Hardtack 1958
US Atomic Veterans
Forrest Bahler
Forrest Bahler sent email about his duty at Operation Hardtack.
Date: January 16, 2006.
Yesterday, at our January Atomic Veterans meeting, we were notified of the passing of Forrest Bahler.
I've known Forrest for about 8 years.
When I first met him, he was an angry man, he felt certain that his exposure to radiation during Operation Hardtack had caused his and his daughters medical problems. The cost of his families medical care had caused extreme financial hardship and stress. He would call me on the phone and would be very harsh about the NAAV organization and other Veterans organizations not doing enough for Atomic Veterans, he would become very angry about the government's treatment of the Veterans especially the Atomic Veteran.
Because of recent legislation, when Forrest was stricken with bladder cancer, he was given excellent VA medical care and was awarded financial compensation on the presumption that is service at Operation Hardtack may have caused his cancer. His financial worries were eased and his medical prognosis was good. Forrest's anger subsided and he became active in our Oregon Atomic Veterans organization and for 5 years was instrumental in getting Oregon's Governors to sign Proclamations declaring July 16 as Atomic Veterans Day in Oregon. This effort resulted in 2005 having the Legislature and Governer making permanent July 16th as Atomic Veterans Day in Oregon.
Less than three months ago Forrest was again diagnosed with cancer, this time it was pancreatic cancer which took his life on December 18. For those of us who knew Forrest's smiles, his enthusiasm, his personality, his efforts to gain recognition for and to assist his fellow Atomic Veterans will be fondly remembered.
Keith Whittle
January 2006
Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2000
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
From: co-bjvcr@juno.com
Subject: Atomic veterans
Hello! Atomic Veterans...my name is Forrest Bahler, member NAAV, Operation
Hardtack 1 in the spring of 1958 under Task Group 7.3 by Rear Admiral David
M. Tyree, USN Commander.
I was a deck hand, 3rd Division, USS Renville APA 227 troop transport
stationed at Des Base, San Diego, Ca. Our ship was rigged with wash-down
apparatus throughout topside. We set sail for the Marshall Islands (I
forget the exact dates). The first test was an aerial test in the latter part
of April 1958...then I think, it was Japtan Island (home port?) of the
Marshalls...no cameras or any photo equipment could be used by anyone.
I witnessed around (12) tests altogether...underwater...surface...and
one aerial test AT FIRST! During the underwater test, I had duty down below at the
aft steering. I was wearing headphones and only reported to and received
from the con. Leaning against the bulkhead waiting for anything when a
shockwave hit and I sailed over the steering apparatus...headphones were
tore off, my left ear was ripped and bleeding down my neck. I was wrapped
around everything you can imagine. From what I heard, is that the con was
trying to get in touch with me...how did I know? No phones. I gathered
myself up and at that time, the messenger of the deck came down as I was
looking for my headphones...blood running down my neck from my left ear.
Finally, I was released from my station only to know of two things...my
situation and the shockwave also split a big gash in one of the seams amid ship.
I am not going to go through each detonation but a couple or
three...this one shot 6,000 yards from ground zero...rocked alot...what a
shockwave! I was sitting on the 5" in the trainers seat and got knocked
clear off of it...others were picking themselves up and learned later that
the shockwave also broke the horizontal communication wires...actually, it
broke the glass insulators!
There was the other shot (surface) that was
about the same...I was really scared on this one...more than the
first...I'd say we were standing on the fantail with our backs to ground
zero...approximately six miles from ground zero. The con ordered our backs
to ground zero and to place our hands over our eyes...we did...and waited
and waited. I peeked with my left eye. I saw every bone in my left hand as
I opened it. I stared in shock and disbelief...I saw every bone...every
joint and my flesh was a very pale, pale pink...like an x-ray in mild
color...I was so scared, so frightened. My heart pounded so hard for so
long...I was so weak and broke out in sweats as I still do today. About a
half hour later, I felt the fantail whipping back and forth. The ship was
making a fast-getaway to starboard...we noted the mushroom aloft had shifted
due to the winds and it was over the top of us. A few particles dropped and
we out ran it and then washed down...buckets and swabs and soap...and, of
course, our trusty film badge 1.25" wide x 2.25" long...as I can remember.
After R&R at Japtan Island, green beer, pineapple juice and a rope-guarded
swimming pool...sort of...no one would swim in for fear of radiation
exposure. We went for the next shot and the same as usual...except for
seeing three cull ships that sunk after this surface test. After getting
slapped around from the shockwave and the countdown for when we could remove
our hands (seeing nothing), I didn't look at my hand on this one...scared of
going blind! Three cull ships...probably destroyer escorts or
destroyers...first ship...one mile from ground zero...next ship two miles
from ground zero and the next, three miles. The first ship was straight up
(as it appeared to me) tilted back some, came down and kept on
going...second ship went up and came down, bobbed once and down she went.
Third ship was up and came down retaining its floating position. The
scientist or whatever dressed up in a large white suit was able to get on
her for (17) minutes and she went down. How do I know? He came to our ship
to test for radiation and told us he would have liked to have more time to take
more tests but she (third ship) was sinking and had to get off.
As he was
on our ship to test for radiation, he had a geiger counter-type machine with
a chalk holder on the bottom side. He'd go with the click...click...click
sound. As he did this, the chalk would mark and I watched as the areas
marked would be egg-shaped...close to being round...oblong and jagged-type
circles of all and any description. At the time, I was messenger of the
deck and had to go aft to the fantail and give messages to an officer...I
was told not to walk through marked areas because it was too hot...I had to
go because I was ordered to...hot spots all over the ship...I walked back &
forth for two to three hours...wash down...swab and soap down...we
breathed...we ate and absorbed radiation...very heavy...very heavy...
We finally left Eniwetok, tearfully...so happy! I'd seen enough...felt
enough and feared for my future and for my family...'cause I had heard so
much about this radiation while there. I remember when we left Eniwetok,
the Captain in a message to all of us said...this tour could take 20 years
off our lives...I promise you he said that. We came home...so much to
tell...so much to be scared of and so much to be thankful for...all rolled
into one.
Before we left, my wife and I had two sons...healthy, strong young
boys...years went by and my wife and I had three girls...a total of five
children. Each one of my daughters developed problems when they reached
puberty. The middle daughter, Debbie, was sent to a specialist...the outcome?
Bad valves in her heart...proven! Oldest daughter, Mona, got sick...went to
a heart specialist as did Debbie...Mona with a hole in her heart. Colleen
had been having alot of problems in school...ended up going to a neurologist
who finally determined she was borderline retarded!! Now, don't you think
I'd had enough? All this is terrible to me..the VA would not accept these
genetic defects...but in 1998, I was checked out after I urinated about a
pint of blood...results...cancer of the bladder. The VA accepted this as
service-connected for (14) months at 100% but when the cancer went into
remission, VA wanted to drop me to 10% but with the continuing problems I
have, rated me at 40%. I put in for PTSD...the VA gave me a very low rating
and I appealed. No outcome yet...after all this, what could be wrong with a
good and positive decision? They don't know...
There is so much more, fellas...I just don't have anymore left I'd
care to report. So I have so much to thank Keith Whittle, Richard Conant
for as I know the rest of you do the same. I have two certificates...a big
one and a small one (10"x12") that says...Greetings! Ha! They are our
peers and I sure appreciate them...oh yes! Did I hear someone mention
someone's name...was it Pat Broudy? Hi, Pat!!!
From a letter received October 10, 2000.
In addition to my written experiences to Keith and our new National Commander Richard V. Connant - How fortunate we are to have these two men!! And also Melanie Smith, Tahana, Whitecrow Foundation, so much thanks to her, bless her!!!
I should have headlined my deposition as "The Nuclear Holocaust of Military Personell - From Trinity to the Clean Up of it all in 1962."
The DOD started out using military personell and then went to using animals. They used rabbits strapped down, pigs and whatever else - But the DOD had to quit this because of cruel and in human treatment to animals. So what did they do? DOD used military personall, straped down to a ship that was full of military personel from the Captain on down.
The tests in all killed many men from nuclear fallout which the DOD still doesn't want to admit. There radiation film badges were useless, as we all know. Our intake was so severe- many sicknesses were caused from radiation exposure. Neurological problems, stomach, intestinal, that later caused cancer of all areas of the body. I was discharged shortly after Operation Hardtack, 2 months I quess. One morning I awoke - had to go to the bathroom - passed alot of blood. This lasted 7 - 8 years off and on. Went to doctors time and again - but after all the tests. Not really an answer.
But then again all these nuclear tests were controlled tests. By whose definition? DOD?
Someone said something about a medal? Why not each and every Guinea Pig receive the Bronze Star?? For Bravery, for facing the unknown. For our bodies being saturated from fallout, fighting this enemy of fallout for all our lives. For those of us that lived and suffered from disease throughout our lives with so many, many lives being cut short, because of a radiation soaked body!! And the DOD with no mercy even on guinea pigs, they had mercy on animals and quit - but used us.
What would be wrong with the Expedition Medal? There should not be any argument of either, now should there?
Forrest Bahler
USS Renville APA 227
Email: co-bjvcr@juno.com
In addition, I remember while in Wetok, just before we left to come home , while
everyone was topside, who ever it was , came and took our bedding (blankets ) and issued us new blankets. I wonder who might do this ? Never did find out. Would it be that our blankets were being tested for radiation ? Makes one wonder now doesn't it ? What about the
medal being turned down again ?Now isn't that just something. But I suppose that those in the pentagon would be able to slap one on their lapel we might be considerd for one !!!!!!
Atomic veterans have not recieved any recognition for our sacrifices, none what so ever
!!!!!!!! Our contributions as guinea pigs for our government has not revealed a thing!!!!!!!
WE gave selfless service , we have all risked our lives and well being, forever.
Forrest Bahler
USS Renville APA 227
Email: co-bjvcr@juno.com
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