Operation Redwing
1956
US Atomic Veterans (PA)
Jack G. Childs
Date: Mon, 11 May 1998
From: Jack G. Childs
Reply-To: slc@epix.net
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Operation Redwing
I was in the Marines, assigned to HMR 363, during Redwing. We flew in as
an advance party in early Feb. of 56 via the Air Force. One story I like to tell is arriving at Enewetak. We landed somewhere around midnight and they herded us off to an Air Force mess hall and an Air Force mess sgt. fed us the greatest steak & eggs we ever had, with a
smile. I'll never forget how he treated a dozen tired marine enlisted men.
Living was good before the Navy showed up, the water was clean & clear great for
snorkling. Steak every Friday, with plenty of ice cream. We flew civilians to the other islands to set up the test sites and also took radiation readings for previous test.
When the navy showed up with the carrier Bing Ding we were eventualy assigned to the ship and did most of
our flying from the carrier.
I do remember the really big blast the Navy Captain thought "was awe inspiring". Any Marines out there give a call, even swabs from the Bing Ding.
Cpl Jack Childs
slc@epix.net
--Keith Whittle
May 22, 1998
Operation Redwing