Bob Hillard sent email about his duty at Operation Castle.
From: "Bob Hillard" rojhillard@msn.com
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Belle Grove LSD #2 Operation Castle
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2004
Dear Keith:
I am Robert Owen J Hillard.
I was a Seaman and a Boat Coxswain in the Navy and I was at Operation Castle, I was aboard the Belle Grove as CTG 7.3 Boat Pool and on 7 March 1954 transfered to CTG 7.2 Boat Pool at Eniwetok Island with 17 other personel.
The radiation readings originally given to me were below what should have been given to me. I am sending Attachment # 1 which was sent to me 6 November 1981, Attachment # 2 was sent to me 9 April 1984 and is a copy of the 4 by 8 index card from Eniwetok CTG 7.2 Boat Pool which the Navy Dept. sent me with the original reading of 0.80 of Dosimetry and the revised sheet, attachment # 3 also sent 9 April 1984 , after getting in touch withe my Senators, Congressmen and Congresswoman they came up with another 1.040 Rems for the CTG 7.3 Boat Pool while aboard the Belle Grove. My total Rem exposure is listed now as 1.840 unless they change it as called to Nevada and they had me call
While stationed on Eniwetok in the 7.2 Boat Pool our uniform of the day was Army Kahki Shorts, Navy Shirt, Navy White Hat, and Socks with Army Boots.
Col. Lahti Army was our CO and I believe Lt. Blanchard Navy was our Exec.Officer.
I remember we were told to keep everthing a secret for at least ten years or so or we would be in a heap of trouble. Then when I was visiting my grandmother in Astoria, Oregon, which happened to be my next duty station on an ARD #26 at Tounge Point, I seen the article in the Collier Magazine dated July 23, 1954 which was my uncles, the story title "THE NAVY vs. THE H-BOMB" surprized me. We in the sevice were not to talk about it but there right on the front page was the story. I was cleared for classified and secret materials as my records show but not top secret.
I remember that we were not allowed to have Cameras and such, so couln't get any pictures of the 7.2 or 7.3 Boat Pool Crews which is a shame.
Whle aboard the Belle Grove at H hour I was on the focsal with darkened eyeglass wear and after H hour could see the brightest daylight I have ever witnessed and the shock wave threw us up next to the Bulkhead of the ship. Over the ships Loudspeakers you could hear the Admiral in charge who was ordering all ships to disperse, as the wind currents had changed and the fallout came upon the ships. I remember having to stand watch over the AVR we picked up after the test which was put in the well deck with radiation high, and I was never told how much or how high of a reading the AVR had.
I have had 5X Bypass Surgery Twice, Feruary 1984 and April 1990. I have hearing loss for too much background noise. My Drs. just diagnosed me with COPD in October 2003 and I am on oxygen 24 hrs. a day. I am hoping for better health but live with what I have for now.
My teeth began chipping and breaking apart and I had to have them removed by an Orthodonist. I had false ones made but the uppers would not stay up as my gag reflection is to strong for them to fit right. On 7 July 1987 I sent teeth to a Dr. Susan Lambert in San Francisco who was working with a Dr. Aldrich with the DOOD Project who "uses a novel method of electron spin resonance to determine the level of exposure to radiation". I have never received an answer about my teeth. I was wondering if any one else has had the same problem? Attachments 4, 5, & 6. were part of the Dodd project which I never got results from.
I Would advise anyone who has problems getting records from the DNA, DOD, or DOE to get in touch with there Congressmen or Senators as I did in getting help, but still I am low on the V. A. list for medical help.
I have lately been getting my prescriptions through the V. A. at $ 7:00 for a 30 day prescription because they are cheaper than my health plan. I have Kaiser Health Care which I have carried since leaving the Navy in 1955.
In 1983 Congress passed a bill which entitled the Atomic Vet. Medical help at the V. A. Hospital if my memory is correct.
I might note that I was a California Veteran as I had enlisted in San Francisco, California on 4 April 1951 and Discarched in Seattle, Washington on 29 March 1955. I now reside in Colorado and have since April of 1973.
I hope that some may get some value from my posting and if you want more info I have different fact sheets that the Navy Dept. has sent to me.
Well I'll close for now and wait to hear from you. I hope this finds you in good health.
Sincerely,
Robert Owen J Hillard
Colorado
Email: rojhillard@msn.com
Keith Whittle
April 7, 2004
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