Operation Hardtack 1
1958
US Atomic Veterans
Robert De Blasi
Robert De Blasi sent email about his duty at Operation Hardtack.
From: RobAGS50@aol.com
Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 14:56:17 EST
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Operation Hardtack I Experiences
Keith,
My name is Robert De Blasi and as a 21 year old sailor, I participated in
Operation Hardtack I. I served aboard the USS Rehoboth AGS50, a geodetic
survey ship involved in oceanographic missions. I was an aerographers mate
second class (AG2), the ship's ranking weatherman. Rehoboth was in Task group
7.3. We steamed from Pearl Harbor and entered Eniwetok Proving Grounds on
April 28, 1958 and departed on May 28, 1958. During that period I witnessed 10
shots, 7 at Eniwetok and 3 from Bikini. The detonations ranged from the low
kiloton to the high megaton ranges. All ships company received a personal film
badge which was worn at all times; these were surrendered upon leaving the
test area in May. During a stop at Johnston Island, 8 scientists from the US
Geodetic Survey boarded and remained with us throughout our stay at Eniwetok.
Their mission was to conduct various operations with those of us in E company.
Rehoboth's mission was, primarily, to conduct operations before and after the
10 KT shot Wahoo. This consisted of finding temperature and density
distributions of seawater at shot time and to monitor fallout. Throughout the
operation, we conducted the following operations; bathythermograph, trawling
nets, Nansen bottles, core samples, plankton sampling, fish specimens, and Dan
buoys. Operations were conducted around and on ground zero for shot Wahoo
prior to detonation and 24 hours after the shot. At the time of the shot,
Rehoboth was about 6 miles, southeast of the blast. This shot was to test the
effect of a nuclear bomb on submarines, friendlies as well as foes. About ten
minutes after the shot I was directed to lower a bathythermograph into the
water for test data. After we steamed into the area to determine the 10MR/hr
radiation curve. The ship and its crew received radioactive fallout several
times during our stay at Eniwetok. During one incident, the ship's washdown
system was activated, and immediately after the all clear, the deck crew
scrubbed down all the decks.
It certainly was a period in my life that has left me with vivd memories.
Getting up at 05:30 to witness some of the detonations. We were issued no
protective devices or clothing. We had to sit on the deck, against a bulkhead
that was opposite the shot. Who can forget the bright light that ensued as
the shot was detonated, so much so that you could see through the skin and see
the bones. We counted the seconds until the heat and shock waves hit the ship.
Then we moved to the other side of the ship to see the spectacular cloud
rising and boiling into hues of red, orange, and browns.
Thank god I am in good health. My grandson was born with two congenital
conditions.
I can document my presence at the test site. I am in the government's
documentary of the operation. There is a three-second sequence showing me (on
the left) and a shipmate on the port side of the ship's fantail preparing a
bathythermograph for an operation.
Here are some resources I was able to obtain. Maybe they can be helpful to
other atomic vets.
* Ship's Log (cost $0.25 per page)
Head, Fleet Support Branch
Department of the Navy
Office of the Chief of Naval operations
OP-09B18D
Washington, DC 20350
* Official Government Review of Hardtack I
Operation Hardtack I , 1958.
United States Atmospheric Nuclear Test Personnel Review,
DNA 6038F (470 pages)
( I obtained this from a local university and copied it. It is available
in selected
libraries and universities around the country.)
* Historic Information About Rehoboth
Department of the Navy
Ship's Histories Branch
Naval Historical Center
Washington Navy Yard
Washington, DC 20374
* Radiation Exposure History
Reynolds Electrical and engineering Co., Inc.
PO Box 14400
Las Vegas, Nevada 89114
I understand that Bill H.R. 432, The Atomic Veteran Radiation Medal Act
received an Unfavorable Executive comment from the Department of Defense (May
1997). It defies logic that the Navy is now considering awarding a medal to
any sailor on active duty who recruits 4 persons to join the service, due to
the shortage of enlistees, and atomic veterans who have suffered so much for
so long are passed aside. Can't NAAV get legislators to sponsor a similar
bill again? What needs to be done?
I wish all atomic vets good luck, keep the faith, band together, and support
NAAV's efforts on our behalf!
Sincerely,
Robert De Blasi
March 20, 1999
Email: RobAGS50@aol.com
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