Operation Plumbbob
US Atomic Veterans
David G. Barrett
Subject: RE: More Interesting Data
From: mlbarrett123@aol.com.
To: "Keith"
Keith
Well, we are still fighting the good fight, but I have worn out. My husband has moved to Dunlap TN, where I will join him once I retire, and my daughter is helping him with the case. They have recently provided him with several pieces of equipment including two air purifiers, a nebulizer, an aspirator to keep his airways clean, a scooter w/carrier, handicap placard for his cars, all of which, we've been told by an attorney, should help his claim. They are also working on getting him classified as 100% disabled, which will also help, even though he is retired now. I just don't have the time to do the legwork involved because most of my time is spent either on the job or commuting! Not much time for a life. We're still hopeful, since my daughter's mother in law is friends with the governor of Tennessee, who has been really helpful getting claims through for a variety of other medical claims--Agent Orange, Persian Gulf Illness and a couple of radiation exposure cases. She is going to get my daughter and husband in to see him, so they are getting everything together to present. Wish us luck.
Marion
From: BARRETTRobbinb98@aol.com
Date: Tue, 8 Jun 1999
Subject: Plumbbob Vet
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Keith
This is regarding David's job and experiences during the time he was
stationed at Desert Rock. Attached to the 261st Signal Corps out of Ft Bliss, TX, his primary MOS prior to this time was that of a pole lineman. During his TDY to the test sites, he was responsible for laying communications lines throughout the test area for all military
personnel who were involved in the projects.
Shortly after leaving the desert, the signal group to which he was assigned
was disbanded and he was assigned to a signal corps on assignment to NATO in
Italy.
I believe three of the men with whom he was stationed in the desert also went
to Italy with him, but for the exception of one, he has had no further
contact with any of them since being discharged from the Army in 1959.
He states that his team walked along behind a truck which had the
communications cable reel on it, laying the cable in the irradiated dust.
They were laying the lines in areas which were already contaminated, with no
thought given to radiation suits for any of the men. The entire area where
they were working was already contaminated from who knows how many
detonations.
There were times when they would be in areas less than 2 miles from ground
zero, when a bomb would be detonated. They were underneath the cloud, with
dust and debris falling on them in their Jeep as they raced to get away from
the fallout. Evidently the area had also been used for a firing range,
because he speaks of picking up 50 caliber shells from the dust and taking
them back to their tents.
It seems that many times the actual KT rating of the bomb was completely
unknown, most generally being UNDERESTIMATED rather than overestimated in its
power. He was behind a mountain, approximately three miles as the crow flies
from the tower being detonated, on one occasion, and says that they were told
to hit the deck with their eyes buried in their arms. When the explosion
occurred, he said dust was blown into his nostrils, and even with his eyes
closed, he could see every bone in his arm from the flash of the blast.
How can the government expose their men to risks like this when in private
industry if anything even a fraction as dangerous was practiced, there would
be all kinds of sanctions against them. David has several health issues that
doctors have stated are quite possibly related to his prolonged exposure to
the radiation, including asthma (which he never had prior to that time) and
recurrent throat cancer. At the moment he is still in remission, but will
never be able to speak without the use of an electronic device. Both his
otolaryngologist and primary care physician feel that this cancer is most
likely a result of the prolonged exposure, and have issued letters to this
effect in an attempt to help him receive the compensation from the
government. His doctor in Tucson who diagnosed the asthma stated that it is
quite possible that the asthma could have resulted from this as well, but
would not stick his neck out to put it into writing. One other problem he
has, but I don't know if it could be related to the exposure, is he bleeds so
easily and quite profusely when scratched, as though his skin is paper thin.
I sent to St Louis for his service records, but received a letter back
stating that his records were among those which had been destroyed in the
fire at the archives. How convenient. I fully intend to pursue this issue
until all avenues are closed to us. What is the pain and suffering of those
who were so carelessly exposed to what was known to be completely deadly?
What is it worth to a man to lose his voice, or even his life in service of a
system that wilfully exposes them to such danger?
This is as much as I know of his experiences. As a matter of fact, he really
didn't talk too much about them before his cancer. I do know a great deal of
his experiences were pushed to the distant reaches of his memory until this
happened.
I hope this will be of use to you.
Marion Barrett
BARRETTRobbinb98@aol.com
or
robbinb00@yahoo.com
From: BARRETTRobbinb98@aol.com
Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2001
Subject: (no subject)
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Keith--
Recently my husband, David Barrett's, claim filed for compensation for cancer
was denied by the VA. Previously it was denied by the Defense Threat
Reduction Agency. I have been in contact with the Disabled Veterans' to
enlist their help, but would be grateful for any insight you could give. I
have spoken with many people about this and they have all said to not give
up. However, I have no idea what step to take next. Both his primary care
physician and the surgeon who performed his surgery have provided letters
stating that they believe his cancer was a direct result of prolonged
exposure to radiation.
What I would like to know is, who in the VA makes the decision as to whether
to approve or deny claims. Are doctors the ones who decide, or is it merely
some beaurocrat who arbitrarily makes that decision? Any insight you can give
me will be of help. I know in my heart that his cancer was caused by his
exposure, but trying to cut through all the red tape is really frustrating to
say the least.
I hope to hear from you in the near future.
Marion Barrett
BARRETTRobbinb98@aol.com
or
robbinb00@yahoo.com
Keith Whittle
June 10, 1999
Update March 18,2001
Operation Plumbbob