Aubrey C. Fisher
From: "AUBREY FISHER" aubandclaire@verizon.net
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Crossroads Bikini 1946
Date: July 4, 2007
Hi Keith, My name is Aubrey C. Fisher and I was a S1/c Radioman Striker
aboard the USS Apalachian AGC 1 for the Able & Baker Day tests @ Bikini in 1946.
Myself and three shipmates graduated from Radio Operator school @ Bainbridge Naval
Station, Perryville, Maryland in May 1946 and were picked to particapate in a special
project, no name given! After leaving California aboard ship 3 days later we were told
what the special project was - "OPERATION CROSSROADS", WOW!!!! G L Dotson
and Robert (Slim) Fuhs were transferred to the Mt. Mckinley after arriving @ Bikini, Nick
Kresella along with me stayed aboard the "APPLE".
We entered the Bikini Lagoon 7
hours after Able Day explosion, swam in the lagoon, visited target ships etc being told
all was okay!!! Same deal some 6-7 hrs after Baker Day. Since then Nick passed away
some time ago, not sure when, G L Dotson passed May of this year after many medical
problems, cancer etc. Slim Fuhs has also had problems, cancer operation etc. I have
had several cancer types, large one removed from my right ear in the late 80's. several
removed from my scalp, forhead, temple and two years ago prostate cancer. Not sure
what caused Nicks death.
We lost contact with Nick soon after discharge, he was from
New York, G L and Slim and I have been in contact over the years and very frequently
in the past 3 - 4 years and are great friends, G L from Arkansas, Slim from Wyoming,
now in California and me from Delaware.
I have had the government run-around now
for over 5 years, shuffled from local VA to FT. Belvoir, Va and now they tell me
Ft. Belvoir sent my records to Jackson, Mississippi???? They bottom line is they
will stall long enough till we all DIE OFF! It WAS after all 61 years ago & counting!!
GREAT site which I just found.
THANK YOU,
Aubrey Fisher
Email:aubandclaire@verizon.net
[ Operation Crossroads ]