Nagasaki
1945
U.S. Atomic Veterans
Charlie Clark
From: clarkc006@hawaii.rr.com
Date: Sat, 6 Jan 2001
Subject: "Happy New Year"
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Update:
Aloha Keith, sure a beautiful day, we have had 80 plus weather for all of
this "winter", gets down to 70-69 early in the mornings, and causes the
blanket pulling process. Hope your New Year has started good, and the family
is healthy and happy.
My case in the Court of Appeals should be heard in the
first 2 weeks of Feb. and I am praying for a favorable hearing.
I go in for
more surgery on my nose the 18th of Jan. this will make number 142 from my
face, and it really makes me angry to read this less than one rem (Nagasaki) junk coming
from the VA.
Keith I have found another source for stored documents that the
Atomic Energy Commission (DOE) has placed in storage under contract with the
National Academy of Sciences, these holdings are the largest in archives
related to the "Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission and the "Radiation Effects
Research Foundation" requests for documents can be sent to: Ms. Catherine
Berkley Board on Radiation Effects Research National Academy of Sciences
2101 Constitution Ave. NW Washington, DC 20418.
Charlie Clark
Email: clarkc006@hawaii.rr.com
Editors Note: Charlie is now the new NAAV State Commander for Hawaii.
Update: August 13, 1999
From: clarkc006@hawaii.rr.com
Date: Thu, 12 Aug 1999
Subject: Aloha Keith
To: Pdxavets@aracnet.com
Well ole buddy I am back on line. Compaq had to install a whole new hard
drive and completely up dated all components, which makes the equation GOOD.
Keith, at some point I will take you up on the offer to put my medical info
on the net, but I believe it may be a little pre mature right now as I
continue to have more removed about every 3 to 4 weeks.
The only thing I
would advise anyone, is to keep a very close eye on their skin for what may
feel like a pimple or skin blemish as these are the initial sources and can
be present one day then disappear the next day only to be back again in a few
days, then disappear again, only to resurface and fool you again thinking it
is a pimple, when in fact it is the forming of a cancer. VERY TRICKY.
Keith I
have a question that perhaps your records may reveal, do you have anything
that may report how many (if any) cases the V.A. in Washington have ever
approved for a claim on radiation, as I told you, I have been told by the DAV
that my claim will be heard in Washington sometime before the end of the
year. Hope all is well with you and your family. Greetings from Paradise
Charlie Clark
From: clarkc006@hawaii.rr.com
To: Pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Nagasaki Sept. 1945
Date: Sat, 12 Dec 1998
Aloha Keith,
Thank you for your "E" mail, my surgery went well, I only have a very Black Eye as one of my cancers was right under my right eye lash, and I don't know if it was the 6 needles or the removal that brought this on, yea, I know, I wasn't in a brawl. Get the stiches out on the 17th then the next procedure on Jan. 4. It has become so routine that I feel that I could eat an apple while the procedure goes on.
Hmmm. You asked about my recollection of events relating to Nagasaki, well the first memory was our approaching the Island of Kyushu at first light and seeing all of those little White Flags flying. I thought WHO what a hell of a BIG GOLFCOURSE, but of course they were coastal gun emplacements. (And to know we were preparing to invade this Island next month).
We entered the narrow river leading up into Nagasaki Harbor early in the AM and proceeded at a very slow forward speed, always sounding the bottom as we proceeded, constantly reminded of mines, either floating or anchored. This event took all day, and as late afternoon approached we anchored in the harbor (Sept. 23, 1945).
The next problem was that the concussion of the Bomb had launched 3 Ships that were being constructed in the Mitsibushi Shipyard. That evening we started disembarking Marines of the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, for occupation duty. The following morning I was ordered over to the beach to establish a communications watch and observe any movements that may impair our operations.
The hardest part of this operation was the EVER BEARING ODOR of BURNT BODIES, THERE IS NO ONE IN THIS WHOLE WORLD that could describe that horrible smell, and the problem was ever intensefied since it was everywhere.
Each day the wind blew and the dust flew, the boarding parties that were sent to lash and secure the ships that were adrift had a difficult time, as did the allied ships in the harbor in keeping them from raming the anchored vessels. The banging of these adrift ships was a ever lasting sound.
Keith, I dont know you and of course you don't know me, but I will say this for ALL of the men that went into the valley where the Bomb hit, they, like me were innocent victims (unprotected and without instrumentation or advanced knowledge) deserve the highest honor that this Country coud give anyone, my heart goes out to the many veterans who have expired (and their Families) without the real TRUTH being told about radiation.
.
These are the real heros of World War II , since the Geneva Convention kept the powers from using GAS, we had to endure RADIATION, like they who were gased, we were the next generation! and the UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT wants to forget us like they did those men of World War I.
Well, I have taken up a lot of your time, I personally feel the Atomic Vets should look at the possibilities of establishing themselves out here, since there are many here that participated in the Pacific Tests and have never heard of your organization. Till then I want to wish all of you good people on your BIG ISLAND, Mele Kalikimaka and Hau`oli Makahiki Hou!
Charlie Clark
Email: clarkc006@hawaii.rr.com
Keith Whittle
December 12, 1998
[ Nagasaki ]