Operation Crossroads
US Atomic Veterans
Norman Hardy
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2000
From: norman hardy taxspec@home.com
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Bikini A Bomb Test
I was aboard the USS Fall River CA 131 for both the air drop and the
under water shot in July 1946. I was a radioman at the time and was on
duty for the air drop, but was able to see the entire underwater blast
and the memory is still vivid in my mind.
Later, I along with about 75 other men were selected to make up a crew
for the USS Conyngham DD 371, a target ship for both blasts, but still
seaworthy. We steamed her back to Mare Island, Ca and decommissioned
her. I remember the civilian workers looking at us like we might set
off sparks or something. We tied up on a finger pier, out and away from
anything else. I believe that the Navy knew we were hot, but played it
down and assigned us on to other duties.
Norman Hardy
Norman Hardy
taxspec@home.com
--Keith Whittle
January 30, 2000
Operation Crossroads