C.V. (Bud) Norris sent email about his duty at Operation Castle.
From: cnorris1@socal.rr.com
Date: Sat, 16 Jan 1999
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Operation Castle
Hello Keith
I served aboard the USS Curtiss from the summer of 1953 to December
1955. I was a Damage Control 2nd,and worked out of the carpenter shop.
The ship operated out of San Diego, CA. and was moored at North Island
Naval Base.
When we went to the Marshall Islands in 1954 on Operation Castle, the
ship anchored near a very small island that for all appearences was
completely barren except for some palm trees. Later on we would find out
why we were at this particular island.
For recreation, they sent the Ships Company on picnics to this island
periodically by alternating port side one day and starboard another. The
ship had brought several cases of beer and liquor to be used at these
picnics; needless to say we had quite a few drunken sailors.
Myself and a couple of other guys had taken a senior life saving course
before we went on Operation Castle, and we had to play life guard at a
few of these picnics. They gave us a little dingy boat to patrol the
beach with. Well, enough of the social life.
We were about to find out why we had anchored at this island. On shot
day we got underway and moved off from the island, I guess a good 25 to
30 miles, and on the morning of the detonation we lost our picnic
island. That is where they had placed the bomb. When the smoke cleared
there was nothing but ocean. I don’t remember the actual size of the
island. Just guessing I would say at least three-quarters of a mile wide
and a mile long.
During the Operation Castle tests in the Marshalls, I had the duty
assignment of Radiation Monitor. We had to wear protective gear and
R.B.A. (Rescue Breathing Apparatus) and carry a Geiger Counter to
monitor the radiation levels outside the ship after a detonation. After
an explosion they would energize the washdown system for a period of
time and then send us out to check levels of radiation. I don’t recall
reading any high levels on the Curtiss. At the time the scuttlebutt
going around was that some of the other ships in our task force got
caught in the fallout and many ships personnel received high levels of
radiation. We heard they shipped some out to hospitals for treatment.
I do remember on one of the tests, I think the first, we were all above
decks to observe the blast. The only ones who could face the
detonation were the ones with infrared goggles.The rest of us had to
turn our backs and cover our eyes for so many seconds, until the fire
ball dissipated.
I think they said we were about 30 miles from ground
zero,and I remember the heat on the back of my neck was like it feels
with a severe sunburn,and the flash was brighter then the daylight, and
the sun was out. We received the shock wave several seconds after the
blast and I think every sailor that was wearing hats, lost them. It sure
is an experience you never forget.
C.V. (Bud) Norris
Email: cnorris1@socal.rr.com
Keith Whittle
January 17, 1998
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