Hardtack 1958 US Atomic Veterans Everett L. Ford Everett L. Ford sent email about his duty at Operation Hardtack. Date: Tue, 13 Apr 2004 From: EVERETT FORD leeford1316@sbcglobal.net Subject: Death of US Atomic Veteran To: Keith pdxavets@aracnet.com Hi Keith I have been reading information related to the atomic tests in the Pacific. I have been saddened and made fearful regarding radiation related medical problems and death. Can you tell me if their have been a number of radiation related death for members of Operation Hardtack 1? Thank you for any information you might send. Thanks for responding so quickly. I was looking through the internet and found a letter sent to you from someone I knew. Tony DiDomenico. We worked together on the Los Angeles City Fire Department for many years. He was a very interesting, colorful, and admired member. He passed away January 18, 2004 almost two months to the day after his wife died. I am not sure of the cause, but had heard he had been ailing for some time. He was part of OPERATION CASTLE. He was assigned to the USS Bairoko CVE-115 during that operation. I was working aboard the USS Munsee ATF-107 as a Shipfitter. I along with most of the crew was ordered to view around 30 A and H bomb explosions. The gieger counter reading were never very high aboard our ship. I can't say what damage Gamma Rays might have done to us. We did not monitor them. I did feel the heatwave from several of the bomb tests. The Munsee was directly involved with two underwater tests. We picked up the test buoys after each detonation. Our shoes indicated contamination sometime later when checked with the Geiger counter. My health so far has been pretty good. I seem to keep a cold longer than I should, and at 67 tire easily. I work out with exercise machines, run, and climb hills almost daily to keep fit. I have severe Tinnitus in each ear, and hearing loss. I would like to get in touch with any Munsee vets., who were a part of Operation Hardtack 1. Thanks Keith Sincerely Everett L. Ford formerly assigned to the USS Munsee ATF 107. Email: leeford1316@sbcglobal.net Keith Whittle April 14, 2004 [ Operation Hardtack1 ] [ Home Page || What's New || Email || Family Mail Call || Notes and Hints ] [ Atomic Veterans, Atomic Test Series and Dates ] [ Videos ] Information about the National Association of Atomic Veterans [ The NAAV Story || NAAV Medical Data Base Information ] Atomic Veterans History Project © 2004 For use of the material found on this web site, please send us an email with your request.