Operation Redwing
US Atomic Veterans
Ron Larson
Ron Larson sent email about his duty at Operation Redwing.
Date: Mon, 31 May 2004
From: "Ron Larson" ronbarb@outdrs.net
Subject: Redwing veteran
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
My time on the USS catamount was during the Operation Redwing hydrogen bomb tests in 1956. I arose early to watch every test shot. We were rquired to lie face down, with an arm over our eyes untill ten seconds after the blast. I recall being able to see through my arm, like looking at an x-ray! When we could get up, we went to the side to observe the cloud forming. It was the most spectacular sight I've ever seen. The colors and the radiation ring around the cloud were beautiful. Then we felt warm air, and a push from the wind created by the blast.
The ship's other duties consisted of hauling Holmes and Narver Construction crews to remote islands as far as 100 miles away, and more. We carried a weapon to a small island at Bikini, and then ballasted down to receive two Air Force high speed rescue boats, and leave the area before the shot. We were skippered by a fine Captain, R. G. Bywater, who allowed about six of us to snorkel and explore the atolls we visited with an LCVP. We saw fish you won't find in books, giant clams over three feet across the serations, bare breasted natives on Kapingamarangi, and a South Pacific paradise! Swam with sea snakes and native kids, drank fresh coconut juice and just had a great time. We saw WW2 military vehicles below the water surface at Truk, visited Kwajalein for fuel and liberty. We were asked to cancel any more liberty after that first visit to civilization in many months.
The heat and humidity below decks was terrible, so many of us slept on the main deck, in 40MM gun tubs, for fresh air. We enjoyed many swim sessions in our well deck while out building weather stations. Fishing off the stern gate was pretty successful, too.
Whenever we got fresh fruit and meat, we had a steak fry in the well deck, with three beers for anyone not on duty. The beer(?) we had on Bikini was awfull, but it was cold. Now, Eniwetok, that place had an EM club that rocked! Much to the delight of one of our first class gunner's mates who had become very lonely and very drunk, the Air Force had fire trucks on the airfield. He tried to drive one home to San Diego, but was stopped by the air police.
We did get enough fallout to have to use the salt water main deck wash down system. The well deck timbers got enough radiation to have to be replaced after the cruise.
I would not trade the experience for anything.
Ron Larson
31 May, 2004
Email: ronbarb@outdrs.net
There is a great USS Catamount Reunion organization, very active. If anyone is interested, email me or Email: Mr. Don Steinbach.
Keith Whittle
June 3, 2004
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