Operation Greenhouse
US Atomic Veterans
Keith D. Cunday
From: Keith D. Cunday
Date: 5 Dec. 2003
To: Keith
Subject: Cpl Keith D Cunday.
I served on the USS Curtiss AV4 during the Operation Greenhouse
April 1950 to June 1950.
Our Primary Duty was to guard the compartment on the ship, that contained Top
Secret Material. Only certain personnel were allowed to enter certain compartments. We check ed badges, and the picture of the individual that was allowed in the compartments.
We also escorted the bomb to the island on which the test was performed.
I remember on one test, I escorted a bomb to Runit island.
I remember the first shot that I saw. I was told to turn my back to the
shot cover my eyes with my arms,
count to thousand four and then turn around to watch the mushroom
cloud. Being engrossed of the sight in
front of me, not thinking of the sound that was to come a few second later,
when it hit me I jumped a few feet off the deck. Not knowing what was going on. It sure gave you a scare.
The next Shot I was able to use the
dark glasses.
This is a adventure that will be remember the rest of my life.
Semper Fi
Keith Cunday
Diamond Bar CA.
kcunday@linkline.com
--Keith Whittle
December 7, 2004
Operation Greenhouse