Hardtack 1958
US Atomic Veterans
D'Wayne De Ziel
D'Wayne De Ziel sent email about his duty at Operation Hardtack.
From:ddeziel@mediaone.net
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Operation Hardtack
Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2000
My name is D'Wayne D. De Ziel . I served on board the USS Hooper Island ARG 17 for Operation Hardtack I. What was my most memorable moment. There were several but the two that stand out were the air-burst that singed the hair off the back of our heads and of course Umbrella. The Hooper Island was 3000 yards (9000 feet) from ground zero for Umbrella, the plume from the explosion was 5800 feet high and we were staring straight up at the top of it.
The Disbursing Office paid over 800 individuals a month from all the small craft involved including the submarine USS Bonita. It was a fun but scary time and involved lots of hard work. I have been blessed with excellent health except for skin cancer.
I retired from the U.S. Navy as DKC on June 21, 1970.
D'Wayne De Ziel
Email: ddeziel@mediaone.net
Keith Whittle
April 26, 2000
[ Operation Hardtack1 ]