Hardtack 1958
US Atomic Veterans
Ron Berwick
Ron Berwick sent email about his duty at Operation Hardtack.
Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2001
From: Ron Berwick graron@wwbbs.net
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Participant
Dear Sirs,
I was a participant in Operation Hardtack. My duty ship was the USS
Merapi AF38 from March of 1957 through January of 1959 when we put her
out of commission at Astoria, Oregon. Our mission was delivering
provisions (foodstuffs) to Kwajalien, Eniwetok and Bikini from NSC,
Pearl Harbor. During my time aboard, I witnessed three shots. I don't
remember the exact dates, but I believe I was there for Oak, which was
on my brother's birthday, June 29, 1958.
My ship was built by the Pennsylvania Ship Yard, Beaumont, Texas, 1945.
That is also my home town. Since my grandmother lived near the ship
yard, my cousins and I watched several launchings. One could have been
the Merapi.
On my first cruise to the Marshall's, we picked up about 70 personnel
from Kwajalien and took them down to Brisbane, Australia for R & R.
Thanks for this web site. My children should now be able to know some
of what I was a part of.
R. H. Berwick
(formerly DK3, USNR)
Email: graron@wwbbs.net
Keith Whittle
April 22, 2001
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