Nagasaki
1945
U.S. Atomic Veterans
John Bankston
From: JOHNBANKS1007148@aol.com
Date: Tue, 17 Jul 2001
Subject: Atomic Historical Records
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
MS/Sir:
Do you have complete information on Nagasaki, Japan? My unit 2nd Marine
Division was some of the first to enter Japan after leaving Okanawa.
I have filed claims several times and as I have mentioned to
Congressmen and Senators over and over Atomic Veterans cannot compete with an
Army of Nuclear Physics.
The Energy Department after several request for various reasons
verified the time of my entry, name of ship, location, how long in and around
Nagasaki etc. Is this as good as being on the V.A. Register?
I had to medically retire in 1968. No Dr. then or now will talk about
Ionizing and radiation. Secrets were keep from Doctors until recently. Now
their replys are why do you want to bring up the past that far back? They do
not want to get involved.
Thank you for any points of contacts on how to get pictures, records
etc.
John Bankston
Nagasaki, Japan 1945
Email: JOHNBANKS1007148@aol.com
From: JOHNBANKS1007148@aol.com
Date: Thu, 19 Jul 2001
Subject: Re: Atomic Historical Records
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Hi Keith:
Thanks for the Information and contact points. In answer to where I am
from, Mobile, Alabama. During WW11 a James E. Broadbent from Akron, Ohio
called me Swampie. His Dad was superintendent for the Mohawk Rubber Co. and
he carried the nick name Moe. At one time my unit was mostly made up of
Northern and Westerners. The Alamo and Civil war came up on a regular basis.
In the state of Alabama we formed Alabama (ALEVETS), which was active
for seven years. We got several bills for local veterans (ie. EX POW'S,
Veterans Nursing Home in Bay Minete, Alabama etc. Out of the whole bunch
there was only two Atomic Veterans. I kept explaining how Atomic Vets were
the least recognized of all vets. We drafted a resolution that became a bill
like one or two other states did. Then Governor Fob James signed it and
forwarded it up the normal chain. We had eighteen backers, however, Sen.
Spector or Dick Armey killed it. In it's inclusion was to give purple hearts
to Atomic Vets. No doubt this would have proven personal injuries and
compensation would be inline and you fully understand why this bill was
killed.
Keith, I have worked very hard for Atomic Vets. and all others. At
times we would contact every Congressman and Sen. in Washington.
I had Thrift Stores financing our First Congressional District. At one
time I tried to work funds into NAAV. Currently, I am working on a concept
that could be helpful. Will explain more when things are more definite.
John Bankston
Nagasaki, Japan 1945
Email: JOHNBANKS1007148@aol.com
From: JOHNBANKS1007148@aol.com
Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2001
Subject: Ionizing Radaition Exposure & Duties in Japan
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Hi Keith:
As Per your request the following information can be confirmed by a
Department of Defense Nuclear Agency Letter received by my request and the
help of Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama.
A review of Marine Corps historical records confirms my presence at
Nagasaki during the American occupation of Japan. On September 23, 1945,
while attached to "C" Company, 2nd Pioneer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, I
arrived with my unit aboard USS MELLETTE (APA 156) at Nagasaki,Kyushu, Japan,
from Siapan, Mariana Islands. We had just gotten back from the invasion of
Okinawa, my unit was embarked on the MILLETTE to and from Okinawa also. I
remained with "C" Company at Nagasaki until December 28,1945, when my unit
moved to Sasebo (approximately 30 miles north of Nagasaki and 150 miles
southwest of Hiroshima).
While at Nagasaki we were detailed through the Mitsubishi Factory
without any protective gear. We made disposition of their weapons, aircraft,
rifles and other fighting equipment using our bare hands under military
discipline and was never informed of the dangers of Ionizing Radiation.
Matter of fact the word Radiation was never mentioned. The first time that I
was inside the Mitsubishi Factory I made an attempt to remove a machinist
tool because it looked like one on our farm, however, it was welded to the
machinist bench from the intense heat caused by the Atomic Bomb dubbed "FAT
BOY" was estimated to have exploded approximately 1800 feet above ground. We
ate their contaminated food with radiation in it, drank contaminated water,
slept in the buildings in and around the bombing, yet we were not close
enough to be exposed. You know the story.
A few of us were attached to the Six Marine HQ in Fukuoka, Kyushu
for a short duty period.
On July 7, 1946, I embarked aboard USS KERSHAW (APA 176) at Sasebo,
departing Sasebo on July 8, 1946, enroute to the continental United States
via Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, and the Panama Canal Zone.
John D. Bankston
Semmes, Alabama
Email: JOHNBANKS1007148@aol.com
Keith Whittle
July 21, 2001
Nagasaki