Operation Wigwam and Redwing
US Atomic Veterans
Bill Bonham
Bill Bonham sent email about his duty at Operation Wigwam and Redwing.
From: "WLBonham" wlbonham@superonramp.com
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: USS Mt. McKinley
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2005
I was viewing your website on atomic veterans. I came across this while
attempting to find something on the Mt. McKinley. I was on the Mt. McKinley
during the Wigwam test off the coast of California in 1955.
There were three such tests that I was involved in while aboard the McKinley. One was the Wigwam which I have a certificate for, another was in the Marshall Islands, May
1956, this was a Hydrogen bomb test. The other one I am not able to recall
the date or where it was located, although it was highly classified at the
time. I do remember they sent out in the ships letter after the test
entitled Shake Rattle and Row.
I along with three other enlisted men were the ones that installed the wash
down system aboard the ship. I was the petty officer in charge of the
installation. I took a lot of heat over that one. When we went to sea I tested
the system to make sure it was functioning properly. At the time we had
several scientists and newspaper photographers aboard to run some test to
see how effective the system was and get pictures of the system in
operation. Well they can't say they were not warned because it was passed
out over the ships PA system that the test would commence at 0500. All
equipment was to be removed from exposed decks. Thinking things were safe on
the 03 to 05 deck they left them out while yet under cover. Guess what? Boy,
were they mad, everything was covered with nice fresh salt water, the system
worked just fine. The Captain of the ship came to my rescue. Thank God, I
survived another day at sea.
So far I have suffered no ill effects, however a friend of mine has suffered
cancer, he was on the Badoeing Strait CVE 116, I believe he was also
assigned to our task force during the Hydrogen Bomb test in 1956. I will
attempt to get some of the information to him.
Thanks
Bill Bonham
Email: wlbonham@superonramp.com
Keith Whittle
March 2, 2005
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