Operation Castle
US Atomic Veterans
Bob Ederle
Bob Ederle sent email about his duty at Operation Castle.
From: GrocBoy1@aol.com
Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2000
Subject: Operation Castle
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com (Keith)
Hi Keith,
I was at Operation Castle, on board the USS BAIROKO, CVE 115. I boarded her
on Feb. 7,1951, as a seaman duce, right out of boot camp. Left her for
discharge on June 29,1954, a CS2.
I do remember all the tests, but
thank God I only had to be on the flight deck for muster, some 10 or 15
minutes before the blast. I sat with my back to the blast, as told, and then went to
my station on the mess deck.
When up topside at muster, most of the time, I only wore my cooks whites & white cooks hat. I remember how if went from dark, before the blast, to bright as noon sunshine. So bright that couldn't see a shadow. Heat so hot ...like nothing I had ever felt & still have not
felt since.
As all the guys have said, it's been a long time ago, and they can't
seem to forget the nightmare. As I said, I was below decks after the
blast.....I don't remember any guys being checked for radiation or having badges
to check. I do remember them coming around & checking compartments. I also
remember when they turned off the air below decks & the wave that hit after
Bravo. In the galley all the pots & pans flew all over. It really was a
NIGHTMARE.
I just returned from the BAIROKO reunion in San Antonio,Texas, Oct. 26-29, 2000. This was my first but I will be at the next one in Cincy, Ohio next year, 2001. There was a lot of talk about what we went through.
I have been a member of the NAAV since 1980 & a lot of the shipmates didn't
know about the Association.
Robert H. Ederle
Chesterfield, Mo.
Email: GrocBoy1@aol.com
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