Operation Hardtack 1
1958
US Atomic Veterans
Pete Gettys
Pete Gettys sent email about his duty at Operation Hardtack.
From: PGETTYS@aol.com
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Atomic Veteran (Operation Hardtack)
Hello Keith,
I arrived there fresh out of Tech. school at Belleville, IL. in September 1957.
I was stationed with the 1253D AACS Squadron and was an Airman 3rd class. The
AACS Sqd. maintained the UHF & VHF radio equipment and radio equipment in the
control tower. I worked in the receiver building most of the time but towards
the end of the Operation I moved over to the transmitter building. My tour of
duty lasted until the end of August 1958.
I can remember the tests very well and the Oak blast was the one that sticks
the most in my mind. I also remember there was one underwater test where they
told us we may have waves as high as 6'. They had all of us to go to the two
outdoor theaters, which were the highest places on the island. The waves
never did develop to the size they thought.
When I first arrived on the Island they where doing some type of test with
rockets. They would attach the rockets to balloons and then fill the balloon
with helium (I believe). The balloons would fill up and then go airborne and
when they reach a certain altitude the rockets would fire and go through the
balloons. There were a few rockets that did not go where they were supposed
to.
I read some of the pages on the guys and found one from Harold Ferguson. He
had sent in a picture of his squadron and I was in that picture. I have
several copies of that picture and one copy hangs on my office wall along with
my Certificate of Participation for Operation Hardtack. I have since sent
Harold an e-mail and he has answered.
Keith, I hope I have given you some insight to me, my duties and what I
remember of the test. My concerns at the time I was on the island were
minimal. Now I don't know, I think of the underwater test along with the test
on the barges in the lagoon and us swimming in the lagoon the entire time. I
am now 60 years old and I have fairly good health. If there is anything else
you would like to know about me or my experiences while on the island please
let me know.
As for what I am doing now. I joined a company that makes equipment that goes
on boilers. I have been with them since 1963 and have traveled all over the
United States and a lot of the world. I am now living in Ruston, Louisiana.
I am married and have four daughters and six grandchildren. My girls all live
in Ohio which is where I am originally from.
Again I want to thank you for your web page and I hope to hear from you and
hopefully many of the guys that were on Eniwetok when I was.
Sincerely,
Pete Gettys
March 16, 1999
Email: PGETTYS@aol.com
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