Operation Crossroads
US Atomic Veterans
Frank Boeglin
From: fboeglin@cox.net
To: "Keith Whittle" pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Operation Crossroads
Date: Wed, 2 Feb 2000
Hi Keith;
Here are some recollections of my experiences at Bikini Atoll (June to
August 1946). My association with Operation Crossroads began while waiting for
assignment to IBM School after Boot Camp. Six of us, Carl L. Bryant, Enid
, Okla.; Dean C. Ellis, Salt Lake City, Utah; Donald K. Davis, Paducah, KY; Harry R. Hunsacker,
Fla; and Neil M. Ziak, Gardena, CA. were sent to San Francisco. However, the school
had been filled prior to our arrival so we were sent to Pearl Harbor to
attend school there. Same story, it had been filled. After waiting around
for two plus weeks we were informed they were looking for some Yeoman Strikers
for ComSerDiv11 to participate in the A-Bomb Tests at Bikini Atoll. We
immediately volunteered our services as it sounded as if it would be an
adventure.
We boarded the USS Dixie (AD-14) for the trip to Bikini. Upon our
arrival there we were transferred to the USS Ajax (AR-6) for the remainder
of the test from June until the end of August 1946. ComSerDiv11 consisted
of several officers and about ten yeomen from 1st Class down to strikers.
We were responsible for tracking and reporting on ships and personnel
involved in the operation. This included arrivals and departures of ships
and personnel transfers from target ships to various other assignments. As
you can imagine it was quite a time consuming job. There were some long
hours put into the effort. At one time we worked 36 hours straight, except
for chow, in order to have a report ready.
There were quite a few incidents that occured during our stay at Bikini
but the ones that stand out the most was the awesome sights of the two
detonations. The first was an air drop and the second an underwater shot.
As others have related we were not allowed to view the air drop (Test Able)
until after the flash had subsided. As spectacular as that was it didn't
compare to the underwater detonation (Test Baker) which we allowed to
observe from start to finish. Prior to "Baker" there was some scuttlebutt
that it might create a tidal wave. In fact, as the condensation from the
base surge began to roll outwards from the huge column of water thrown into
the air I heard several people ask if that could be the wave. After a few
seconds we were informed over the PA that is was condensation and nothing to
be alarmed about.
We re-entered the lagoon (test site) the same afternoon. After several
hours at anchor we were ordered to leave the lagoon as it was "too hot" with
radiation. We stayed out for a couple of days before returning. In the
meantime we visited another island in the atoll group. I think the name of
it was Rongerik or Rongelap. Not really sure.
Liberties on Bikini were a lot of fun. They had several different
games, swimming, food, soft drinks and 3.2 beer. As I recall we were given
two chits good for beer but if you knew somebody that didn't want theirs you
could get a couple more. I remember some guys tried to sneak some bottles
back aboard ship. This went on until the authorities got smart and erected
a fence with two exits to the boat dock. At each exit was a Shore Patrol
with a night stick. If you had a bulge in your dungaree pockets they would
tap the pocket with their night stick. I saw more than one swabby go back
with wet dungarees and broken glass in his pockets.
After the conclusion of Operation Crossroads our command returned to
Pearl Harbor where we joined ComServPac. We were there until our unit was
disbanded in August 1947. I joined the USS Warrick (AKA-89) as it was
returning to the States after making a run to Guam to deliver some
construction equipment. I shall never forget the times and the experiences
of Operation Crossroads.
Starting in 1988, I have had two bouts with cancer. The first was with
a tumor attached to my bladder which shut down my left kidney. After a
successful operation to remove the tumor and my kidney I underwent three
months of Chemotherapy. After a hearing and tests at the Naval Hospital in
Long Beach, CA, I was awarded a partial disability compensation. Since
then, in 1998, I was diagnosed with Esophagal cancer and have undergone
thirty-five radiation treatments and more Chemo. So far both cancers are in
remission. I have not pursued my latest incident with the VA as yet.
Well, Keith, there is more I could relate about things that went on
while at Bikini but I think I have pretty much covered the most important.
I would really like to hear from my buddies I spent time with while at
ComSerDiv11.
Thanks again,
Frank Boeglin
fboeglin@cox.net
--Keith Whittle
February 3, 2000
Operation Crossroads