Operation Ivy
US Atomic Veterans
Ed Gettler
Ed Gettler sent email about his duty at Operation Ivy.
From: Pappypac@aol.com
Date: Tue, 26 Sep 2000
Subject: Thanx
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Hi Mates,
Just a line to let you know how much I appreciate your efforts in creating
this great web page..Sure does bring back a lot of memories. Also, it kinda
ticks me off that all this went on, and we are the ones who are suffering the
results of these tests, silently, and without any recourse. I hope that all
my shipmates are in good health and enjoying their twilight years to the
fullest..
I served aboard the USS Curtiss AV4 from '52-53 in
the "E" Div. We were at Eniwetok for Operation Ivy, shot "MIKE". We enjoyed
our liberty during those three months or so, at a "beach party", with an old
Jap pillbox still there. Of course, we did not realize that there had been
several tests there in the past, and didn't know the potential harm that
existed while we were splashing and snorkelling in this "HOT" water...
From: Pappypac@aol.com
Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2000
Subject: Veterans' Advantage
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com,
Fall 2000 Veterans' Advantage magazine had an article by Network Director
Farsetta about "Remebering the Forgotten War". Of course, you know that
really ticks me off, because not only was the war forgotten, but the "ATOMIC
VETERANS" were more like swept under the rug, just like the rotting "GUINEA
PIGS" that we are.
Too bad that Congress couldn't even find us worthwhile
enough to pass a Campaign Medal to provide us with "Service Connection"
benefits... Too bad also, that the people of the Marshall Islands are
suffering much the same ailments we are...but they are very nicely taken care
of....
I guess it doesn't count that we were serving our Country, during a
time when we needed to show our power.. VA denied my claim, all the way to
Wash. and the BVA. But you can be certain that I would shout the cause of the
"ATOMIC VETERAN" from the top of the World if I get the chance...
From: Pappypac@aol.com
Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2000
Subject: Re: Veterans' Advantage
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Hey Keith,
As best I can remember, it was a time span of three months, give or take a week, from Sept. 1952 to Dec. or early Jan. 1953. The USS Curtiss crew and I steamed to the Marshall
Islands after we had all been cleared for duty on this cruise. Mostly I
remember being anchored off a small island; that was where the "civilian"
scientists and technicians were assembling the test mechanism. There was a
Marine Detactment aboard, and their duty was standing guard at various
Compartments. On occasion I remember that a small boat made a few trips to
Kwaj, the purpose, I am unsure.
The crew enjoyed "Liberty" [if you want to call it that] on one of the other
little islands located in the same lagoon with the "test" island. Swim
Parties is what it was called and we were allocated two cans of "sea stores"
beer. I remember that the snorkelling was absolutely beautiful. The colors of
the fish and the coral formations were breath-taking. I remember one swab was
so impressed with the size of the huge clams there, that he attempted to
bring one ashore, by picking it up,and walking on the ocean floor until he
needed air, putting it down, coming up for a gulp of air and returning to the
task. He did ok until he got the thing close enough he could stand up with
it; he started walking ashore with the monster resting on his thighs,
slashing himself close to the bone on both legs. I really never found out
what happened to that swab, because I didn't know who he was. I do know it
was a close call for him, bleeding that way, and being several hundred yards
from Sick Bay.. A couple of other swabs were hurt bad while swimming and a
small boat backed down over them. I don't have any more details than that
about those incidents.
I do also remember there were a lot of incidents of "fungus" in the ears at
"sick bay", when I reported there, after my face stuck to the pillow one
morning. The ears would leak brown goo.
On the "swim party" island I remember that there was an old Japanese "pill
box" still there, and very eery feeling too.
After a couple of months, we hauled anchor and steamed out farther into the
lagoon or whatever it's called; we were supposedly forty miles off from the
test island. It was early morning the day of the test, when over the loud
speaker came, "all hands not on watch, report to quarters". Quarters is where
we fell in for muster. Then it came over the speaker, " all hands roll down
your sleeves and fold down your white hats; face starboard". Shortly after
that came the count-down, followed by a flash of heat and a great gust of
wind. Then it was annonced that we could turn around... I remember clearly my
first impression was, what's the big deal, then I realized that there was two
suns in the sky, the left-most one was travelling upward with a tail of smoke
trailing behind. When it peaked out I was looking STRAIGHT UP. The only
Mushroom cloud I ever want to see, filled the sky over-head.
After that the deck crew was mustered to hose down the ship with salt water
fore and aft. Next day we steamed to one of the islands or whatever was left.
I don't have too much on where because I was below on watch or on "sea and
anchor detail". After all this we steamed to Pearl to dry dock to scrape the
barnacles off the hull and refitting.
I transferred off for a ship on the East Coast some short time after we went
into dry dock.
Sincerely,
Ed Gettler
"E" Div. USS Curtiss '52-53
Email: Pappypac@aol.com
Keith Whittle
October 18, 2000
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