans in private cemeteries, upon request) as well and
administering the State Cemetery Grants Program.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) was established as a Cabinet-level
position on March 15, 1989. President Bush hailed the creation of the new
Department saying, "There is only one place for the veterans of America, in the
Cabinet Room, at the table with the President of the United States of America."
Source: http://www4.va.gov/about_va/vahistory.asp
The VA does an excellent job providing medical care for veterans. The facilities I
have visited are equipped with the latest technology affording the best possible
medical care. The hospitals and clinics are well staffed with highly trained and
dedicated personnel, and from my personal perspective, they are always very
courteous and eager to help. I have never had a bad visit to a VA facility. Too
bad I don't have the same words for the NARA.
The Records Fires
The National Archives and Records Administration is the official depository for
records of military personnel separated from the United States Air Force, Army,
Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy. The records are housed in three
locations: the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C., the Washington
National Records Center in Suitland, Md., and the National Personnel Records
Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, MO. A fire at the National Personnel Records Center
(NPRC) in St. Louis on July 12, 1973, destroyed about 80 percent of the records
for Army personnel discharged between November 1, 1912, and January 1,
1960. About 75 percent of the records for Air Force personnel with surnames
from "Hubbard" through "Z" discharged between September 25, 1947, and
January 1, 1964, were also destroyed, source: National veterans Legal services Program
There are numerous cases where Veterans' service records were destroyed, as
in the 1973 fire at the NPRC. It then becomes the responsibility of the veteran to
prove entitlement to VA benefits because their records, they entrusted to the
custody of NPRC, where destroyed. An Atomic Veteran survivor must
"reconstruct" his service record on what limited information is available and
sensible deduction. This is next to impossible. A former VA Undersecretary was
able to locate the records of a dying veteran who had been told that his records
could not be found. This undersecretary was almost immediately transferred to a
remote VA hospital, source: stars and Stripes, March 13 - March 26, 2000
There are ways to reconstruct a veteran's record, e.g., by using alternate
sources, NPRC may often be able to reconstruct a veteran's beginning and
ending dates of active service, the character of service, rank while in service,
time lost while on active duty, and periods of hospitalization. NPRC is usually
able to issue NA Form 13038, "Certification of Military Service, "considered the
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific
equivalent of a Form DD-214, "Report of Separation From Active Duty," for the
purpose of establishing eligibility for veterans' benefits.
Source: http://www.nvlsp.org/lnformation
Although my records were destroyed in one of the fires, I was able to prove my
participation because I had the original of every set of orders. I have a duplicate
of my entire 201 file. Therefore, although the VA questioned me about how I was
able to have all those records, was obligated to accept me as Category 6C.
As the remaining participants die, they take their story to the grave. The
American Citizen and family survivors do not know the Atomic Veteran's story
and many families are unaware that their loved ones died because of radiation
exposure.
1958 Atomic Testing Chronology
April 7 - The AEC commissioners decide not to conduct two very high altitude
firings of nuclear weapons at Enewetak Proving Ground because the AEC
cannot assure absolutely that the Marshallese would receive no eye damage
from the light resulting from such detonations
May 6 - As part of the Hardtack tests operation in the Pacific, the task force
radiological safety office is prepared to warn, advise, and help inhabitants in
taking safety measures in case of significant fallout in an inhabited area. The
office's monitors also have trained Marshallese medical practitioners and health
aides in basic emergency measures.
Oct 31 - The U.S. conducts nuclear weapon tests in Operation Hardtack I at
Bikini, Enewetak, and Johnston Island.
May 1959 - In a moratorium, the United States, Great Britain, and the USSR
suspend nuclear weapon testing.
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 9
Operation Hardtack I
1958 - Pacific Proving Grounds
Hardtack I included 35 tests, the largest test series so far (1958 in fact saw a
total of 77 U.S. tests, more than the three previous record setting years
combined). Partly, this burst of testing activity was due to building pressure for
an imminent test moratorium, leading the weapons labs to rush as many device
types to the test range as possible. A total of 35.6 megatons were shot during
this series.
The lab tests centered on ICBM and SLBM missile warheads and high yield
strategic bombs. The DOD conducted high altitude multi-megaton tests to study
their usefulness for ABM (anti-ballistic missile) warheads, and discovered the
high-altitude EMP (electromagnetic pulse) effect in the process. Effects tests of
underwater explosions were also conducted.
The extensive test schedule required the use not only of both atolls (Bikini and
Enewetak) but Johnston Island also. This series was the last to conduct
atmospheric testing at Bikini and Enewetak atolls. Test names were taken from
North American trees and shrubs.
Source: nuclearweaponarchive.ora
In previous years, tests were conducted in various locations throughout the
Marshall Islands. The first hydrogen bomb test, code-named Mike, was tested on
November 1, 1952. The explosion vaporized the island of Elugelab.
Results of surveys by the University of Washington Laboratory of Radiation
Biology (LRB) at Bikini and 10 other central Pacific islands between 1954 and
1958 reveal that "radioactivity decreased with distance and direction" from the
Enewetak test site. Thus, islands within a 130-mile radius of the site exhibited 10
or more times the radioactivity of those surveyed outside this area, and the
"major portion of the radioactivity was deposited at or close to the test sites at
Enewetak and Bikini Atolls." In addition, islands east of the Bravo test site, i.e.,
Bikar, Likiep and Rongerik, "contained relatively high amounts of radioactivity."
These surveys also showed that zirconium 95-niobium 95, ruthenium 103 and
106, and -rhodium 103 and 106 were the predominant radioisotopes in most
samples; that isotopes such as tungsten 181 and 185, zirconium 65, and cesium
137 were relatively high in some samples; and that strontium 90 was found
usually in very low amounts.
Source: Marshall Islands Chronology
In April through August, 1958, 35 tests were conducted in the Pacific. The
following is a list of the tests.
Operation IHardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in tlie Pacific
10
Test
Date
Sponsor
Location
Type
Purpose
Yield
Yucca
(Operation
Newsreel)
4/28/58
LANL/DOD
Pacific
Balloon
Weapons
effects
1.7 kt
Cactus
5/5/58
LANL
Enewetak
Surface
Weapons
effects
18kt
Fir
5/11/58
LLNL
Bikini
Barge
Weapons
related
1 .36 Mt
Butternut
5/11/58
LANL
Enewetak
Barge
Weapons
related
81 kt
Koa
5/12/58
LANL
Enewetak Surface
Weapons
related
1.37 Mt
Wahoo
5/16/58
LANL/DOD
Enewetak Underwater
Weapons
related
9kt
Holly
5/20/58
LANL
Enewetak
Barge
Weapons
related
5.9 kt
Nutmeg
5/21/58
LLNL
Bikini
Barge
Weapons
related
25.1 kt
Yellowwood
5/26/58
LANL
Enewetak
Barge
Weapons
related
330 kt
Magnolia
5/26/58
LANL
Enewetak
Barge
Weapons
related
57 kt
Tobacco
5/30/58
LANL
Enewetak
Barge
Weapons
related
11.6 kt
Sycamore
5/31/58
LLNL
Bikini
Barge
Weapons
related
92 kt
Rose
6/2/58
LANL
Enewetak
Barge
Weapons
related
15kt
Umbrella
6/8/58
LANL/DOD
Enewetak
Underwater
Weapons
effects
8kt
Maple
6/10/58
LLNL
Bikini
Barge
Weapons
related
213kt
Aspen
6/14/58
LLNL
Bikini
Barge
Weapons
related
319kt
Walnut
6/14/58
LANL
Enewetak Barge
Weapons
related
1.45 Mt
Linden
6/18/58
LANL
Enewetak
Barge
Weapons
related
11 kt
Redwood 6/27/58
LLNL
Bikini Barge
Weapons
related
412kt
Elder
6/27/58
LANL
Enewetak Barge
Weapons
related
880 kt
Oak
6/28/59
LANL
Enewetak Barge
Weapons
related
8.9 Mt
Hickory
6/29/58
LLNL
Bikini Barge
Weapons
related
14kt
Sequoia
7/1/58
LANL
Enewetak
Barge
Weapons
related
5.2 kt
Cedar
7/2/58
LLNL
Bikini
Barge
Weapons
related
220 kt
Dogwood
7/5/58
LLNL
Enewetak
Barge
Weapons
related
397 kt
Poplar
7/12/58
LLNL
Bikini
Barge
Weapons
related
9.3 Mt
Scaevola
7/14/58
LANL
Enewetak
Barge
Safety
experiment
PIsonIa
7/17/58
LANL
Enewetak
Barge
Weapons
related
225 kt
Juniper
7/22/58
LLNL
Bikini
Barge
Weapons
related
65 kt
Olive
7/22/58
LLNL
Enewetak
Barge
Weapons
related
202 kt
Pine
7/26/58
LLNL
Enewetak
Barge
Weapons
related
2Mt
Operation IHardtack 1
Walter E. Venator
11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific
11
Test
Date
Sponsor
Location
Type
Purpose
Yield
Teak
(Operation
Newsreel)
8/1/58
LANL/DOD
Johnston
Rocket
Weapons
effects
3.8 Mt
Quince
8/6/58
LLNL/DOD
Enewetak Surface
Weapons
related
Orange
(Operation
Newsreel)
8/12/58
LANL/DOD
Johnston
Rocket
Weapons
effects
3.8 Mt
Fig
8/18/58
LLNL/DOD
Enewetak
Surface
Weapons
related
20 tons
Source: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ocas/pdfs/tbd/ppgrO.pdf
Operation Hardtack 1
Walter E. Venator
11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific
12
Shot Locations
(TI-TOWER
IBI-BARGE
lAl-AIR DROP
ISI-SURFACE
lUI-UNOERWATER
IrtautkM Milnl
NUCLEAR DETONATION SITES ON ENEWETAK ATOLL.
Operation Hardtack 1
Walter E. Venator
11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 1 3
Atomic Veterans
- Veterans are considered to be "Atomic Veterans," an unofficial term that
refers to those who participated in what is called a "radiation-risk activity:"
Veterans who were involved in the occupation of Hiroshima and
Nagasaki, Japan between August 6, 1945, and July 1, 1946
Veterans who were prisoners of war in Japan during World War II
Veterans who participated in atmospheric nuclear weapons tests,
which were conducted primarily in Nevada and the Pacific Ocean
between 1945 and 1962
■ Veterans who participated in underground nuclear weapons testing at:
Amchitka Island, Alaska before Jan, 1, 1974
One of the following gaseous diffusion plants for at least 250 days
before February 1, 1992:
Paducah, Kentucky
Portsmouth, Ohio
K25 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee
The Cost-Free Ionizing Radiation Registry IHealtli Exam
■ Cost-free for eligible Veterans, no requirement for a co-payment.
■ Comprehensive examination, including exposure and medical
histories, laboratory tests, and physical exam.
■ Results discussed by a VA health professional with Veteran, both in a
personal face-to-face consultation and a follow-up letter.
■ No requirement to enroll in VA health care system to receive registry
exam.
■ An Ionizing Radiation Registry Examination is not a claim; nor is it
required for VA health care benefits or disability compensation.
Eligibility for Ionizing Radiation Registry Health Exam
A veteran, who participated in atmospheric nuclear weapons testing, served with
the U.S. occupational forces in Hiroshima or Nagasaki or was a POW there, or
was exposed to ionizing radiation while participating in another radiation-risk
activity may participate in an Ionizing Radiation Health Exam.
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 14
Veterans who received nasopharyngeal (NP) radium treatments while in military
service also may participate.
Veterans should ask to speak to their Environmental Health Coordinator or
Patient Care Advocate at the nearest VA medical facility for information about
getting an Ionizing Radiation Registry health exam.
Obtaining (Official) Proof tliat you are an Atomic-Veteran
For those who want an "Official" letter of Nuclear-Weapon test participation, the
following will apply. This letter can be obtained by calling the Defense Threat
Reduction Agency (DTRA) at: 800-462-3683. After requesting to be connected
to an Atomic-Veteran service agent, you will have to furnish your military service
number, social security number, branch of service, ship, unit (or outfit) number,
squadron, etc., and the test event you believe you were associated with. As an
example, you may have been in Operation Dominic-I, but do not know the date
or name of the test shot you participated in. DTRA will be able to furnish such
information, given the data that you furnish. After securing the DTRA
letter, make a copy and keep the original. For radiogenic illness (VA) claim filing
purposes, you will have to furnish the VA Service Officer with the copy of the
DTRA letter of confirmation.
In my case, in addition to copies of my orders, I have an original (signed by A. R.
Luedecke, Major General, USAF, Commander) Certificate of Participation in
Operation Hardtack 1 .
IVIy Atomic Experience
I am one of the thousands of veterans who served in the Pacific in 1958 where
some of the largest atomic tests were conducted during Operation Hardtack 1. I
was directly exposed to atomic radiation from a number of atomic tests, and in
particular, the atmospheric test at Johnston Island, I observed while aboard the
U.S. aircraft carrier. Boxer. I served in the 1253^^ AACSRON, APO 187 at
Eniwetok and was temporarily assigned to Johnston Island and attached to
1957th AACS, APO 953. I have my original records in a safe deposit box and
can prove all I say. I was honorably discharged in 1962 as an Airman First Class,
United States Air Force.
Presently, I am a Category 6 VA patient because I was able to prove I was
exposed to nuclear radiation. The category 6 means I may use the VA for
prescriptions and two visits per year. I have my own Aetna/Medicare insurance
and a primary care physician. I do go to the VA as back up and just in case the
U.S. Congress has a change of heart and increases benefits for those who
served and were exposed to ionizing radiation, I have my name in the hat. I do
have a propensity for skin cancer on the left side of my face, although there is no
history of it in my family. I have had three surgeries for tumors on my left cheek
near my nose. More recently, I developed small malignant tumors on the left side
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 1 5
of my face and just had a growth removed from my ear that seemed to appear
overnight. My dermatologist informed me that I have basal cell carcinoma and
need additional surgery. This makes three in one year! My siblings have none of
these problems and they sat in the sun. I was always covered. The dermatologist
told me this form of cancer is prevalent with people who have; light colored skin,
blue or green eyes, blond or red hair or overexposure to x-rays or other forms of
radiation. The only item that pertains to me is the overexposure to other forms of
radiation because I have brown eyes, brown hair (actually now all gray, what is
left of it) and I do not have light colored skin.
The following is my story.
I had what appeared to be the perfect assignment. In 1957 I was an electronics
technician, (radio/radar) stationed at Westover AFB, Granby, MA. It was a great
assignment and I found the people of western Massachusetts to be extremely
friendly and kind to military personnel. Because I worked at an off-base secure
communications facility about 10 miles from Westover, I lived off base too. Not
just off base, but I got real lucky when the First Sergeant secured quarters for me
and a buddy in the College Inn, directly across the street from Mt. Holyoke
College. Just imagine 3200 love-starved girls, two of us and per-diem too.
Actually, with the exception of a few summer students, the girls were not to be
found because I was in the College Inn about a month until the fall semester
approached when we had to secure different housing. I wound up in The
Evergreen Inn, a very nice place, and much closer to my work, but about five
miles from Mt. Holyoke. So much for the good times
I knew it could not last, it was to good a deal. All this would change in January
1958.
One of my friends, who worked in personnel, informed me I would have to take
an overseas tour or risk going to Thule, Greenland. Because of my AFSC (Air
Force Specialty Code) I would be prone to remote assignments overseas. He
knew I hated the cold, so I asked him to find a nice warm place where the girls
spoke English. A week later he presented me with my choices; Saudi Arabia,
Lebanon and Turkey. You do not want to go off the base in any of those
locations. What I had in mind was the other side of the world. Hawaii would have
been nice, but I lacked the required time in the service for such an assignment
and that would have been a three-year stint. I needed a one-year tour. A week
later, he told me he had the perfect place. "Picture this", he said, "a warm South
Pacific island with a beautiful girl behind every tree, and it's only a year tour. In
addition, you qualify. They need your AFSC and you have a Top Secret
Clearance." I received a Top Secret Clearance after being investigated by the
FBI, and it was needed in the performance of my work.
I should have suspected something when he said Top Secret, but I had those
girls on my mind. I left the ideal assignment at Westover and headed for Travis
Operation IHardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 16
AFB, California and on to APO 187, 1253^^ AACS, Eniwetok, Marshall Islands.
The MATS Lockheed Constellation stopped in Hawaii and Kwajalein just long
enough for refueling and crew changes, and continued shaking and rattling over
the endless ocean until we came upon what looked like a carrier. Ok, two
carriers. Welcome to Eniwetok! Upon landing and a debriefing in the main
hanger, it dawned on me that my personnel friend knew more about this place
then he let on, or he believed his own story, for I was clearly in trouble. There
was only one tree and not a girl in sight. This island named "FRED" was so flat
and small that I could see practically every inch from the flight line. There was
not a whole lot to see! The atoll, while sounding exotic, was nothing more than a
volcano rim consisting of a small ring of sandy islands with a few palm trees. I
was amazed at the amount of residual war material in the lagoon.
There was no way our Air Force uniforms would be comfortable so we wore
khaki shorts, short-sleeved shirts and a blue baseball cap. This was the
approved attire for all military personnel at least while on the islands.
I remember being called white meat by some of the men. They were nicely
tanned and I had a winter white look having come from Massachusetts and New
Jersey. After I met the people I would be working with, I decided this is not so
bad, and it is only a year. Well, a year is a long time when you are 20. All one
could do was eat, sleep, drink, lay on the beach, swim or dive and go to the open
theater which was just outside my aluminum barracks. The swimming area was
restricted due to the World War II debris strewn about the lagoon. There was a
roped-off beach area and any dip to cool down was restricted to that area. Good
thing too; I learned the area was infested with sharks and barracudas in addition
to a poisonous "stone" fish. This ugly fish just stayed on the bottom with his
poisonous dorsal waiting for some unsuspecting fish or human. In addition, we
were instructed not to go near any of the wrecks because live ammunition could
be present. The Navy was always collecting live shells and bombs that would
wash up periodically. The food was ample and good. The drinks were cheap and
everyone went to the NCO club for additional relaxation. I was careful not to
absorb too much of the sun's rays for fear of being burned. After a week or two
of daily exposure of no more than twenty minutes and ample quantities of lotion,
I was quite dark. No more white meat! We were directed not to eat any fish we
caught because of lingering radiation. I questioned about the road dust we
inhaled and the food we ate. I was told not to worry. Well, when someone tells
me not to worry, that is when I start investigating. The brush-off comment made
me curious about residual radiation from prior year tests. I also wondered about
the water we drank. Our desalinated drinking water was pumped directly from
the lagoon. Although the water was filtered, I figured you can not eliminate
atomic particles. I was right.
I recall the awesome sight of the remnants of WW II. Like many of the Pacific
islands, Eniwetok (it is also spelled Enewetak), was a strategic spot on the map
and had to be taken. We lost over 1,500 men securing the island, which gave us
Operation IHardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 17
a runway and a step closer to the invasion of Japan. Eniwetok, being part of the
rim of a volcano, has a lagoon side and an ocean side. The lagoon side is
beautiful if you overlook the truck, plane and ship parts strewn over a good part
of the beach. It looked as though a battle had been fought a week ago, but of
course, it was 13 years prior to my arrival when the Americans defeated the
Japanese and took possession of the island. The water is a beautiful azure and
the coral reef extends about 100 yards beyond the island. It was then, and is
today, a fabulous place for diving. Just be sure to avoid the poisonous stonefish
One memory is still very vivid. I recollect Russian spy ships at both Eniwetok
Atoll, and Johnston Island. At Eniwetok, they spied on us with powerful
binoculars mounted on the decks of their trawlers. I believe there were two ships.
At Johnston Island they viewed our activities from two submarines. I wonder how
much radiation they received for their efforts.
Our day started at 4:30 AM. We worked in the morning hours and spent the
afternoons relaxing. We had to stop working around noon because the
temperature in the communications facility where we worked would approach
triple digits, and the humidity felt like it was 100 percent. The communications
building housed ground to air transmitters that used 4X150 tubes in their finals.
These tubes got extremely hot. Because of the intense ambient temperature,
and the resultant building warmth caused by the expelled heat from the
transmitters, the 4X1 50s needed continual replacement. The silver solder used
in their construction actually melted. A team of four was kept constantly busy
maintaining the transmitters. After about two months, air conditioning was
installed in the building and we were out of work. The air conditioning cooled the
site so much that the 4X1 50s never melted again and we just needed to take
meter readings once a week. That air conditioning saved the taxpayers a lot of
money because those tubes were not cheap. I was transferred to an Army
communications facility in the middle of the island. Rather than a solid structure,
the high frequency equipment was housed in a huge tent. We had a great crew
and all got the job done. I recall my Air Force supervisor was A/2c Darrell
Chalcraft. I cannot recall the name of the Army Staff Sergeant who subsequently
became our supervisor, although he impressed me with his knowledge of high-
frequency communications equipment. Our 1253''' Airways and Air
Communication Service (AACS) Squadron Commander was Captain Joseph
Tretola, a super nice person from New Jersey and a great team leader.
Two weeks after I arrived at Eniwetok, my personnel friend showed up. He must
have really believed his own story. He asked how I was doing and I said I'm
getting off this rock." It seems that is what everyone said, everyone except the
civilian contractors. They were making good money as employees of Holmes
and Narver the construction company responsible for buildings and ancillary
equipment not maintained by the military.
Operation IHardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific
I awoke one morning with severe facial pain. I had no idea what it was. The Army
medic did. My wisdom teeth were breaking through the gums, all four of them
and they had to be removed. That entitled me to a trip to Hawaii. A trip to Hawaii
was always good for at least a week because a plane returned only on Fridays.
After my sojourn from Hawaii, I saw my personnel friend (I wish I could recall his
name) and when he asked the obligatory question, I responded with, "I am
getting off this rock." To my amazement, he replied with, "You're right this time,
your bags must be packed because at 2200 hours you are on that C-124 parked
on the runway. You will be going to Hawaii, then on to Johnston Island." Before
leaving, something caught up to me. I had to see the medic to check my health
and unfortunately my shot record before transfer to another location. I had
conveniently avoided getting shots prior to leaving Westover AFB, (actually, I did
not have the time) and now I had to get seven just to get current and two more
for whatever else I needed. I thought I would tough it out and get them all in one
arm, but after four, I took the remainder in the left arm and rear-end. I never
missed another shot during my enlistment.
An Air Force Sergeant, S/SGT Brewer was placed in charge of about six of us.
We flew to Kwajalein and on to Hawaii. We were assigned to Bellows AFB for
about a week and then I went to Johnston Island with A/2c William Grandstaff to
join a team from Johnson AFB, Japan to maintain ground and ground-to-air
equipment. S/SGT Brewer as the NCO in charge saw to it that we got to our
assigned areas at Bellows AFB. We were assigned to the 1957"" AACS
Squadron to maintain ground-to-air communications equipment.
We spent about a month installing communications equipment and making it
operational for support of the missile shot. Then, we were instructed to pack an
overnight and were evacuated from the island on a LCM to board the Boxer an
aircraft carrier, CVS 21. I was in awe of its size, but it was small compared to
today's carriers. That night, we were instructed to go to the flight deck to witness
a nuclear blast. We observed a nuclear bomb detonated from a Redstone
missile at an altitude of 141,000 feet and 26 miles downrange from Johnston
Island. This exercise was called Project Newsreel. I do not know why the
operation was called Project Newsreel, however, we were filmed as we
evacuated the island.
Once aboard the Boxer I had time to think about the future developments. We
were told by the Captain that test were conducted aboard the ship and it was
discovered that gray paint had more radio activity that white, we would wear
something white for the shot we would witness that night. Although only 20, and
not at all educated in the physics of nuclear devices, I clearly proceeded with
hesitation. Something did not sound right. We were told to bring sheets from our
bunks because the radiation would be reflected by the white color. I could not
believe it, knowing a sheet could not stop solar rays, why should it have any
affect on nuclear radiation. I did not know about alpha and beta particles then. It
is true the alpha and beta particles are stopped in their tracks with a piece of
Operation IHardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in tlie Pacific 1 9
paper; gamma rays are a whole other thing. Years later, I learned that gamma
rays require a substantial wall of concrete, lead or water to be absorbed. My gut
just told me this is something to view with caution.
I dutifully stood on the deck with my useless white sheet and goggles. I recall
asking a civilian adjacent to me if he had any idea how long the heat would last.
He said he had no clue. I did not dare look at the shot because I feared the
outcome to my eyes. At about 2330, the bomb detonated at the altitude of
141,000 feet. We were approximately 710 miles from Waikiki. I recall three very
vivid things. An intense white light that I can only describe as an infinite number
of flash bulbs going off and staying on for quite a lengthy time. I heard from
people in Hawaii as I passed through back on my way to Eniwetok some weeks
later, that you could read a chapter of a book at Waikiki beach; the light was so
bright and lasted so long. They had no idea the blast was coming and when they
observed it, they thought it was the end of the world. The second thing I recall is
the heat. It was intense. It probably did not last more than 200 milliseconds, but
the residual temperature was uncomfortable. I had my head down because I
refused to look into the fireball. Because I had my head in this position, I think it
enabled me to see something those looking up could not see. I saw those in
front of me, (and there were hundreds on the deck) as though they were X-
rayed. I remember that sight most of all. The X-ray sight was awesome. I
thought, my God, this is not good. I also thought that the people responsible for
these tests did not have a clue about the effects of nuclear radiation on human
tissue and internal organs. The protection we got for the radiation from these
bombs was zero.
We returned to Johnston Island the following day and were debriefed. I returned
to Eniwetok after a one week stay in Hawaii and about a week later I left for an
assignment to Okinawa on 90 days temporary duty, (TDY). I lived in the barracks
on a small Air Force station in Teragara and was shuttled to Awase each day
After 90 days working at the Awase Communications facility in Okinawa, I
returned to Eniwetok just in time to obtain a flight to Travis AFB, then San
Francisco and a commercial airline got me home in time for Christmas.
My most vivid recollection of my Project Hardtack experience was the Teak Shot
at Johnston Island. The first radio transmission received at Johnston Island
hours after the Teak thermonuclear test was "Are you still there?" Our Air Force
counterparts at Bellows Air Force Base did not know if we were still on the map.
The Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) was so perverse that all aircraft were
grounded in Hawaii and the surrounding area. The Teak fireball was observed as
far away as Oahu Island, approximately 525 nautical miles from Johnston Island.
Eyewitnesses claimed the multi-colored sky rivaled the Southern Lights, and they
experienced an eerie twilight on Waikiki Beach that lasted for about 15 minutes.
I have an 8 X 10 full color picture of the Umbrella detonation taken by an Army
photographer. When the plume of water shot upward, the WW II junk in the
lagoon was sucked up in a column of 13,000 feet of super heated irradiated
water. I cannot forget the many craters caused by nuclear bombs set off in the
Operation IHardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 20
pristine coral. Moreover, most of all, I cannot forget the shot I witnessed aboard
the Boxer. I wonder about the effects of nuclear radiation on the Marshallese to
this day.
Prior to leaving Eniwetok for Okinawa, I was directed to complete a form
indicating my preference for a stateside base. Maguire AFB in New Jersey,
Plattsburgh AFB in New York and Dobbins AFB in Georgia, were my choices but
not the Air Force's and I was assigned to Hamilton AFB in Novate, California.
Hamilton, which is no longer in existence, was a great place and considered the
"Country Club" of the Air Force. Hamilton was just up the road from San Quentin
and about equally distant to San Francisco and Santa Rosa. I worked off base at
a High Frequency Transmitter facility situated on about 1,200 acres. I finished
my enlistment as an Airman First Class with 12 months in time and grade
towards Staff Sergeant. In those days, you could not be a Staff Sergeant with
less than four years of service, and although assured I would be a good
candidate to make Staff Sergeant, I surmised that I was due for another
overseas assignment and would not be able to attend college and obtain an
engineering degree. I completed my service with exactly four years of active
duty. I joined the United States Air Force on August 20, 1956 and separated
from active duty on August 19, 1960. My complete commitment was six years,
four active and two inactive reserve. I received an Honorable Discharge on
August, 1962. I enjoyed my time in the service, and if I thought I could have
continued my education at a stateside base, I would have seriously considered
making the Air Force a career.
Walter E. Venator, Jr.
484-947-7852
memexman@hotmail.com
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 21
George Mace -Atomic Veteran
An Atomic Bomb Test Veteran Remembers
by George Mace
George Mace is a veteran of nuclear bomb testing in the Pacific and Nuclear Operations
Reconstruction Coordinator for the National Association of Atomic Veterans. There is
nothing like a first hand account from someone who was there.
"Exactly 52 years ago 1 participated in nuclear Electromagnetic Pulse Tests. I had been assigned to Joint
Task Force Seven, for participation in Operation Hardtack-I, to be conducted at the Pacific Proving
Grounds. This mainly consisted of Bikini and Eniwetok Atolls, about 1 50 miles apart and by using two
Atolls the U.S. could test many more bombs.
On 1 February 1958, I reported in at Travis Air Force Base, California and waited
several days for a Military Air Transport Service (MATS) flight to Hawaii . This was the
first time in my life for flying and some experience. There was no finished interior in the
aircraft, just bucket seats and cold box lunch meals. It was a cold flight and one engine
started to smoke, which had to be shut down (feathered) on the way over and I am sitting
on the wing seat watching out the window with more than a little concern! Hawaii
smelled like a big pineapple upside down cake when we landed, because of the canning
factories.
Again, several days passed waiting for another flight, which would take me to
Eniwetok Atoll. It is a long way from Hawaii to Eniwetok, which is part of the Marshall
Islands and near Bikini and Kwajalein Atolls, which almost everyone has heard of
Looking out the aircraft window all you could see was white caps (big waves) in a very
blue ocean. After what seemed like an eternity of cold box lunches and rather cold
sleeping, the aircraft started to descend and I could not see any land. Finally, what
appeared to be the deck of an aircraft carrier came into view and we started our approach.
It turned out that Eniwetok Island was about 90% runway and the remainder living
quarters for the troops! This main island was named Eniwetok but code named FRED,
which I shall use to prevent confusion between it and Eniwetok Atoll. Because the islands
had native names and were hard to pronounce, all had been assigned code names by the
United States, which I shall also use.
Once off the plane we were escorted to a building for in- briefmg and further
assignment. No cameras or weapons were allowed on the island and all our mail would be
censored (read) for classified information before forwarding stateside. We would not be
allowed to write anything about our duties or what took place on the island, or in the
Atoll! This did not leave a whole lot to talk about when writing home. In April, I would
celebrate my 23rd birthday on this "wonderful" island!
I had one duffle bag with all my uniforms in it and the first thing we did was turn it all
in for storage. I was issued tan short sleeve shirts, short pants, sneakers and a blue ball
cap, which would be my dress uniform for the next nine months! My quarters would be a
ten- man tent with wooden lockers, heated 24 hours a day by a light bulb to keep the
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in tlie Pacific 22
moisture out of my clothes. It also burned holes in your clothes if you were not careful!
The tent was constructed with a wooden frame and second tent over it with an air space in
between to help keep it cool inside. The sides of the tent were rolled up to about three feet
off the wooden floor for air circulation. This also allowed the horizontal rain coming in
off the ocean to soak your cot during the frequent nighttime storms, (Many a wet butt
night).
Wooden walkways connected the tents to each other and a central latrine with
(showers, stools, washbasins). All you ever wore to the latrine was a towel! As luck
would have it, the living quarters were located right at the end of the runway and you
prayed a lot when the runways were in use. The big end of FRED island was all runway
and aircraft hangers, with a single road running on the lagoon side all the way down the
narrow portion of the island. I do mean narrow. From in front of my tent, I could throw a
stone into the ocean, then turn and throw a stone into the lagoon. We were also only
seven feet above sea level!
Although small, FRED island had a Joint Task Group Headquarters building,
communications building, dinning facility, chapel, out door movie theater, base exchange
(store), barber shop, metal buildings (Billets) for the officers, dozens of tent billets for the
enlisted men, (there were no women on the island, or in the Atoll as far as I know),
enlisted club (Trade winds), officer club (Pau Hana) and boat landing. FRED island had
one tree about eight feet tall located by the chapel. WWII and previous nuclear bomb tests
took care of the rest. Because it was an isolated tour of duty, there was no kitchen police
(KP) that the troops had to perform, as this was accomplished by hired Hawaiians. I will
have to say that the food as a whole was excellent, but men putting out their after dinner
cigarettes in the mashed potatoes is something I will never get used to!
Eniwetok Atoll consists of dozens of tiny islands (about 40) formed in a rough circle,
with a lagoon of mostly calm waters in the center and shallow and deep entrances
between the islands to the sea. The center of the lagoon was deep enough (approximately
200 feet) for navy ships to enter through the deep entrances for delivery of materials and
personnel. From my island I could only see one other island ELMER, about two miles
away. For some unknown reason this island was also called PARRY. I did not know it at
the time but the next island from ELMER was named DAVID (Japtan) and on it a small
group of men (13) manning an Army Signal Corp radio receiver site; commanded by
Sergeant Orville Kelly. Their task was to receive all incoming messages from the Army
portion of the task force scattered around the islands and relay them to my island FRED.
All kinds of animals and electronic test equipment were placed on these islands by Army
personnel and retrieved after each SHOT. Within 15 years, Orville was diagnosed with
lymphatic cancer; became the first veteran awarded service connected benefits for
exposure to bomb radiation and died in June 1980, just 6 months after winning his seven-
year battle with the government! I would come to know this man before he died and go
on to help his widow Wanda, form the National Association of Atomic Veterans. That is
a whole other event in my life for future recall.
Operation IHardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in tlie Pacific 23
My main source of off duty activity was water skiing near the boat dock. I had never
water-skied before and it took some doing. For months, I used two skis and toward the
end of my tour was getting fairly good on one ski. This was great exercise because every
muscle in your body is used while skiing and I got dark as a peanut. My swim trunks got
old quick from the salt water and the legs were very loose. One day while on two skis I
got the bright idea of bumping my butt on the water, from a spread eagle position.
Without realizing it I gave myself a salt- water enema and hit the shore on a dead run for
the latrine! Not to smart and I haven't told very many people about that one!
One time the boat operator pulling me on two skis took me all the way around a navy
ship in the lagoon. This was out where the water turns dark blue and the sharks search for
garbage from the ship. Had I lost my ski for any reason, I would never have let go of that
rope, until back on shore!
I also spent hours snorkeling in the lagoon, with air pipe and goggles. It is very easy
to stay afloat in salt water and just stare at the lagoon bottom for helmet shells and other
goodies. The water was about 15 or 20 feet deep close to shore and on the bottom lay all
kinds of equipment from WWII; landing craft, tanks, engines, etc., which I would dive
down to and search. One day while snorkeling I was just floating and concentrating on the
lagoon bottom when I became aware of a presence. I had drifted into a large school of big
brownish/black fish and there must have been thousands of eyes watching me. Scared the
devil out of me and from then on I looked around while snorkeling, as it could have been
a shark. Many of the guys went spear hunting for sharks out in the deeper water and had
stories to tell, but that was not for me!
I also took long walks on the ocean side of the island and gathered live bullets, still
there, after almost 15 years since the island was invaded during WWII. All this time they
had been submerged in seawater and constantly agitated by the tides. I would break them
open, which was easy because the brass casings were brittle and the powder would still
ignite. One day I remember finding a live hand grenade with almost all the exterior
projectiles and firing mechanism worn off and threw it far out into the deep water. The
beach on the ocean side of the island was peculiar, as it was almost solid coral with very
little sand. Rumor was that if you walked off the edge of this coral you would be washed
under the island, so I never went too far out. No use pushing my luck.
Some of the men would "borrow" a large tablespoon from the mess hall and using the
round end hammer a silver dollar around its edge and make rings, after boring a hole in it.
Not a whole lot to do for thousands of men on a very small island!
There were many high paid civilians on the islands and on weekends, the gambling
would start around the clock. There was a Sergeant in the communications center who
kept one thousand dollars in our safe, just for gambling! He was professional and sent the
winnings home. He would start playing cards and if he lost 3 or 4 hundred dollars, would
stop, until the next week! Me, I was lucky to have ten dollars in my pocket.
We had been told that in the coming months testing of atomic devices would be
started, but not how many or that hydrogen bombs would be included. It did not matter at
Operation IHardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in tlie Pacific 24
the time because I did not know an atomic bomb from a hydrogen bomb and we were
assured that everj^hing would be safe. Only in the late 1970's did I find out that hydrogen
bombs are hundreds of times more powerful than atomic bombs. There was no talk about
danger from radiation produced by the bombs and at different times, we were issued film
badges to measure radiation. I now believe that I was fortunate working every day in a
concrete, air- conditioned communications building, which limited my radiation exposure
to some degree. From February 1958 to the beginning of May, I was busy working in the
communications center getting the equipment ready, before the bomb tests began.
Because the Operation was a Joint Military effort, there were two air force enlisted men,
including myself and one Army Warrant Officer (WO) as Maintenance Chief, to maintain
all equipment in the communications center on FRED. We provided the Operation with
long-haul secure circuits back to the states via Kwajalein and Okinawa.
I was a lost entity in a very busy Joint Operation, with no hope for promotion! At
first, I did not like WO Milton Learner, the maintenance chief, because he made me
work! Every piece of teletype and crypto equipment in that communications center we
cleaned and checked. All wiring was tested point to point and many operational checks
performed. The online secure systems were of the one-time tape variety and included the
B-2 Table, SSM-33, TT-160/SAMSON unit, all using SIGTOT Distributors. One- time
tape systems were considered the most secure devices available (Still Are). Off-line
equipment included the TSEC/KL-7, TSEC/KL-47 (NAVY) and the SP 3000, all Rotor
Secured devices. Only after the bomb testing started and we had no equipment problems
did I come to appreciate WO Learner's wisdom of preparation!
WO Learner was a big, tall, well -built Jewish man and could take his part in any scrap.
If angry, he would come nose to nose with you and talk you down! The communications
center had another Warrant Officer who out ranked WO Learner and was in charge of the
operations portion. He directed that all maintenance personnel leave the secure area when
Top Secret message traffic was being processed. WO Leaner turned red and stated that
we all had Top Secret security clearances and would remain in the area, unless operations
wanted to repair their own equipment and that ended the discussion!! Years later WO
Learner would play a part in my being hired as a civilian Crypto technician. Always mend
your bridges and never burn them behind you!
From the 6th of May through the 1 1th of August, no less than 35 nuclear devices were
tested at Eniwetok Atoll, Bikini Atoll and the Johnston Islands. This was an awful lot of
detonations in just over three months! All total 35.628 MEGATONS were detonated
which equals 1,781 Hiroshima size bombs! Later in life, I found out that the United States
and Soviet Union were negotiating a Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and both sides
wanted to test as many nuclear devices as possible before sitting down at the table! Every
detonation was called a "SHOT" and at that time I wasn't told their Code Names, how far
away they were, or their size (KILOTON=1,000 tons TNT, MEGATON= 1,000,000 tons
TNT). Any information that we received concerning the tests came a week late, when we
read the Hawaii Newspapers! Whenever I ask how far away the detonations were, I was
always told about 50 miles.
Operation IHardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 25
Years later I found out that the 22 detonations conducted at Eniwetok Atoll were never
more than 15 miles from the island of FRED and consisted of a mixture of atomic and
hydrogen devices. I also discovered that the 1 1 detonations that took place at Bikini Atoll,
about 150 miles east of Eniwetok, had a nasty habit of drifting their radioactive clouds
over us! I know this because in 1979 I had the government sent me the declassified
Operation Hardtack-I plans, which included wind drift charts for all SHOTS. I paid Uncle
Sam $35.00 for these Xerox copies; however, I am glad I did, as they are no longer
available! Once it became known that veterans were expressing an interest in nuclear
testing, almost all government sources dried up!
Some of the nuclear devices must have come by plane as they would be loaded on
flatbed trucks, covered with canvas and driven down the lagoon road for reloading onto
water landing craft. The trucks were guarded with machine guns and I remember
thinking, "Who's going to steal it and where would they go with it." We were never told
ahead of time that a SHOT was going to occur, but the day before they would anchor the
water tower down with cables and trucks.
For most of the SHOT detonations at Eniwetok all personnel would be assembled on
the lagoon side of the island, sitting with our backs to the blast, head on our knees and
our arms over our eyes Officers had welders goggles and could watch the whole show.
Only after the fireball died down could we turn and look at the cloud rising. I did learn to
respect (Fear) the tremendous power displayed by each detonation. A few seconds after
detonation, you would see this tremendous flash and then a wave of heat would feel like
the sun coming up on your back. The largest SHOT I ever witnessed was code named
OAK on 29 June and the heat on my back got to the point of becoming uncomfortable, in
fact it started to burn my skin right through my shirt. Once the fireball had subsided, I
turned around to see the water column rising into the sky and forming the familiar
mushroom cloud.
Then high winds hit me within minutes or seconds. It is hard to put a time frame on it
though because time really stands still when you see something like that. This was all
very scary of course but it was also really beautiful. There are so many colors to it,
especially in a Pacific island setting; there is the aqua green water and a brilliant red
residue from the fireball, and then the luminous white mushroom cloud going up into a
clear blue sky. It's awe- inspiring and my first emotion was pure amazement.
Only years later did I find out that the OAK detonation was a nine megaton hydrogen
bomb ( 700 times greater than the Hiroshima Bomb );detonated on a landing craft, about
15 miles from my island. We sandbagged the island beforehand, because it was only
seven feet above sea level. When OAK detonated, there was this wink of light that I
sensed through my closed eyes and arms, just like a flashbulb going off inside my head.
And when I turned to see the column of water rising out of the lagoon, it was so
tremendous that no one spoke. You could hear the sound waves bouncing off the islands
Boom! Boom!, as it came down the atoll chain .And when the sound wave hit Eniwetok,
the whole island shook and a hot wind blew our baseball caps off, but within seconds the
wind reversed and sucked in toward the bomb. The column was surrounded by ragged
Operation IHardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 26
haloes of white shock waves, which produced an electrical field. I actually experienced an
electrical field passing through me; my arm hair stood up and there was a cracking
sensation all through me that was as much felt as heard. I knew what this was because I
had felt the same effect when in the field of a high- powered radio antenna. There was
also a metallic taste in my mouth, like when chewing gum foil touches a tooth filling.
And that mushroom cloud just continued to build and grow until it had risen about sixty
or seventy thousand feet into the air and covered the entire atoll. A circle of islands about
fifteen miles in diameter were all shadowed by this terrifying, magnificent thing.
I remember talk of evacuating the islands because of concern about fallout, but it never
occurred. After fifteen or twenty minutes, the water in the lagoon began to recede until
the lagoon bottom lay exposed for about two hundred yards from shore. I could see
sunken PT boats and equipment from WWII that was normally covered by fifteen or
twenty feet of water. I really thought the earth had cracked and that the water was running
into it! I mean, it had to go somewhere, right?
Finally, the water stopped receding and it just stood there like a wall for a minute. I
thought of Moses and the parting of the Red Sea, for it must have looked like this! Then it
started coming back and I got a sick feeling, because here I was on this dinky little island,
not very wide, and here comes what seemed like the whole ocean. The wave hit the island
and sprayed up over the sandbags and all day long the water kept seesawing back and
forth. Because of this agitation, the lagoon water turned an ugly milk chocolate brown
and it started to rain very hard. At this point, the effects of the bomb detonation took on
apocalyptic gloom and I felt oppressed! Prometheus had stolen heavens fire and
Pandora's' box spilled a Nuclear Holocaust on mankind forever!
The bomb had created a column, which sucked up all the lagoon water for fifteen
miles around. I will never forget that. The lagoon water was off limits for swimming for
three days, but the ironic part of it was that the lagoon was our source of drinking water,
after it went through the desalinization plant, which did not remove radiation. The mighty
OAK had dug a crater 183 feet deep in the lagoon and 4,400 feet in diameter. It also made
a good size dent in my memory bank!
Another SHOT named PINE occurred on 27 July and was detonated in the lagoon, on
a barge off Janet Island, again about 15 miles from my island. This was a 2-MEGATON
bomb and the mushroom cloud rose to 66,000 feet. Later information I obtained from the
government stated this bomb used two primaries for detonation. This indicates the device
was a two stage thermonuclear bomb, using Tritium and Deuterium, (both by products of
hydrogen) and not the normal lithium deuteride. Through study, I found out this was done
to maximize the release of neutrons; therefore, the PINE SHOT must have been a
Neutron Bomb! During this 1950's time period the United States had announced it was
developing a Clean Bomb with very little radiation fallout and minimum blast damage;
however, the massive release of neutrons would kill or damage all living matter for miles
around. Such a bomb would permit U.S. ground troops to enter enemy towns immediately
after bombing, with little concern about radiation fallout or military resistance; and as a
Operation IHardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 27
bonus the buildings and utilities would still be intact! I still wonder if my fifteen miles
was far enough away!
It is interesting now, years later, to remember that the OAK and PINE SHOTS were
detonated at sea level; which means that an awful lot of coral became radioactive fallout
in the atmosphere and stratosphere throughout the planet. It would be years before this
"stuff came down! And today the medical profession wonders why there is so much
wide spread cancer!
Two other SHOTS of interest occurred during this test series, which again only
became known to me years later. Two missile warheads, each 3.8-MEGATON were
detonated at 252,000 and 141,000 feet. They were fired from Johnston Island on 31 July
(TEAK) and 1 1 August (ORANGE) to see what would happen if nuclear bombs were
used as weapons against incoming enemy nuclear missiles. Quite unexpected the United
States found out that hydrogen detonations in the atmosphere create an Electromagnetic
Pulse; which destroys solid state electronic equipment of all kinds. Communications all
over the Pacific, including Hawaii were wiped out for hours! This meant that all military
communications facilities, including aircraft would require special devices to filter out
such a pulse or havoc would occur. Knowledge of this Electromagnetic- Pulse (EMP)-
phenomena became ultra Top Secret for many years to come, until fixes were made.
My experiences at Eniwetok may sound to some as a fun time, but I can assure you that
nine months living on a small island with thousands of other men, (and one tree) was no
picnic! At age 23 and very naive, I did not give any thought about the 1945 Atomic
destruction of Hiroshima or Nagasaki. Having grown up during WWII, I was taught to
hate the Japanese and that the Atomic Bomb ended the war and saved thousands of
American soldiers' lives. This was 1958 and my country needed nuclear weapons to
defend our freedom and keep the world safe. In fact, I was proud to be part of this
Nuclear weapons development and would have agreed to their use on any enemy. This
mind set would change later when I discovered that the government of the United States
was not above lying to their own people and the world, concerning nuclear weapons or
reactors.
Operation Hardtack-I delivered the coup-de-grace' to Bikini and Eniwetok Atolls as
they would never again serve for the testing of nuclear devices. From 1946 to 1958,
Bikini withstood 23 detonations and Eniwetok 46 detonations. Both atolls are now so
radioactive that they can never again support human life, without damage. Over the years,
the United States spent hundreds of millions of dollars trying to clean up the atolls, to no
avail. Natives from these atolls still live as Wards of the United States on a single
congested island, where we relocated them over 52 years ago! Just as we had done to the
American Indian, the United States once again destroyed the physical environment and
cultural ecology of an entire race. What goes around comes around and we are not going
to like it! To add insult to injury, in later years the United States and Japan dumped
radioactive waste into the sea trenches of the Marshall Islands. Henry Kissinger summed
it all up, by saying "there are only a few thousand natives out there and who gives a
damn! " I do Henry, I do!
Operation IHardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 28
I was assigned to McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey to finish out my tour of duty.
The Air Force at that time was down sizing, so I got a 60-day early out and was
discharged 15 December 1958. Three years, ten months and one day of active service to
be exact!"
George [gmace8(at)comcast.net]
There is a postscript to this story. The struggle of the Atomic Veterans with a government
they once served has not been in vain. In the beginning, even the other service
organizations such as the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
would not acknowledge the National Association of Atomic Veterans (NAAV) as a
creditable organization, not already encompassed in their charters. A ground swell of
forthcoming Atomic Veterans however, would change this attitude and both
organizations now embrace the NAAV and do battle for it! The creation of Atomic
Veterans did not cease in 1963 with termination of atmospheric Nuclear Weapons tests.
Everyday, men and women continue to serve in nuclear powered submarines and surface
ships working and sleeping near nuclear reactors and soldiers use artillery shells treated
with depleted uranium.
Bills have been passed by the U.S. Congress listing certain cancers, which are now
recognized as possibility connected to radiation exposure and therefore are covered as
service connected disabilities by the Veterans Administration.
Tadd Kowalzyk - Atomic Veteran
I was an A/3c stationed at APO 1 87 from 28 Sep 57 to 27 Sep 58. I was in Det
25, 15th weather squadron as a weather observer doing upper air balloon flights.
Oak was a 9.8-megaton yield hydrogen bomb that was detonated in I think June
58 on the NNW side of the lagoon 24 1/2 miles from the island of Fred. The shot
left a crater in solid rock 1500 feet deep and 5 miles in diameter. The mushroom
cloud rose to a height of 200,000 feet as seen by our CPS9 weather radar which
was located near the base operations building on a tower about 80 feet high. Our
weather balloons could only average about 100,000 feet altitude and the upper
flow was to the NE, which means we should have been safe from fallout. The
upper level of the cloud sheared off and moved SSE and some landed on Fred
and Japtan.
For Oak, I and those of my unit not directly at work, were in formation facing
away from the blast with left arms over our eyes wearing long leg and sleeve
fatigues. At detonation, I could see the outline of my barracks across the road
and felt an instant "sunburn" to my neck and back as well as the back facing
portions of my ears. We were told not to look at the blast until the count got back
to 10 but at 4 I snuck a look with my left eye covered. I was only 19 and still not
very smart and paid for it with dead spots on my optic nerve, which are there to
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 29
this date. Through the miracle of binocular vision and the brain filling the blank
spots I still have 20/20 vision.
When I first arrived at Eniwetok in Sep 57 I was told swimming was only
allowed in the roped off area near the Coast Guard station in the lagoon. Any
other location that we went in the water we called skin diving.
I have a Photo of an underwater shot that was about 1 mile NW of the garbage
pier. No flash, no sound but a tall column of water and spray that splashed my
work location which was on the SW end of the island of Fred just S of the
garbage pier.
When I left AP0187, I was stationed at Dow AFB, ME. and was going bald. I
suspect that was from the radiation. The hair grew back over time. I am not
sure but believe I am one of only two weathermen out of about 20 during the
testing of Hardtack that is still alive. The other is Peter Pachetti who must be in
his 80s now. I am 71.
I went aboard the Boxer on a rare day off to check the ship store. A few years
later, I served about 18 months aboard MSTS ships from Agana, Guam and
Rodman naval base, Panama as a mobile weatherman supporting photo
mapping and got to spend about two weeks at Eniwetok awaiting transportation
to Samoa. I think that was in 1964.
I recall that shortly after OAK when fallout was a possibility, my commander
Captain Ragland had all our radiak detectors, which we wore all the time
collected and placed them in the unit safe. They were never again seen. Two
days after OAK a CI 31 from Washington DC arrived and every person who
deplaned did so in full protective gear. They walked all around the Island
checking for radiation. My supervisor at the time an Electronic tech Louis B
Atkins a MSGT asked one of them why the protective gear and the answer was,
"normal procedure."
You wonder about the effects on the Marshallese. The US government did a
cleanup that concluded not many years ago. They gathered up as much of the
radioactive material that they could, placed it on one of the islands and
entombed it in concrete. They then went to Majuro and told the native
people they could return home. One of the things the US promised those
people in 1945 that for the use of their atoll, they would receive a stipend (I do
not know how much) and they could attend any university paid in full by the US
government. When in 1945 the US offered the Marshalese a temporary island at
Ugelang and free education anywhere in exchange for the use of Eniwetok, they
thought they were dealing with inferiors. Only a very few took the US up on the
free schooling. One of the few who went to school was the chief when they were
removed from Eniwetok the second time which I think was in the 80s.
Operation IHardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 30
After a very short period, it became clear that it was still not safe to be there
and we offered them another similar island. One of the very few who had
accepted the offer of college attended the University of Hawaii and attained a
bachelor's degree. He just happened to be present when the offer of a similar
island was made and he said, "okay we want Hilo."
One of the bomb craters from an early A Bomb test was on the South side of
Fred a few hundred yards from my barracks on the coral reef. It was a favorite
location to "skin dive" for seashells.
During my two weeks in the 60s, awaiting transportation to Samoa I went to a
beer bust near there and went swimming in the Ocean. From the reef at ankle
deep, a single step and we were in water 6000 fathoms deep.
Another kind of test that involved the Boxer and other ships and all personnel
there was "SHAD" which was a biological weapons decontamination test. They
sprayed what was then believed to be a harmless virus then tried to clean it up.
The man who replaced my PCS was Albert Mayo who now has a 100% disability
rating caused by that "harmless virus."
A few years ago 1998 or 1999 I think, I wrote to the DNA in Nevada now
known by a different name (DTRA)to get radiation information just in case it
finally gets to me and was answered by a Navy Captain who denied I was ever
there. I have since received a record of being stationed there and a dose reading
which is very low. The fallout from OAK and a shot at Bikini a few weeks earlier
were not recorded.
A short while after arriving at Dow AFB, ME in October 1958 I was evaluated
for radiation and was told I had the received the equivalent of 10 to 15
thousand chest X-rays. That exam was never made a part of my medical records
and I was told it was classified very highly and I was not supposed to tell anyone.
Tadd Kowalzyk, MSGT, USAF, Retired, 31 Jul 1979
305 E Main St
Wrightstown, NJ 08562-2340
tkowa lzyk@ao I . com
Bud Feurt - Atomic Veteran
I was on the USS Boxer CVS 21 for all of the shots in "Operation Hardtack &
Project Newsreel". I believe there was 28 shots altogether according to my
DTRA (Defense Threat Reduction Agency) report. The first shots where
launched from our ship with balloons and where detonated so far away that we
could only see a flash on the horizon, but each got closer and closer. I remember
one shot were I receive a load of shrapnel in my face in the form of melted glass,
which I still pick out from time to time fifty two years later. There were shots on
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 3 1
islands shots, on barges and shots that where dropped from airplanes. There
were shots that killed many animals. I went through the two underwater shots
(Wahoo & Umbrella) where ships were tossed in the air like toys and I thought
the Umbrella shot was going to roll our ship over. The biggest shots (Teak and
Orange) where in the Johnson Islands. At that time we where ordered on deck in
white uniforms and doused with sun tan oil, which did not do any good, we all
were pretty well tanned from the sun and still got burned from the blast. The shot
was spectacular and hard to describe to anyone that was not there. We had our
backs turned and our eyes covered. When the shot went off the light was many
times brighter than the sun. With my eyes closed and covered, I could see the
bones in my arms. When I finally peeked down at the deck, there was no color in
anything just black and white from the shadows. The heat was unbearable and
there was some panic and screaming. It was brighter than day at 2400 hours and
a huge yellow cloud in the sky. It stayed day light for approx. 30 to 45 minutes, a
rainbow of many colored rings popped from the yellow cloud, slowly a red ring
closed in from around the horizon with daylight on one side and night on the
other. A shaft of purple light came out of the yellow cloud and penetrated deep
into the sea. The Russians were on a ship and filmed the whole thing and we
could not even have a Brownie Hawk Eye camera.
The living conditions on the ship were lousy, and liberty was occasionally limited
to a small atoll named NAN. There were no women, but lots of drinking which
usually ended in a brawl. Once, we were allowed to go on liberty on Kwajalein,
but a riot broke out and destroyed the EM club. We were never allowed to go
back.
The food was bad and I can remember powdered eggs and powdered milk three
times a day for weeks. The bread was full of cockroaches, the candy bars were
full of weevils, and rats ran around all over the ship. Some of us lived on K and C
rations we got from the Marines we evacuated from one of the islands.
When we got back to the States, the crew was broken up and sent to different
ships. I only had 3 months left to go so they sent me to the Kearsarge CVS 33.
While I was on the Kearsarge I was given my shipping over lecture by a chief
warrant officer that was on the Boxer, He told me I was recommended to reenlist.
I told him that if there was any chance I might get that kind of duty again I was
not going to ship over. He said "I don't blame you a bit that was a hell ship" and
end of my shipping over lecture.
I am a lifetime member of the National Association of Atomic Veterans and I
have been trying to get some recognition for being the guinea pig at the atomic
tests. I have talked to my congressman Duncan Hunter and have made contact
with 60 Minutes. The Canadian atomic veterans got $22,000 compensation and
the Japanese get special medical treatment and $1 ,300 a month.
We cannot even get a service medal.
Operation IHardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 32
The Veteran Hospital in San Diego has been taking very good care of me and is
keeping a close eye on my health. They have removed a tumor from my chest
and are monitoring some nodules in my thyroid. I feel that I am very lucky that
this is the only problem I have with the ionizing radiation.
Leo "BUD" Feurt
12709 Kaitz ST.
Poway CA. 92064
Email bufeurt@yahoo.com
Ph 858-748-7204
Atomic Veteran Lloyd Teed
All Atomic Veteran's stories are moving, but the saga of Airman Third Class
Lloyd Teed is especially poignant because the man was called to perform his
duty, was subjected to nuclear radiation and died at an early age as a result of
multiple tumors. He succumbed to the effects of ionizing radiation from his
participation in Operation Castle in 1954. He was 32 when he died. He looked
70!
After attending schooling at Lackland and Shepard Air Force bases. Airman
Teed participated in nuclear tests and he along with other crewmembers
developed leukemia. His radiation exposure occurred when their plane flew into
or through a Mushroom Cloud. Air Force doctors informed him that he might be
sterile or have malformed children. The few details he mentioned to his widow
such as, the tests took place over water, they blew away an island and that it
was the first hydrogen bomb test could only mean the 1952 "IVY" series ~ shot
"Mike". It is certain that he participated in additional tests, since these individuals,
who were trained and had security clearances, were regularly utilized for the
Nuclear Test Program. The 509th Bomb Wing was dedicated to Nuclear testing
and was not used as a combat unit during Lloyd's service years. The following
hospitalization and diagnosis of leukemia leads to an assumption that he also
participated in the Castle test, shot Bravo. He was placed on permanent
disability while suffering from Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia for which he received
massive doses of Nitrogen Mustard. His death certificate is conveniently a
Casualty Report and makes no mention of ionizing radiation exposure. Four
years prior to his death. Airman Ted's VA doctor. Dr. Dessel informed him that
he was the last survivor of the crewmembers of his plane that flew through the
radiation cloud.
The reader is directed to http://www.atomicvetkin.eom/index.php#whatsnew for
the complete story written by his widow.
Nuclear Testing Facts
The United States government conducted aboveground nuclear tests in the
South Pacific and in the state of Nevada between 1945 and 1962. Many people
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 33
in the military at the time were part of training exercises in the area and were
exposed to ionizing radiation from these tests. Others were exposed to radiation
while working at facilities making the bombs or at other nuclear sites. More
information on this topic is available in a document, Cancer Among Military
Personnel Exposed to Nuclear Weapons.
Non-military people living near or downwind of nuclear test sites may have also
been exposed to radioactive byproducts. Levels of radiation are likely to be
higher near these sites, but some radioactive particles from the tests entered the
atmosphere and traveled great distances, landing thousands of miles away from
the original site. While exposure levels were likely to be higher at the time of
testing, some radiation in the soil today is the result of these tests.
The DoD has released a number of films on nuclear testing that may be ordered.
The descriptions of some of the films are described here.
"0800056 - Enewetak Cleanup Produced by the Defense Nuclear Agency - No
date - 13:15 - Color - This video shows the actions being taken to cleanup the
islands comprising Enewetak Atoll so that the previous inhabitants could return
to live on some of them. The inhabitants were forced to relocate to other islands
in 1948 when the United States began atmospheric testing of nuclear devices at
the Pacific Proving Ground. Over the 1948-1958 period, 43 tests were conducted
on or near Enewetak Atoll.
Numerous decaying, abandoned buildings are shown that had to be demolished,
while others were still suitable for use by the returning people. Homes, schools
and government buildings had to be built.
The film details the radiation studies conducted to determine the extent of
contamination and the uptake of radioactive particles by plants. Some parts of
the Atoll would never be suitable for habitation because of the extent of
contamination. One of the decontamination activities planned was removing the
contaminated soil, transporting it to craters on one of the highly contaminated
islands, and encasing it in concrete.
Those organizations cooperating in the cleanup effort included the Atomic
Energy Commission, the Coast Guard, the Defense Nuclear Agency, and a
marine biology firm.
0800000 - Nuclear Film Declassification Project / Nuclear Testing Review - 25:00
- Color - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has embarked on the Nuclear
Weapons Film Declassification Project to make available to the public and many
users films that contain historically significant events in the development of the
U.S. nuclear weapons program. This is being done under the Department of
Energy's Openness Initiative. The film project is being carried out by DOE's
Albuquerque Operations Office (AL) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of
Defense (DoD).
Operation l-lardtacl< 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 34
Comments from a Research Physicist
Dr. Sternglass, a highly respected physicist, studied the effects of fallout and
radiation from nuclear reactors. These comments excerpted from
http ://www.ratical .org/radiation/inetSeries/nwEJS .html clearly express his feelings
about nuclear energy and atomic bomb testing. The following is taken from
chapter 3 in the 1982 book Nuclear Witnesses, Insiders Spea/c Out describing
Dr. Ernest J. Sternglass, at the time the director of the Department of
Radiological Physics at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School. The editor
suggests the reader access this very informative article, [text in italics denotes the
author's—Leslie Freeman's—voice.]
"/ was giving a paper at a health physics meeting here in Pittsburgh. I figured, at least
here, there would be some newspaper reporters. Someone told me, go, and talk to one of
the reporters in the newsroom. So I did. I gave him a rundown of the significance of my
findings. He took notes and said he'd do a story. That story never got out on the wires.
Some time later I told someone at the AP office in Pittsburgh about my findings. Dr.
Sternglass, how come you didn't give us this story before?' I said, I did give it to you.
There was a stringer. ' And I gave him his name. He said, Til look it up. ' And he called
me up and said, Yhere is no such individual working for Associated Press. ' Who had I
spoken to? I never found out "
After World War II the U.S. military was intent upon building up its weapons arsenal
But Americans were sick of war. The military figured that the way to get their weapons
program funded was to make the bomb look "peaceful and happy, " to take away the
spectre of war and transform atomic energy into a "promise for peace." The "peaceful
atom " was a cover for the continued proliferation of weapons development It was an
elaborate lie. Dr. Sternglass gradually realized how far-reaching the lie had been. "The
military was behind everything. "
"Back in 1947 they knew. The data had been gathered at Argonne National Laboratory.
[1] They knew that the newborn puppies, whose mothers had been fed small amounts of
radioactive strontium-90, were dying of underdevelopment and serious birth defects. The
government knew, and decided to keep it secret. The government set up the study. The
government knew the results. And the government kept those residts from the American
people. Why?"
We are at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School in the office of the director of the
Department of Radiological Physics, Dr. Ernest Sternglass. . . . He came to the United
States from Nazi Germany when he was fourteen, in 1938. He leans forward, gesturing
with his hands. "I know how a government can be totally destructive of its own people,
how people in the highest level of government can use lies to achieve their political
purposes. "
Dr. Sternglass has been working for almost twenty years to publicize the dangers of low-
level radiation. His article on the increased incidence of leukemia from fallout was
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 35
published in Science in the spring of 1963. The Atomic Energy Commission "pooh-
poohed the whole thing. " They said his statistics "weren't good enough. " His findings
threatened the nuclear establishment. The government and the nuclear industry tried to
discredit his evidence by making Dr. Sternglass out to be a "kook. " It took courage to
continue to speak out . . .
The year 1947 was a turning point for Sternglass. . . . [he] had the opportunity to meet
Einstein in person.
"The military supports secrecy, and the miUtary is behind the entire nuclear reactor
program, and behind the entire Plowshare Program. It's behind everything connected with
nuclear energy—even artificial hearts powered with plutonium pacemakers. The military
feels that they need to use nuclear weapons in order to protect this nation. You have to be
willing to use the weapons. If you yourself are suspected of believing that the weapons
are too poisonous to use, then they lose their value as a military deterrent. But, if we're
going to get our people to fund these weapons and our soldiers to use them, they can't be
told that the fallout will go back and kill their babies. Say you're a soldier, and someone
hands you a gun and says, "I want you to go out now. And I've got a little gadget here that
is guaranteed to really keep the Russians away. It's got two barrels on it. Now you worry
about this one barrel. Let's point it at the Russians. I want you to pull that trigger when I
tell you to."
And you say, "What's the other barrel for?"
He says, "Well, the other barrel is aimed at your baby at home."
Would you pull that trigger?
So they tell you there's only one barrel to the gun. Otherwise they couldn't get decent,
patriotic people, willing to defend their families from being taken over by the Commies,
to use those weapons and pull the triggers whenever they want them to.
That is the entire rationale behind the avid support of nuclear energy versus coal, versus
solar, versus every other aspect of energy generation. Because only nuclear energy makes
bombs. The military-industrial complex could not sell nuclear energy if the public knew
that the use of nuclear weapons would destroy the very thing we are trying to protect, the
very thing that in the past we have asked soldiers to go out into the field and give their
lives for—namely the survival of their way of life, of their children, and their children's
children, for which people are willing to give their lives. But to ask people to go and use a
weapon whose poisonous gases would cripple the minds of their children and destroy
their bodies for generations to come— could you sell that as a weapon? To Congress? Or
to the soldiers who were going to be asked to die in the battlefield under the nuclear
mushrooms of Europe? "
Source: http://www.ratical.org/radiation/metSeries/nwEJS.html
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Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 36
Radiation Effects
Higher frequency ultraviolet radiation begins to have enough energy to break
chemical bonds. X-ray and gamma ray radiation, which are at the upper end of
magnetic radiation, have very high frequency -in the range of 100 billion billion
Hertz-and very short wavelengths-1 million millionth of a meter. Radiation in
this range has extremely high energy. It has enough energy to strip off electrons
or, in the case of very high-energy radiation, break up the nucleus of atoms.
Ionization is the process in which a charged portion of a molecule (usually an
electron) is given enough energy to break away from the atom. This process
results in the formation of two charged particles or ions: the molecule with a net
positive charge, and the free electron with a negative charge. Radiation is
absorbed by the material it penetrates by a process known as ionization.
Radiation creates ions in the material that it passes through, and some or all of
the radiation energy is lost during this process. An ion is an atom, group of
atoms, or a particle with a positive or negative charge. Ionization is any process
that changes the electrical balance within an atom. Ionization means the ability to
dislodge an electron from an atom
Each ionization releases approximately 33 electron volts (eV) of energy. Material
surrounding the atom absorbs the energy. Compared to other types of radiation
that may be absorbed, ionizing radiation deposits a large amount of energy into a
small area. In fact, the 33 eV from one ionization is more than enough energy to
disrupt the chemical bond between two carbon atoms. All ionizing radiation is
capable, directly or indirectly, of removing electrons from most molecules.
Source; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Alpha and beta particles are directly ionizing because they carry a charge and
can, therefore, interact directly with electrons. Radioactive materials usually
release alpha particles, which are the nuclei of helium, beta particles, which are
quickly moving electrons or positrons, or gamma rays. Alpha and beta particles
can often be stopped by a piece of paper or a sheet of aluminum. They cause
most damage when they are emitted inside the human body. Gamma rays are
less ionizing than either alpha or beta particles, and protection against gammas
requires thicker shielding. The damage they produce is similar to that caused by
X-rays, and include burns and also cancer, through mutations. Human biology
resists germline mutation by either correcting the changes in the DNA or inducing
apoptosis in the mutated cell.
The units used to measure ionizing radiation are rather complex. The ionizing
effects of radiation are measured by units of exposure:
• The coulomb per kilogram (C/kg) is the Si unit of ionizing radiation
exposure, and measures the amount of radiation required to create 1
coulomb of charge of each polarity in 1 kilogram of matter.
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 37
• The roentgen (R) is an older traditional unit that is almost out of use,
which represented the amount of radiation required to liberate 1 esu of
charge of each polarity in 1 cubic centimeter of dry air. 1 Roentgen =
2.58x10-" C/kg
The basic unit of radiation dose absorbed in tissue is the gray (Gy), where one
gray represents the deposition of one joule of energy per kilogram of tissue.
Neutrons and alpha particles cause more damage per gray than gamma or beta
radiation so another unit, the sievert (Sv) is used in setting radiological protection
standards. This unit of measurement takes into account biological effects of
different types of radiation. One gray of beta or gamma radiation has one sievert
of biological effect, one gray of alpha particles has 20 Sv effect and one gray of
neutrons is equivalent to around 10 Sv (depending on their energy). Since the
sievert is a relatively large value, dose to humans is normally measured in
millisieverts (mSv), one-thousandth of a sievert.
The becquerel (Bq) is a unit or measure of actual radioactivity in material (as
distinct from the radiation it emits, or the human dose from that), with reference
to the number of nuclear disintegrations per second (1 Bq = 1 disintegration/sec).
Quantities of radioactive material are commonly estimated by measuring the
amount of intrinsic radioactivity in becquerels - one Bq of radioactive material is
that amount which has an average of one disintegration per second, i.e. an
activity of 1 Bq.
Older units of radiation measurement continue in use in some literature:
1 gray = 1 00 rads
1 sievert = 1 00 rem
1 becquerel = 27 picocuries or 2.7 x 10"" curies
One curie was originally the activity of one gram of radium-226, and represents
3.7 X 10^° disintegrations per second (Bq).
Alpha particles (symbol a) are a type of ionizing radiation ejected by the nuclei of
some unstable atoms. They are large subatomic fragments consisting of two
protons and two neutrons.
The health effects of alpha particles depend heavily upon how exposure takes
place. External exposure (external to the body) is of far less concern than
internal exposure, because alpha particles lack the energy to penetrate the outer
dead layer of skin. However, if alpha emitters have been inhaled, (remember my
comment on the irradiated dust) ingested (swallowed, i.e., desalinated irradiated
water), or absorbed into the blood stream, sensitive living tissue can be exposed
to alpha radiation. The resulting biological damage increases the risk of
cancer; in particular, alpha radiation is known to cause lung cancer in
humans when alpha emitters are inhaled.
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Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 38
Beta particles are subatomic particles ejected from the nucleus of some
radioactive atoms. They are equivalent to electrons. The difference is that beta
particles originate in the nucleus and electrons originate outside the nucleus.
If ionizing radiation passes through a cell in the body, it can lead to mutations
(changes) in the cell's DNA, the part of the cell that contains its genes
(blueprints). This could contribute to cancer, or to the death of the cell. The
amount of damage in the cell is related to the dose of radiation it receives. The
damage takes place in only a fraction of a second, but other changes such as
the beginning of cancer may take years to develop.
Ionizing Radiation and Cancer
Ionizing radiation is a proven human carcinogen (cancer causing agent). Ionizing
radiation damages tissue by causing ionization, which disrupts molecules directly
and produces highly reactive free radicals, which attack nearby cells and,
consequently, biological molecules suffer local disruption. This phenomena may
exceed the body's capacity to repair the damage and may also cause mutations
in cells currently undergoing replication. The evidence for this comes from many
different sources, including studies of atomic bomb survivors in Japan, people
exposed during the Chernobyl nuclear accident, people treated with high doses
of radiation for cancer and other conditions, and people exposed to high levels of
radiation at work, such as uranium miners. The amount of damage done to
matter (especially living tissue) by ionizing radiation is more closely related to the
amount of energy deposited rather than the charge. This is called the absorbed
dose.
Most studies on radiation and cancer risk have looked at people exposed to very
high doses of radiation. It is harder to measure the much smaller increase in
cancer risk that might come from much lower levels of radiation exposure. Most
studies have not been able to detect an increased risk of cancer among people
exposed to low levels of radiation. For example, people living at high altitudes,
which are exposed to more natural background radiation from cosmic rays than
people living at sea level, do not have noticeably higher cancer rates.
Most scientists and regulatory agencies agree that even small doses of
ionizing radiation increase cancer risk, although by a very small amount. In
general, the risk of cancer from radiation exposure increases as the dose
of radiation increases. Likewise, the lower the exposure is, the smaller the
increase in risk. However, there is no threshold below which ionizing
radiation is thought to be totally safe.
Although radiation exposure affects the occurrence of various types of cancer, it
does not affect their aggressiveness (tendency to grow and spread).
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Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 39
Types of Cancer Linked to Ionizing Radiation
Ionizing radiation increases the risk of certain types of cancer.
The thyroid gland and bone marrow are particularly sensitive to radiation.
Leukemia, a type of cancer that arises in the bone marrow, is the most common
radiation-induced cancer. Leukemia may appear as early as a few years after
radiation exposure.
Other types of cancer can also result from radiation exposure, although they may
take longer to develop (usually at least 10 to 15 years). Some of the other
cancers most strongly linked to radiation exposure in studies include:
Lung cancer
Skin cancer
Thyroid cancer
Multiple myeloma
Breast cancer
Stomach cancer
These are not necessarily the only cancer types that may be linked to radiation,
however. The types of cancer linked to radiation are also affected by the part of
the body that is exposed. For example, people who get pelvic radiation therapy
would not be expected to have higher rates of cancers in the head and neck
because these areas were not exposed to radiation.
Sources of Ionizing Radiation
People may be exposed to ionizing radiation from three main sources:
Acute ionizing radiation comes from exposure to an atomic explosion or
reactor meltdown, e.g., Chernobyl
Chronic ionizing radiation comes from continued exposure to nuclear
explosions over time or living in proximity to radiation sources, e.g., Chernobyl
Natural background radiation comes from cosmic rays from our solar system
and radioactive elements normally present in the soil. This is the major
contributor to worldwide radiation exposure.
Medical radiation comes in the form of diagnostic x-rays and other tests, as well
as from radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is currently used to treat some types
of cancer and involves dosages many thousand times higher than those used in
diagnostic x-rays.
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Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 40
Non-medical, man-made radiation can come from workplace and other
sources, and is a result of above ground nuclear weapons testing that took place
before 1962. source: American cancer society
Nuclear Fallout
Strontium - Sr-90 can be inhaled, but ingestion in food and water is the greatest
health concern. Once in the body, Sr-90 acts like calcium and is readily
incorporated into bones and teeth, where it can cause cancers of the bone, bone
marrow, and soft tissues around the bone.
Sr-90 decays to yttrium 90 (Y-90), which in turn decays by beta radiation so that
wherever Sr-90 is present Y-90 is also present. Because of the beta radiation, Y-
90 poses a risk of burns to the eyes and on the skin from external exposure.
For more information on Sr-90, see the Public Health Statement by the Agency
for
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry at littp://www.atsdr.cdc.qov/toxprofiles/phs149.litml , or visit tlie
Environmental Protection Agency at littp://vvvvw.epa.qov/radiation/radionuclides/strontium.litm .
Plutonium-239 readily undergoes fission, and is used for nuclear weapons and
for energy. Plutonium has 15 isotopes with mass numbers ranging from 232 to
246. All isotopes of plutonium are radioactive, but they have widely varying half-
lives. The half-life is the time it takes for half the atoms of an element to decay.
The half life of Pu-239 is 24,000 years. Plutonium-239 and 241 are fissile,
meaning the nuclei of their atoms can break apart by being bombarded by slow
moving thermal neutrons, releasing energy, gamma radiation and more
neutrons. These can therefore sustain a nuclear chain reaction, leading to
applications in nuclear weapons and nuclear reactors.
Gamma rays from radioactive decay commonly have energies of a few hundred
keV, and almost always less than 10 MeV. The upper limit for such energies is
about 20 MeV, and there is no lower limit.
Because they are a form of ionizing radiation , gamma rays can cause serious
damage when absorbed by living tissue, and are therefore a health hazard.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamma_radiation
Duty, Honor, Cancer
According to the Congressional Record over 200,000 "atomic veterans," the
servicemen exposed to radiation in American tests of nuclear weapons were
involved in some capacity. The Veterans Administration denies most of the
disability claims of atomic veterans, and many veterans refuse to believe
illnesses and birth defects were not caused by their service. Testimony from
N.A.A.V. members has helped atomic veterans gain recognition from the
Government. The Veterans Administration agreed to provide treatment of
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 41
illnesses that might have been caused by exposure. By the end of May, 1983 the
agency had received more than 3,300 claims for disability compensation for
atomic veterans and had awarded compensation to 69. Wow!
Diseases Associated with Ionizing Radiation Exposure
The VA has recognized, or presumed, certain cancers and health problems as
associated with ionizing radiation exposure during military service. These are
called "presumptive diseases."
If an Atomic Veteran or a Veteran who participated in another radiation-risk
activity develops one of the diseases shown below, VA presumes the disease is
related to ionizing radiation exposure in service and will provide
appropriate disability compensation:
■ Bronchiolo-alveolar cancer (a rare form of lung cancer). Cancer of the Bile
ducts. Bone, Brain, Breast, Colon, Esophagus, Gall bladder. Liver
(primary site) (except if cirrhosis or hepatitis B is indicated). Lung,
Pancreas, Pharynx, Ovary, Salivary gland. Small intestine. Stomach,
Thyroid, Urinary tract (kidney/renal, pelvis, ureter, urinary bladder, and
urethra). Leukemia (except chronic lymphocytic leukemia). Lymphomas
(except Hodgkin's disease). Multiple myeloma
The National Association of Atomic Veterans Web site states there are now as
many as 195,000 atomic veterans left across America who either don't know that
their oath of secrecy about their service has been rescinded, or are not aware of
the potential monetary benefits due them for their radiation induced illnesses.
Many of the surviving atomic veterans have long ago given up on seeking any
medical or financial compensation for their service-related injuries, e.g., skin
cancer, prostate cancer, bone cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and gall bladder
problems.
However, the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs has refused numerous
applications for compensation, saying that according to its calculations the
radiation exposure received was not enough to account for the illnesses.
That is a far stretch when you consider that there was no instrumentation
monitoring radiation other than lapel worn dosimeters, and they were never
checked, at least not during my tenure. I am a VA patient. Category 6 . L
frequently have melanoma on my face, and usually require surgery at least once
per year. There is no history of this type of cancer, or any skin cancer in my
family.
The United States government should compensate the atomic veterans for the
risk of exposure to nuclear radiation. The Canadian government has
compensated their veterans, an the United States gave Japanese fishermen on
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 42
the boat Lucky Dragon about $18,350 each after exposure to radioactive ash
from a hydrogen bomb test on Bikini Atoll in 1954.
Rep. Bob Filner, Chairman of the House Veterans Committee has expressed his
support of HR 2573. Now Radiated Veterans, families and allies, need the
further support of the entire Committee, the entire House of Representative, the
U.S. Senate and the President so the bill can be made Law. "Time is Running
Out" so keep the messages flowing and support HR 2573 Atomic Veterans
Relief Act.
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific
43
Senator Bob Filner Letter
EEVCCHAS'
PHIW ■IIQA41.<aQM)A
ttrw miYtiL
CpMMJrTEf QN VETE HAMS' AFFAIitS
OftJE HyNWEOFlfVEWTH CW^QHESS
htspMWDlariiniliDUfta.i^v
.bJJU4'iM^^lo»
May 24, 2010
Richard FL EMctt
] 809 Clearwater Rtl.
Fayelleville, AR 72704
Dear Richard:
Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding the Atomic Veterans Rehef Act,
H,R. 2573, 1 appreciate hearing from you on this imponanl is^^uc.
As you may knnw, H.R. 2573 woLild revise the eligibifity criteria for presumption
of service connection oi'ceilain diseases and disabilities for veterans exposed to
ionii:ing radiation during iniiitaiy service. 1 am committed U) ensuring that our
v^eicrans are provided vvitli [he benefits that they have earned and deserve, and )
assure you that \hh bill will receive carcTu! consideratton by the Committee,
Again, thank you for sharing your concerns on this imponant issiicj, As Chainnan
of the Hhum Coniitiitlee on Veterans" AtTairs. piease rest assured that I will
continue lo work hard to honor our nation's promise to care for oiir veterans.
BOB FILNER
Chairman
KR/inw
Operation Hardtack 1
Walter E. Venator
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Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 44
The Atomic Veteran Medal
House Bill # HR 2553
111TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION H. R. 2553
To authorize the award of a military service medal to members of the Armed
Forces who were exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of participation in the
testing of nuclear weapons or under other circumstances.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MAY 21, 2009
Mr. TIAHRT (for himself, Mr. MOORE of Kansas, Ms. BERKLEY, Mr. GINGREY
of Georgia, Mr. MORAN of Kansas, Ms. BORDALLO, and Mr. LOEBSACK)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed
Services
A BILL
To authorize the award of a military service medal to members of the Armed
Forces who were exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of participation in the
testing of nuclear weapons or under other circumstances.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States
of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the "Atomic Veterans Service Medal Act".
•HR2553IH
SEC. 2. ATOMIC VETERANS SERVICE MEDAL
a)The Secretary of Defense shall design and produce a military service medal, to
be known as the "Atomic Veterans Service Medal", to honor retired and former
members of the Armed Forces who are radiation-exposed veterans (as such
term is defined in section 1 11 2(c)(3) of title 38, United States (Code).
(b) DISTRIBUTION OF MEDAL.—
(1) ISSUANCE TO RETIRED AND FORMER MEMBERS.— At the request of a
radiation-exposed veteran, the Secretary of Defense shall issue the Atomic
Veterans Service Medal to the veteran.
(2) ISSUANCE TO NEXT-OF-KIN.— In the case of a radiation-exposed veteran
who is deceased, the Secretary may provide for issuance of the Atomic Veterans
Service Medal to the next-of-kin of the person.
(3) APPLICATION. — The Secretary shall prepare and disseminate as
appropriate an application by which radiation-exposed veterans and their next-of
kin may apply to receive the Atomic Veterans Service Medal.
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 45
Senate Bill # S. 1128
111TH CONGRESS
1STSESSI0NS. 1128
To authorize the award of a military service medal to members of the Armed
Forces who were exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of participation in the
testing of nuclear weapons or under other circumstances.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
MAY 21, 2009
Mr. ROBERTS (for himself and Mr. BROWNBACK) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
A BILL
To authorize the award of a military service medal to members of the Armed
Forces who were exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of participation in the
testing of nuclear weapons or under other circumstances.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States
of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the "Atomic Veterans Service Medal Act".
SEC. 2. ATOMIC VETERANS SERVICE MEDAL.
(a) SERVICE MEDAL REQUIRED.— The Secretary of Defense shall design and
produce a military service medal, to be known as the "Atomic Veterans Service
Medal", to honor retired and former members of the Armed Forces who are
radiation-exposed veterans (as such term is defined in section 1 11 2(c)(3) of title
38, United States Code).
(b) DISTRIBUTION OF MEDAL.—
(1) ISSUANCE TO RETIRED AND FORMER MEMBERS.— At the request of a
radiation-exposed veteran, the Secretary of Defense shall issue the Atomic
Veterans Service Medal to the veteran.
(2) ISSUANCE TO NEXT-OF-KIN.— In the case of a radiation-exposed veteran
who is deceased, the Secretary may provide for issuance of the Atomic Veterans
Service Medal to the next-of-kin of the person.
(3) APPLICATION. — The Secretary shall prepare and disseminate as
appropriate an application by which radiation-exposed veterans and their next-of
kin may apply to receive the Atomic Veterans Service Medal.
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Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 46
Recognition of Forgotten Atomic Veterans and their Surviving
Spouses Act of 2007
HR 3794 IH
A BILL
To improve the availability of benefits for veterans and the surviving spouses of veterans who were exposed
while in military service to ionizing radiation, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress
assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the 'Recognition of Forgotten Atomic Veterans and their Surviving Spouses Act of
2007'.
SEC. 2. IMPROVED ACCESS FOR VETERANS AND SURVIVING SPOUSES TO BENEFITS UNDER
RADIATION EXPOSURE COMPENSATION ACT.
(a) Identification of Living Atomic Veterans and Survivmg Spouses of Deceased Atomic Veterans- The
Attorney General shall—
( 1 ) obtain from the files of the Operations Office of the Department of Energy in Nevada records showmg
the identity of all atomic veterans;
(2) with respect to each atomic veteran for whom records are obtained under paragraph (1), use the service
serial number of that veteran to obtain the veteran's social security number;
(3) with respect to each such atomic veteran who is living—
(A) use that veteran's social security number to locate the veteran; and
(B) advise that veteran of the provisions of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, including the right
of the veteran to file a claim under that Act; and
(4) with respect to each such atomic veteran who is deceased—
(A) use that veteran's social security number to locate the surviving spouse of the veteran (if any); and
(B) if a surviving spouse is located, advise that surviving spouse of the provisions of the Radiation
Exposure Compensation Act, including the right of the surviving spouse to file a claim under that Act.
(b) Assistance in Filing Claims- The Attorney General shall assist any atomic veteran or surviving spouse
identified under subsection (a)(3) or (a)(4), respectively, m filing a claim under the Radiation Exposure
Compensation Act, if the atomic veteran or surviving spouse requests such assistance.
(c) Assitance From Other Agencies- The heads of other Departments and agencies of the United States shall
assist the Attorney General as necessary to enable the Attorney General to carry out the provisions of this
section, including assistance in providing access to records needed for the Attorney General to carry out this
section.
(d) Atomic Veterans- For purposes of this section, the term ' atomic veteran' means a person who while
serving in the Armed Forces was exposed to ionizing radiation or fallout from the atmospheric detonation of
a nuclear device.
SEC. 3. ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS PRESUMED TO BE SERVICE-CONNECTED WHEN
APPEARING IN RADIATION-EXPOSED VETERANS.
For purposes of paragraph (1) of section 1 1 12(c) of title 38. United States Code , any disease covered as of
the date of the enactment of this Act under section 3.309 or 3.3 1 1 of title 38 of the Code of Federal
Regulations shall be considered to be a disease specified in paragraph (2) of section 1 1 12(c) of title 38.
United States Code.
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Canadian Atomic Veterans Recognition Program
On September 2, 2008, the Minister of National Defense and the Minister of
Veterans Affairs Canada announced the establishment of the Atomic Veterans
Recognition Program to further acknowledge the service of Atomic Veterans.
These Canadian military Veterans participated in nuclear weapons tests and
Chalk River decontamination efforts, performing their duties under exceptional
circumstances. In recognition of their exceptional service to the nation, these
Canadians will be eligible to apply for an ex-gratia payment.
While the U.S. Atomic Veterans fight their government for recognition and
medical benefits, apparently, the Canadian Government sees things differently,
and has taken the proper steps to compensate those who served. If only we
could receive the same treatment.
Ottawa Compensates 'Atomic Veterans'
Jason Fekete, Canwest News Service
$24, 000 for those exposed to radiation during tests
CALGARY ~ After decades of pressuring for compensation, Ottawa announced Tuesday
that "atomic veterans" - about 900 soldiers who were deployed at atomic-bomb test sites
in Nevada half a century ago and showered with radiation - will be eligible for a special
payment of $24,000.
The payment was quickly labeled "a joke" by the association representing the remaining
veterans and their widows ~ some of whom have filed a class-action lawsuit against the
government ~ and called an "election ploy" on the eve of an expected federal campaign.
The Atomic Veterans Recognition Program will offer $24,000 "ex-gratia" payments to
about 700 eligible Canadian military veterans and technology workers who participated in
nuclear weapons tests for the United States and United Kingdom between 1946 and 1963.
It will also compensate about 200 military personnel who helped in the decontamination
of the Chalk River, Ont., nuclear reactor following two accidents in the 1950s.
"It's a recognition that is long deserved and long overdue," Defense Minister Peter
MacKay told a luncheon of military and defense experts in Calgary.
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48
Marshall Islands
In the western Pacific, the Marshall Islands form two parallel island groups — the
Ratak (sunrise) Chain and Ralik
(sunset) Chain. These atolls, reefs,
and islets include Kwajalein, test
range for U.S. missiles and home to
the world's largest lagoon, and
Enewetak, where the United States
exploded the first hydrogen bomb in
1952. Bikini Atoll is still
uninhabitable because of past
nuclear tests. In 1986, the former
trust territory became self-governing
in free association with the United
States, which is responsible for its
defense and foreign affairs.
Idyllic Bikini Atoll was the site of U.S. atomic bomb testing
through 1958.
Photograph by William Curtsinger
Operation Hardtack 1
Walter E. Venator
11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific
49
Eniwetok Atoll
Pictures taken in 1958 at Eniwetol<.
I
ENIWETOK (fredj ISLAND,1958
The island is approximately two miles long and
one-quarter mile wide. It is surrounded by a
beautiful coral reef showing crystal clear water.
The lagoon side of the atoll is horseshoe shaped
with a beach and a deep-water harbor.
Honor Guard raising tine colors.
Activities included WGrl<, the beacli and getting a tan, volleyball, basketball, a card game of pinochle or
hearts, the club at night or the picture of the week at an outdoor theater adjacent to the barracks area
shown above. It rained almost every night, so, the well prepared brought a poncho.
World War II equipment rusting away
in the lagoon. We were not permitted
to explore any of these for fear of
uncovering live ammunition or mines.
This job was left for the Navy.
Operation Hardtack 1
Walter E. Venator
11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific
50
Eniwetok Atoll Observer Photographs
RB-57 Canberra equipped with wing-tip high-
resolution cameras, observing the Juniper
shot at Eniwetok.
A number of these bomber/reconnaissance
planes were located at Eniwetok and
Johnston Island.
An unknown shot that occurred sometime in
the evening. Participants were assured there
were no health hazards associated with
viewing the detonations, and they were at
least 25 miles distant. One can see neither is
the case.
Clad in a typical Eniwetok uniform, four
men observe the Yucca blast. Notice the
absence of eye protection and clothing. Any
form of protective clothing would be useless
against harmful ionizing radiation as the
high-speed particles require a wall of
protection in order to be completely
attenuated.
Operation Hardtack 1
Walter E. Venator
11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific
51
Nuclear Detonation Pictures
Cactus
Operation Hardtack I
LASL test of a MK-43 primary in a thermonuclear system mockup. The test was
similar to the Elder device. Predicted yield 13-14 kt. The Cactus device primary
weighed 110.3 lb (50 kg). The overall device weighed 1432 lb. and had a width
of 18 inches and a length of 69 inches.
Yield: 18 kilotons
Location: Eniwetok
Date: 5.May.l958
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The device was detonated 596
feet southwest of the Redwing
Lacrosse crater. The Cactus
crater had a diameter of 346 feet,
and a maximum depth of 37.2 feet
(with an 8-14 foot lip). In 1979-1980, this crater was used as a burial pit to inter
110,000 cubic yards of radioactive soil scraped from the various contaminated
Eniwetok Atoll islands.
Operation Hardtack 1
Walter E. Venator
11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific
52
Oak
Operation Hardtack I
Yield: 8.9 Megatons
Location: Eniwetok
Date: 28.Jun.1958
The test was conducted in very shallow water (12 feet). The device was
horizontal on the barge, with the axis 3 feet above the barge deck, which was in
turn 5.6 feet above the water line. The barge weighed 223 tons and was un-
ballasted to provide a shallow draft. The subsurface crater produced was 5740
feet diameter and 204 feet deep.
The test device was 37 inches in diameter and 100.5 inches long, and weighed
6113 lb. This design was later developed into the 9 Mt W/Mk-53 warhead
deployed on the Titan II missile and the Mk-53 strategic bomb. This last version
remained in active service until early 1997, making it the oldest and highest yield
weapon in the U.S. stockpile, (it is not clear whether it is still being held in the
reserve stockpile, or whether it was slated for dismantlement).
Operation Hardtack 1
Walter E. Venator
11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific
53
Umbrella
Operation Hardtack I
Yield: 8 kilotons
Location: Eniwetok
Date: 8.Jun.l958
Umbrella was a DOD sponsored weapons effects test for a medium depth
underwater explosion. An Mk-7 bomb was used for the test (30 inches in
diameter, 54 inches long, device weight 825 lb.) in a heavy pressure vessel (total
weight 7000 lb.). Very similar to the Wahoo device. The device was detonated
on the lagoon bottom NNE of Mut (Henry) Island. An underwater crater 3000 feet
across and 20 feet deep was produced. Another perspective of this explosion is
shown on the front cover.
Source: http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Tests/Hardtack1 .html
Operation Hardtack 1
Walter E. Venator
11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 54
Johnston Atoll
In 1958 I was temporarily stationed at Johnston Island which is the main island
of Johnston Atoll. Johnston Atoll is a 50-square-mile (130 km^) atoll in the North
Pacific Ocean about 1,400 km (750 nmi) west of Hawaii. There are four islands
located on the coral reef platform, two natural islands, Johnston Island and Sand
Island, which have been expanded by coral dredging, as well as North Island
(Akau) and East Island (Hikina), an additional two artificial islands formed by
coral dredging.
Johnston is an unincorporated territory of the United States, administered by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior as part of the
Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument. For statistical purposes,
Johnston Atoll is grouped as one of the United States Minor Outlying Islands.
The Johnston Atoll area was used during the 1950s and 1960s as an American
nuclear weapons test site - for both aboveground and underground nuclear tests.
It was also used for a rocket launch site for some of the first American spy
satellites. Later on, it became the site of a chemical weapons depot and the site
of the Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System (JACADS). All of the
chemical weapons that were once stored on Johnston Island have been
incinerated, and that process was completed in 2000 and JACADS demolished
by 2003.
Between 1958 and 1975, several scientific sounding rockets were launched from
Johnston Island. There were also several nuclear test missiles that were
launched from Johnston Island in 1962 during the "Operation Dominic" series of
nuclear tests, from a launch pad at 16°44'13"N 169°31'26"W16.7370°N
169.5240°W . Twelve thermonuclear warheads were exploded in all, one of which
failed when the PGM-17_Thor carrying it failed to launch and scattered
Plutonium debris over the island. Afterwards, the radioactive debris and soils
were placed in a 25 acre landfill on the island, along with residue from Agent
Orange containers returned from Southeast Asia after the Vietnam War, PCBs,
PAHs, dioxins, and sarin nerve gas from the Soviet Union and East Germany.
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific
55
Growth of
Johnston Island
Nautical Miles
Formerly used as a refueling site for aircraft and submarines during WWII and as
a base for airlift operations during the Korean War, and later as a site for nuclear
weapons tests, chemical weapons storage and recently as a chemical weapons
destruction facility, Johnston Atoll was handed over to the US Fish and Wildlife
Service in 2003 to manage the atoll as part of the Hawaiian and Pacific/Remote
Islands National Wildlife Refuges system.
In 1958 the Teak thermonuclear test was conducted on August 1, at Johnston
Island. This 3.8 megaton, 77-kilometer-high detonation caused an EMP
(electromagnetic pulse) which interrupted radio communication throughout a
large area of the Pacific. As a radio technician stationed at Johnston Island, but
aboard the Boxer at the time, I can verify that there was no radio reception for
perhaps eight hours after the shot, with the possible exception of Very Low
Frequency and Ultra Low Frequency transmissions used for communications
with submarines. I did not think to check with the Navy radio technicians aboard
the Boxer if they were able to communicate with submarines.
I witnessed many things in 1958. The Teak Shot was the most powerful,
probably the most dangerous for ionizing radiation emission and the most
memorable.
Operation Hardtack 1
Walter E. Venator
11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 56
Let the Games Begin
Nothing moves until military orders are issued. It is interesting to note that
according to the military orders below, those in command knew not all personnel
were protected form the blast and the affects of nuclear radiation. Otherwise, it
would not have been necessary to make the statement :
"All personnel located at ENIWETOK Atoll are within viewing distance of the TOBACCO fireball, and
are susceptible to eye damage. Therefore, all personnel who are not supplied with protective goggles will
turn away from the detonation point and close their eyes during the time of burst. At least ten seconds
should be allowed before looking at the burst.
Knowing what we know today, looking away from the blast may protect your
eyes, but the action will not block radiation exposure to your head, skin and other
parts of the body. Melanoma, which is most prevalent among nuclear testing
participants, is not covered by the VA as a presumptive cancer.
AD-A280 306
Headquarters, Joint Task Force SEVEN
APO 437, San Francisco, California
22 May 1958
Operation Order 20-58 (TOBACCO Event)
1. SITUATION
a. Information and instructions contained herein supplement .TTF SEVEN Operation Order 1-58,
dated 1 October 1957, with changes thereto.
b. TOBACCO will be detonated on a barge moored at Station 30, 3,000 feet southwest of Janet
Island, ENIWETOK Atoll. The time and date of detonation will be announced at a later date.
c. Ships will remain in the ENIWETOK Lagoon and all personnel except those authorized will be
located on FRED, DAVID and ELMER Islands.
See Appendix 20 to Annex N, attached.
d. TOBACCO is expected to produce significant fallout; therefore, postshot cloud sampling,
radsafe re-entry reconnaissance and barrier patrols will be necessary. Search areas will be
delineated by this Headquarters on D-3 and D-2. Search of the danger area will commence on D-
2.
e. The over pressure and thermal energy expected at sites FRED, ELMER and DAVID will be
negligible. No destructive or hazardous effects are anticipated at these sites.
2. SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS
a. TG 7.1
(1) Position the TOBACCO device on a barge off JAO'ET Island, ENIWETOK Atoll for a detonation about
26 May. Specific authority to arm and detonate the device will be obtained from C.TTF SEVEN.
(2) Conduct the initial post-shot radsafe and damage survey.
b. TG7.3
(1) Position all TG 7.3 ships so as to be on station at H-30 minutes.
(2) On order of CJTF SEVEN provide aircraft for radsafe reconnaissance and barrier patrol as required.
c. TO 7.4
(1) Provide sampling aircraft as required.
(2) Ensure that participating aircraft are on station at H-5 minutes.
C.TTF SEVEN will be notified immediately if participating aircraft will not be in position to accomplish
their assigned mission at H-Hour.
(3) Monitor CPS-9 scope and pass TOBACCO cloud information to .TTF SEVEN Radsafe Office.
( 4 ) Pass radsafe Information obtained from cloud sampling and barrier patrol aircraft to .TTF SEVEN
Radsafe Office.
3. OEUA INSTRUCTIONS
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in tlie Pacific 57
a. All personnel located at ENIWETOK Atoll are within viewing distance of the TOBACCO fireball, and
are susceptible to eye damage. Therefore, all personnel who are not supplied with protective goggles will
turn away from the detonation point and close their eyes durmg the time of burst. At least ten seconds
should be allowed before looking at the burst.
b. The JTF SEVEN CHECK LIST - BIKINI and ENIWETOK EVENTS, dated 10 May 1958, is changed
as foUows for TOBACCO Event:
(1) Delete the following Items: 5, 6, 1 1 , 13, 14, 33, 38 and 39.
(2) Change the following itemsto read as indicated below:P#Y OURV ENTJTF SEVEN ACTION 16. D-
Day Early Same Same 34. Same Same TG 7.1 ccmnences Radiate and Radsafe officer damage survey by
hcptr. monitors this event.
a. Ccmand of the operation will be exercised by C.TTF SEVEN from the JTF SEVEN Command Post on
ELMER Island.
b. Command Post locations:
(1) CTG 7.1 ELM]- Island
(2) CTG 7.2 FRED Island
(3)CTo 7.3 USS BOXER
(4) CTG 7.4 FRED Island
(5) CTG 7.5 ELMER Island
5. COMMUNICATIONS
a. The frequencies authorized for use during TOBACCO are listed in
Annex A, attached hereto.
b. The time-count-down will be provided as outlined in SCI 10-14, paragraph 6 applies.
c. General instructions contained in paragraph 7b, part 4 of Annex "I" to JTF SEVEN Operation Order 1-58
apply
d. The radio silence period for TOBACCO is from H-3 minutes to H+2 minutes. All frequencies and
communications systems not listed in
3. Circuits and frequencies not specifically designated in paragraphs 1 or 2 will not be used during the
*silent period". Where transmitters may be keyed accidentally, action will be taken to disable the
transmitters during the silent period'.
OFFICL\L: A. R. LUEDECKE
Major General, USAF
Operation IHardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 58
Important Reference Sites
Radio Chemistry Society
U.S. Nuclear Tests
http://www.radiochemistry.org/history/nuke_tests/index.shtml
U.S. Nuclear Testing Program in the Marshall Islands
http://www.nuclearclaimstribunal.com/testing.htm
The Huffington Post
The Legacy of U.S. Nuclear Testing in the Marshall Islands
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-alvarez/the-legacy-of-us-nuclear_b_586524.html
Canadian Advisory Council Report
Health and Environmental Issues Linked to the Nuclear Fuel Chain
http://www.ccnr.org/ceac B.html
Destroyed Military Records:
http://www.nvlsp.org/Infon'nation/ArticleLibrary/ServiceRecords/MILREC-1973FIRE-
LOSTRECORDS.htm
A Typical Atomic Veteran Story
http://www.atomicvetkin.com/lloyd.html
National Association of Atomic Veterans
http ://trcschafer. com/The_Atomic_Wamor.pdf
Atomic Veterans
http://www.atomicveterans.org/
Children of Atomic Veterans
http ://www. atomicvetkin. com/
Bikini Atoll
http://www.bikiniatoll.com/
Johnston Atoll
http://www.oceandots.com/pacific/lohnston/
Wikopedia
http://en.wikipedia.orq/wiki/lonizinq radiation
Public Health Statement for Ionizing Radiation
http://www.atsdr.cdc. qov/phs/phs.asp?id=482&tid=86
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 59
Additional Reading
Marshall Islands Chronology , 1944 to 1990 , January 11, 1990 (The editor has copy of this document in
.doc format.)
HISTORY ASSOCIATES INCORPORATED
The Historic Montrose School
5721 Randolph Road
RockviUe, Maryland 20852
Prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy
Under Contract No. DE-AC08-87 NI0594
We Were Trapped by Radioactive Fallout
By - Dr. John C. Clark
Saturday Evening Post, July 1957 (The editor has copy of this document m pdf format
The Swords of Armageddon - Chuck Hansen, Editor
http://www.uscoldwar.com/histry_testing.htm
Anno Atomi - By Keith Whittle
http://www.aracnet.com/~histgaz/atomi/books.htm
Behavior of plutonium isotopes in the marine environment
of Enewetak atoll
V. E. Noshkin,*l W. L. Robison,*2 K. M. Wong,**3 R. J. Eagle***(The editor has copy of this
document in pdf format)
Beta and Gamma Comparative Dose Estimates
on EnewetOk Atoll
K.W. Crase, P.H. Gudiksen, N.L. Robison This article was published in _Health Physics_; vol. 42 (no. 5)
May 1982; p. 559-64.
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 60
Additional Online Information
• United States Nuclear Tests, July 1945 throiish September 1992. DOE/NV-209 (Rev. 15), 2001
lists chronologically and alphabetically by name all nuclear tests and sunultaneous detonations
conducted by the United States. Acrobat (.pdf) download (36 kilobytes). Regrettably, the DOE
Nevada web site has removed the HTML format on-line version of this catalog.
•
Radiological Effluents Released from U.S. Continental Tests. 1961 through 1992. DOE/NV-317
(Rev. 1). August 1996 - documents all U.S. continental nuclear tests from 1961 through 1992 from
which radioactive effluents were released.
Official list of announced Nevada Test Site explosions [1995]
http://www.ratical.orR/radiation/inetSeries/nwEJS.html - Dr. Ernest Stemglass - NUCLEAR
WITNESSES, INSIDERS SPEAK OUT:- DR. ERNEST J. STERNGLASS, PHYSICIST
Comprehensive List of All Nuclear Explosions by Jim Lawson [8/1996]
Historical Estimates Of External Gamma Exposure And Population External Gamma Exposure
From Testing At The Nevada Test Site. Part 1. Test Series Through Hardtack 2. 1958 : Anspaugh,
Lynn R; Church, B W.; Ucrl-87380; pg. 39; December 1, 1984; Acrobat (.pdf) download 3.7
megabytes.
The National Cancer Institute Study Estimating Thyroid Doses of 1-131 Received by Americans
From Nevada Atmospheric Nuclear Bomb Test, 1997 is available from the National Cancer
Institute . To get the full report, m Acrobat (.pdf) format click here.
Go to the DOE IHP Marshall Islands Program this is an on-lme repository of more than
6,000 documents pertaining to the U.S. Nuclear Testing Program in the Marshall Islands.
United States Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs -
http://www.ccnr.org/rosalie_testimony.html
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Pacific 61
About the Editor
Walter E. Venator, Jr., is an Atomic Veteran who was a
participant in the Project Hardtack 1 and Newsree! operations.
After years of silence, I decided it was time to inform others of
the events that occurred in 1958. Atomic Bomb testing in the
Pacific and elsewhere in 1958 affected the lives of ten of thousands of United
States service men and civilians. I have no axe to grind, and hold no grudge. I
simply feel that I have been silent about my experience for so many years and
the time has come to acquaint others about the events. I am responding to a tap
on my shoulder to make people aware of those walking among us whose
numbers are dwindling and who lived through an experience that has adversely
affected their health, families and possibly offspring.
Fifty-two years after my Atomic experience, I am retired. I was a sales manager
in the computer field for thirty years. Prior to sales, I was a microwave design
engineer and made some original contributions to the Apollo Program and
Electronic Countermeasures equipment. I studied nuclear engineering and once
thought I would become a nuclear engineer and work in a power plant but
although I took the courses, I never pursued it. I know from my studies how
harmful radioactive substances can be on human tissue, especially Plutonium
239, Uranium 238 and Strontium 90. Besides, by the time I was ready for a job
in the nuclear field, all power plant licenses were suspended, and I do not think
we have built a power reactor since 1965.
I have often wondered how many people were affected by ionizing radiation
exposure from the bombs detonated in 1958, and what sort of diseases they
contracted as the years progressed. I did not witness all of the shots in 1958, but
the ones I saw convinced me that we should never use those awesome weapons
if at all possible. In my studies, I learned later that we could have possibly
conducted these tests differently. Dr. Robert Oppenheim was right. We could
have performed many of the tests with mathematics. But we were in a race for
nuclear supremacy and had to go all out.
The 1958 mission was top-secret until 1994 when the Clinton administration
began declassifying the information. Before that time, witnesses could have
been prosecuted for telling what they knew. I am sure some men still will not talk
about their experience.
Like thousands of others, I would like recognition for the time spent in Operation
Hardtack 1 in 1958 and medical benefits.
Operation Hardtack 1 Walter E. Venator 11/08/10
Index
Agent Orange 1
atom 34, 36
Atomic 1,2,61
Atomic Veterans 3, 13, 21, 22, 28, 31, 41, 42, 44,
45, 46, 47, 58
ATOMIC VETERANS SERVICE MEDAL.. .44,
45
Bellows AFB 18
Beta particles 38
Bikini.... 3, 8, 9, 10, 21, 24, 25, 27, 30, 42, 48, 58
Boxer 14, 18, 20, 29, 30, 31, 55
Canadian Government 47
cancer 1
Cancer 33, 38, 39, 40, 41, 60
Chernobyl 38,39
civilian 1
Clinton 1
Congress 1,2
Congressional Record 40
DD-214 1
Dr. Ernest J. Stemglass 34
Elugelab 9
Enewetak 8,9, 10, 11,33,48,59
Emwetok Atoll 17, 21, 22, 24, 25, 49, 50, 51
FRED 16, 21, 22, 24, 25, 56, 57
gamma ray 36
ground zero 3
guinea pigs 1
Hawaii 15, 16, 18, 19,21,24,27,30,54
Holmes and Narver 17
ionization 36, 38
ionized 1
Ionizing Radiation Health Exam 13
Johnston Island 4, 8, 9, 14, 17, 18, 19, 27, 50, 54,
55
Joint Task Force Seven 2
Kearsarge 31
Kwajalem 16, 18, 21, 24, 31, 48
Lloyd Teed 3,32
Marshalese 29
Marshallese 3,20
medal 1
military service medal 44, 45
Nevada 5, 13, 30, 32, 46, 47, 60
nuclear radiation 1
Oak 10, 13, 28, 52
Okinawa 19
President William Jefferson Clinton 1
presumptive diseases 41
radiation 1,2, 16, 18, 19,20,61
records 2, 3, 7, 8, 14, 30, 46
Rep. Bob Filner 42
Richardson 1
Secret 1
Soviet Union 4,5,24,54
Strontium 40,61
Teak 11, 19,31,55
Top Secret 15,24,27
Top-Secret 1
U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs 41
United States 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 14, 20, 21, 24, 26,
27, 32, 33, 34, 41, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 54, 60,
61
United States Air Force 2,7, 14,20
Veterans Administration 1 , 6, 28, 40
Waikiki 19
X-ray 19
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11