Hardtack 1958
US Atomic Veterans
Bill Alexander
Bill Alexander sent email about his duty at Operation Hardtack.
From: "Bill Alexander" wm_alexander@hotmail.com
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Hardtack I
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2000
Hello Keith,
I served aboard Bonita (SSK-3) for test Wahoo and Umbrella. Fact I was
navigating for Wahoo. I was told to put us in position 5000 yds
from the buoy from which the shot was hanging. We were at periscope
depth (63'). You can bet that, considering a "fudge factor" we
ended up much more (rather than less) further away. I remember,
that even through the hull, it was the LOUDEST noise, I will ever
hear. The whole Entiwetok experience was something to behold.
Umbrella was the lagoon shot with the boat on the bottom at 150'
and no one aboard. This time the boat was 4700' (feet) from the deto
nation. Bonita survived without a hitch.
Were things HOT??? You bet they were!!! Were we lied to??? I think so
fact I know so.
What I've never been able to understand is why we (the thousands in
attendance at Entiwetok and Bikini) are seldom (never) mentioned
in articles regarding radiation exposure. The Downwinders are
discussed--the folks that served the Test Site, Nevada and con-
sidered, but those of us that were there for Hardtack and treated
like step-children. I think it's time for us to get our due. I'm
not a militant, not do I want something for nothing, but......
I believe that I am in good physical condition and am not aware of
any effects from radiation. But I hear mixed opinions, sometimes,
as to what, if anything, we are due, relative to medical treatment
and check-ups.
I'd enjoy hearing from you or your associates. I've corresponded
with Dr. Oscar Rosen (Radiation Vets) and he' not responsive to the
subject of Hardtack.
Bill Alexander
Pahrump, NV
Email: wm_alexander@hotmail.com
From: "Bill Alexander" wm_alexander@hotmail.com
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: HARDTACK 1
Date: Sat, 18 Mar 2000
Hi Keith,
Thanks for the quick response.
I am also interested in receiving addresses of my crew, just to see
how they're doing and where they are located.
You are very correct in stating that it would be interesting to do
some research regarding subject of Hardtack. This is one of the reasons
that I'd like to make contact with some of the crew. When
you get two or more submariners together, the creative juices flow, and the
memories get productively jogged.
Bonita as chosen for the nuclear underwater tests(Wahoo and Umbrella)
partly because of the uniqueness. It was one of three boats built
in 1951 to be domestic, off-shore killer boats. These boats had
the first of an advanced sonar (ten foot hydraphones) in the bow.
We also had the same hull thickness and the same thru-hull valving
as the Nautilus class (new at the time) boats. And----we were due to
be de-commissioned in late 1958. All of the "K" boats ended up
being engineering nightmares, and expensive to operate.
Prior to coming out to the Marshall Islands, we spent time at
Hunter's Point, in S.F. having the boat modified, so that it would
dive and surface without a crew being aboard, and fitted with very
special slo-mo cameras thru-out, that were triggered by the same
radio frequency that triggered the nuclear weapons. When we departed
S.F., it was clearly understood, that none of us would be aboard for
either of the two shots.
Shortly after arriving in Entiwetok, we
were briefed by a rep from the A.E.C. who showed us very impressive
films, taken from the last conventional depth charge tests, showing
us graphics of the depth of the test boats, the depth and angle of
the shot,the depth of the water, etc. These films may have been a
part of what you mentioned, in your E-mail. Anyway-----it was all
very impressive and devastating, because of the damage. At the
end of the film, he then announced that the A.E.C. had, had a change
of thinking, and that a skeleton crew of 21 men would be aboard
BONITA for Wahoo. We later were advised that we were to be on station, in
740 fathoms, three miles from an atoll surrounded by and loaded
with electronic measuring equipment, and 5000 yds from the shot,
which was hanging from a buoy on the end of a cable 60 ft down.
Prior to the A.E.C. rep's departure he quickly added that there was
nothing to worry about, because they knew exactly what was to be
expected, and that if we had any questions to ask our skipper.
Our
skipper LDCR J.K. "Blackjack" McAdams, was as dumb-founded as we were.
I am sure you understand the military's chain of command, especially
as it may inter-act between the services. The A.E.C. was running
the operation and I think there was an Air Force general who was
senior in command over all of the services, including the Army Corps of
Engineers, some Marines and other participating units from the Navy. Well
"Blackjack" was very JUNIOR (LDCR) compared to other officers
he was interacting with, in discussion groups, etc. that were in-
volved in the planning of Wahoo and later Umbrella. Consequently,
he had to go along with what ever "they" decided what we should do.
This was the understanding from COMSUBPAC, I believe. This confron-tational
alignment, was the source of many arguements, which the
BONITA ended being in on the short end of the stick. It is because
of this, that I think (know) it would be VERY interesting if I
could get together with members of my crew to recollect the whole
Hardtack experience-much of which would be hilarious. Yes---we all
survived and the boat was, in the main, unharmed. But, I am sure
that, given the same objectives, our involvement would never occur
in today's world.
Well, this is enough for now. If you'd like to use this for your
site, feel free. But I am VERY interested in communicating with
any of my crew, or anyone who had first hand experience with either
underwater shot. (I had a tape of the last 30 min of the countdown
to Wahoo and have misplaced it. The concussion knocked the plug
out of the socket, and the tape abruptly ended. Someone may have
a copy.) It was an unforgettable experience and there are many more
stories to share.
Thanks again,
Bill Alexander
Pahrump, NV
Email: wm_alexander@hotmail.com
Keith Whittle
March 20, 2000
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