Operation Plumbbob 1957 US Atomic Veterans Joel Healy Joel Healy sent email about his duty at Operation Plumbbob. From: "Joel Healy" twdsparky@msn.com To: pdxavets@aracnet.com Subject: Company C 84th Engr. Batt. at Camp Desert Rock, NV, Jan-Sept 1957 Operation Plumbbob Hello, My Name is Joel V Healy, I was at Camp Desert Rock, NV for the test series involving Operation Plumbbob. We went TDY from Ft. Ord, Calif to the test site. I am currently having multiple medical problems and continue to fight with the VA for Compensation and Pension (C & P). My claim is almost two years old and all they (the VA) do is ask for more documentation, etc. I have come to the conclusion that they hope I will expire before my claim does. Joel (E-4) 34th Combat Engr Group - 84th Engr Batt. Co. "C". 1956-1959 From: "Joel Healy" twdsparky@msn.com To:"Keith" pdxavets@aracnet.com Subject: Veterans Administration Here is a story that might interest you. In February 2006, I filed a claim with the Veterans Administration for health problems I am suffering with and I believe are related to my exposure to excessive radiation while in the military. In the Spring/Summer of 1957, my unit (Army) was assigned to the Nuclear Test Site (NTS) in Nevada, where the government was conducting their (at that time) above ground test of nuclear weapons. The series of tests was called "Operation Plumbbob" and during that period it involved the tests of approximately twenty-five nuclear bombs. For further information on those tests, web search Operation Plumbbob and it will reveal the now declassified photo/reports on those tests. Under the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), I obtained my radiation badge records from the government and they confirmed that I had been exposed to an excessive amount of radiation i.e., overdose. Many of the veterans (known unofficially as "Atomic Vets") who participated in those tests subsequently came down with medical problems associated with excessive radiation. So much so, that the Veterans Administration established a special program known as the Ionizing Radiation Study and encouraged veterans who were involved in those tests to participate, which I did. Based upon medical problems which I have (eight in all), I filed a claim with the Veterans Administration, and after almost fifteen months, they sent me a letter rejecting my claim. I find their response to my claim some what ironic, as it comes almost three to four weeks after I wrote my Congressional Representative, the Hon. John Linder requesting his assistance in getting the V.A. to respond to my claim. I had been warned by other Vets, that if I filed a complaint against the V.A. they (the V.A.) would retaliate against me. In the words of one Vet, "the V.A. takes a dim view of anyone filing complaints". In the words of another Vet "Healy, you will suffer a demise before your claim does". At the time, I thought they were wrong, however, it turns out that they were right. The V.A. in their letter of rejection pointed out that I had the right to appeal their decision and I intend to do so. What I find particularly appalling, is that enclosed with their letter were two highly sensitive and confidential V.A. documents concerning TWO OTHER VETERANS. The information in those documents revealed the veterans Social Security number, date of birth, V.A. file numbers, home address, spouses name, etc. Given the Veterans Administrations track record of losing computer records and documents to theft and carelessness, one would like to think that they would exercise greater diligence in safeguarding veterans records containing such sensitive data. However, that does not appear to be the case. The Veterans Administration office at Jackson, Mississippi (where my claim was processed) and its minions, seem to take an indifferent and cavalier attitude in their responsibility (or lack thereof) of guarding sensitive and confidential documents. I believe that the two veterans in question and their respective families would share in my opinion. End of story. Joel V Healy 404 435-8698 Stone Mountain, GA From: "Joel Healy" twdsparky@msn.com To: "Keith" Subject: V.A. Info & Personal History RE: Operation Plumbbob Hi Keith, Well, I got a call from the V.A. regarding my appeal and the lady there told me that she would be mailing me the "Form 9" to complete, which would start the appeal proces. She said that the appeals are handled inWashington, D.C. and can take quite awhile (surprise, surprise). I told her about the Claims Office in Jackson, Missisippi sending me the records of the other two Vets. She said that she had heard about it and that it created a major upheaval at all levels. However, I have not heard anything from the V.A. about it. I did hear from one of the Vets and he thanked me for bringing it to his attention. Anyway, the V.A. lady said she would mail the Form 9 right away, that was two weeks ago. You have my approval to use any of the photo's I sent you. Here is what I remember about Operation Plumbbob and Camp Desert Rock. Joel V Healy January 1957 - September 1957 U.S. Army 84th Engineering Battalion (Const.) 34th Combat Engineers Nevada Nuclear Test Site - Camp Desert Rock My unit was sent TDY from Fort Ord, California to Camp Desert Rock, Nevada. The purpose for the assignment was to activate the Camp for the expected troops who would be arriving later that Spring/Summer to participate in the above ground tests of nuclear weapons. Also, to provided logistical support to the civilian engineers who were working at the various test sites i.e., Yucca Flats and Frenchmens Flats. I was assigned as a truck driver and transported construction material from the different depots at the Camp. Once the testing started (May 57'), approximately once a month, I would be sent to Fort Irwin, California to pick up "special materials". Upon my units arrival at Camp Desert Rock, all personnel were issued photo I.D.'s by the A.E.C. (Atomic Energy Commission) and the card indicated we had been granted "Secret" clearances. That I.D. card and the radiation badge we were issued were required wearing whenever we entered the Test Site. My personal observation of Camp Desert Rock was that it was cold, sandy and dirty In terms of the weather, we found the winter to be quite cold, the spring to be quite beautiful and the summer hot, hot, hot. Initially, we were the only troops at Camp Desert Rock (from January - April), but as the start up of the tests got closer, more troops arrived. One unit in particular was an Military Police detachment. We viewed their arrival with some humor, as there wasn't very much work for them to do in the desert. The first test shot took place in May and continued into September. There were approximately 30 tests, some relatively small, but some quite large i.e., 40+ KT. Some of the weapons were placed in towers, balloons or dropped from aircraft. My unit constructed "special" observation bleachers for VIP's (politicians, Flag rank officers and visiting NATO personnel). After delivering material to one test site, myself and another driver took a ride in the elevator to the top of a 400 foot tower where the nuclear device was being assembled. The engineer in charge was quite nice and explained how the weapon functioned and how powerful it would be. It looked like a bomb, but minus the fins (which it did not need anyway). This was an exciting time for a young 18 year old soldier who had the opportunity to see some pretty big nuclear tests. Also, as part of our duties, we returned to the test site for clean up duty. The results of the explosions were very impressive, in fact, some of the animals (pigs) and various types of buildings used in the test, simply vaporized or were gone. Of course, those were right at Ground Zero. During a test, one of our guys claimed that when the bomb went off, he could see the bones in his hands. Later on, the same thing happened to other troops. Off duty time was spent at the Camp Desert Rock beer hall. Come payday, most personnel headed for Las Vegas, which was about ninety miles away. Another source of entertainment were the (legal) whore houses in Beatty, Nevada. Beatty was about fifty miles north of the test site. There was another "cat house" closer to the Camp, but by some type of understanding, the officers had exclusive use of the facility. There were a number of Canadian troops assigned to the tests and in talking to them, we were surprised to hear that they received a base pay and a specialty pay for their particular skill. Something unheard of in our military. Our quarters consisted of platoon size buildings that were supported off the ground by cinder blocks, they were not air-conditioned, but then again, very few buildings in the Camp were. Overall, it was quite an adventure for me and the highlight of my time in the Army. The only downside to the experience is the medical problems (eight of them) I am now dealing with and the V.A. rejecting my claim for Compensation and Pension. I do have V.A. coverage, but have to make co-pays for visits, etc. On a more positive note, the U.S. Department Of Justice approved my claim under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act and awarded me $75000.00. The maximum allowable under the Act. In closing, I would like to say that while stationed at Camp Desert Rock, I worked with some really great guys and one officer. Joel V Healy 404 435-8698 Stone Mountain, GA twdsparky@msn.com Email: twdsparky@msn.com Keith Whittle September 17, 2007 [ Operation Plumbbob ] [ 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 © 1997-2007 For use of the material found on this web site, please send us an email with your request.