Operation Castle
US Atomic Veterans
Norris J. Darbonne
Norris J. Darbonne sent email about his duty at Operation Castle.
From: "Bernita Hood"
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Re: Norris J. Darbonne
Date: Sun, 4 Jun 2006
My uncle, Norris Joseph Darbonne Sr. passed away on Sunday, May 28, 2006. He was an United States Atomic Veteran. Thank you for this much needed web site. Tina Price, Maurepas, Louisiana
From: rogerdarbonne@webtv.net (Roger Darbonne)
Date: Sun, 14 May 2000
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com (Keith)
Subject: Re: Atomic Veteran (Operation Castle)
I, Norris Darbonne was a crew member on the Yag-39. It was a Merchant Marine Ship that was converted to the Yag-39 . The yag-40 was on site also. My job was to run personnel back and forth to the harbor. I was stationed at Perry Island.
The
Yag-39 was in the direct path of the fallout. When the bomb was
detonated we saw the sky get really pink and the we could see the
fallout. We turned away from the blast and then we felt the heat on our
backs like someone ran a torch down your back. After the detonation we
left the test site. Once we returned to Hunters Point we were
quaranteened for three months. They ran all kinds of tests on us.
When we were chosen for the test mission we signed papers stating we
had choice of duty after the tests were complete. But upon reaching
Hunters Point we were told that the military changed their mind and I
was sent to Korea for the Korean War.
There is a letter out that I received from the American Legion to
compensate the Veterans for the Atomic Radiation. The President has
appropreated money for those caught in the fallout. If you haven't
received this letter I can send you a copy.
I'm sick and had prostate cancer. According to the doctors the cancer
could have been caused by the radiation. According to the letter I am
eligible for compensation.
Norris Darbonne
Email: rogerdarbonne@webtv.net
Keith Whittle
May 21, 2000
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