Hardtack 1958
US Atomic Veterans
Bob Eix
Bob Eix sent email about his duty at Operation Hardtack.
From: "bob eix" eix@mindspring.com
To: "Keith" pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Re: OPERATION HARDTACK
Date: Fri, 22 Sep 2000
Hi Keith
I remember Operation Hardtack as an experience I won't soon
forget. We left the west coast and headed to Hawaii first. I will never
forget going past the Arizona Memorial and remembering the sacrifice our
fallen comrades made for us. It's something none of us should ever forget.
Our first liberty was a lot of fun for me. I was just nineteen and my
first time away from the mainland. I remember as a seaman I didn't have much money, so we stayed at the YMCA
and slept on a cot in the gym for seventy five cents a night.
We left Hawaii and headed for the Bikini Islands . Crossing the
International Date Line was pretty interesting. I remember the first time
we got two Sundays. The next two times we got extra work days funny
how that worked out. Ha Ha.
When we got there I remember seeing Japanese planes in the water
that had been shot down during the war. I also remember filling the well deck with water and we used it as a very large swimming pool . Also seeing shipmates fishing for Trigger fish or anything else that would bite.
The two ground level shots were pretty awesome . I believe we were
forty one miles away from ground zero. We all had to wear badges that would change color if we were exposed to too much radiation.
Then we went to Johnston Island for an overhead shot. It was to be fifty seven miles up
when it was detonated. Most of us were kept below deck. When the shot went off I was right next to an air vent. The flash went off and it was like having a camera flash to go off right
in front of your eyes. Its an experience I will never forget. After the blast we were told we could go up on deck. The night was a mass of colors. Soon we were told to sit on the deck and brace ourselves for the shock wave. The sound was like a shotgun going off. Later we were told they saw the explosion in Hawaii and thought it was another attack on the islands.
It is something I hope I will not have to see again. I was proud to serve with my friends on the Belle Grove.
Bob Eix
USS Belle Grove (March 1957 - Feb. 1959)
Email: eix@mindspring.com
Keith Whittle
September 22, 2000
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