Operation Hardtack 1
1958
US Atomic Veterans
Arden Brooks
Arden Brooks sent email about his duty at Operation Hardtack.
From: "ARDEN BROOKS" brooksarden@hotmail.com
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Operation Hardtack
Date: Thu, 03 Feb 2000
Hello Keith,
I served on board the USS Belle Grove, LSD-2 from 1957 to 1960 and was a
signalman second class in the "O" Division. The Belle Grove was assigned to
Operation Hardtack from April to September 1958 in the Marshall Islands. We
spent most of our time under-way, carrying cargo between Pearl Harbor,
Eniwetok, and Johnston Island. We observed many of the Atomic tests that
were conducted during that period of time. We would all go out on the main
deck after the bright flash was over and observe the Mushroom clouds that
would develop in the sky. We even had to use our so-called automatic
wash-down system that would spray the entire ship with sea water. They never
gave us any information why this was being done, but I always thought we
must have had some "hot" spots on board.
The most impressive test I observed was the high altitude anti-ballistic
missile tests conducted at Johnston Island. I was stationed in the Radio
Room and when the blast went off, we could see the bright flash coming
through the bulk-heads, where there were minute breaks or cracks. It was like
watching a science fiction movie. When we were allowed to go on deck, there
was a huge purple cloud in the sky with lighting shooting out of it. We
could feel the electricity in the air around us. Just prior to being herded
into the radio room, we were allowed to watch the Nike "Hercules", two
stage, anti-aircraft, anti-ballistic missiles being launched from Johnston
Island to gather data from the blast. That was quite the sight, because they
launched something like six missiles one after the other. I also, remember
some of us were on the Island near the landing strip when a Navy Neptune
patrol bomber took off with jet assist and we had to hit the deck because we
were being pelted with small rocks. About the biggest bang I got from the
tests at Johnston Island was when I left the bridge of the ship and went
down to our living quarters to retreve something from my personnel locker.
About that time, another shipmate of mine deceided he wanted to horseplay,
so I took off, running back up the ladder. I had just come down a few monents
before. Anyway, I did not know that someone had just closed the hatch over
the ladder after I came down it. I thought someone had dropped a bomb on me
because everything went black and boy did I see the stars. I ended up with a
deep cut in my forehead and it took a half dozen sutures to close the wound,
just another day in the good old Navy.
We took on board a very large barge one time, we heard there was a atomic
device on it, which was never confirmed by our superiors. I can't remember
for sure where we transported the barge to, but I think it was Eniwetok.
I spent some time on the USS Boxer when I was transfered to her on temporary
assigned duty. I understand one of their signalman had to take a emergency
leave to go home to the States. I can't remember anything intereresting
about her, other then she was "big" and they served good chow.
I remember swimming in the ocean off the Island of Japtan with the shark
nets protecting the swimming area. Oh Yes, there were sharks out there and
they looked pretty hungry to me. Can't forget the rides back to the Belle
Grove on the LCM's. The guys on our ship were wearing khaki shorts, which
the sailors from the other ships would make fun of us, so there would be
fist fights taking place. They would always use the fire hoses to try to
break us up, sometimes it even worked. I was one of the smart sailors that
didn't care to participate, so I would always get to the very back of the
landing boat where it was safer. I was not going to die for God and Country
by a drunken sailor. Some of the "boys" got banged up pretty good.
There are more tales and stories to tell, but will wait to see my old
shipmates at the Belle Grove ship's reunion this coming July.
Sincerly,
Ardie Brooks
Email: brooksarden@hotmail.com
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