Hardtack 1958
US Atomic Veterans
Bill Kishbaugh
Bill Kishbaugh sent email about his duty at Operation Hardtack.
From: "William G. Kishbaugh" wgkish@theriver.com
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Atomic Vets
Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2003
I served as an Engineman on the USS Renville APA227 from July 1955 to June 1959. I participated in Operation Hardtack off Eniwetok during the April-May 1958 Atomic tests.
I recall witnessing several tests ranging from bombs to rocket detonations. As I recall, when the first bomb was tested, there were a number of abandoned target ships and vessels anchored in the test zone. We were told that "volunteers" would be selected to go on a work party to scrub the exposed ships down after the tests to see how much radiation could be removed by that method. Fortunately we were never called.
I recall sitting on the deck of the ship's fantail with my back to the blast and bracing myself against a 5" gun tub for the anticipated concussion. I remember closing and covering our eyes during the initial detonation and then opening them. It was the most intense light I had ever seen. As I recall, there were no shadows or dark areas due to the intense light.
Once during the middle of the night the General Quarters Alarm was sounded. A voice came over the ships loudspeakers " Atomic Attack - Atomic Attack, This is no drill. " It was repeated several times. The first thing I thought was that the Russians were attacking us, as it was during the Cold War period. Many sailors went topside to man their battle stations and it had been raining. It turned out that radioactive rain had fallen during the night and when it was detected the OD sounded General Quarters. One problem was that the men who had been topside tracked the radioactive rain below decks. Confusion seemed to reign. The men were ordered to report to the fantail and throw their radioactive shoes overboard. The order was soon rescinded so I never threw my shoes overboard.
I was in charge of the ships fresh water distilling plants. I recall a fellow named William Kirchner working for me. I was instructed to monitor the incoming sea water, the discharged brine and the fresh water for radiation levels and was told what the safe range should be. The salt and solids removed from the sea water was called "Brine" and it contained higher levels of radiation because radiation attaches itself to solids. The evaporators or distillation plants were operated with steam and were in an enclosed space located well below decks. The heat was intense, as the ventilation air being drawn in from topside was already hot due to outside temperatures. We had a shower rigged up and stood watch in underwear. Every few minutes we would stand under the shower to cool off with the radioactive water. I lost a lot of weight during that trip due to the heat.
So far I have not been diagnosed with any form of cancer. I think that I have had a loss of tooth enamel resulting in the loss of teeth. My tooth decay has been far in excess of what my siblings have experienced. Otherwise I have not had any known adverse affects from radiation exposure.
William G. "Bill" Kishbaugh
Engineman 2nd Class - E 5
USS Renville APA227
Email: wgkish@theriver.com
Keith Whittle
September 24, 2003
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