Dennis P Kolb sent email about his duty at Operation Dominic.
From: "kolb family" dpkolb@verizon.net.
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Atomic tests
Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2001
Fellow Atomic Veterans
I joined the Navy November 1, 1961. I went aboard the Princeton, just out of EM 'A' School, on July 4, 1962.
These tests were on my maiden voyage aboard the "Sweet Pea". My first time at sea was the trip to Johnston Island in late September. Of course, I was the butt of many sea sickness cures like the 'watch the tennis ball on the string', and the 'just stand on the fantail and watch the wake' cures. I was doing my tour on the mess decks when we got to Johnston Island.
We arrived as close to Johnston as the coral reefs allowed. Just before the test we picked the "Sand Crabs", as the scientist civilians were called, off the Island and aboard the "Sweet Pea". We headed to our test vantage point, about 60 miles away, or so.
When I had a chance to go topside, on the evening of one of the tests, I was surprised to see a number of Russian ships out there with us.
It was dark, as I remember, when this test was done. First would be the burst, then the shock wave, and finally the ship was turned to accept a possible tidal wave. The burst and the shock wave came and went and the tidal wave did not materialize. However, what I found most impressive was the ability to read a newspaper, in the middle of the night, for two solid hours, as the radiation spread across the sky.
To see the burst through goggles, eyelids, and folded arms ranks right up there with the most amazing sights of my lifetime. I was an electrician striker doing my duty on the mess decks, at the time. The frameable papers we received commemerating the event have always proved impressive.
I often wonder what the results were on those radiation dosimeters we wore, at the time. If the results were cataloged they may give some clues as to the problems some of the fellows had over the years.
During my stint on the mess decks at Johnston I felt ill and finally went to sick bay.
When asked what the problem was, I promptly fell face to the deck, and out like a light. They called it viral influenza. I did not make it out of bed for five days and missed my day on the beach. I spent my 19th birthday, on the 9th of October too sick to check my dosimeter.
I'm 57 and retired for now after over 30 years at the local electrical utility, using only 3 sick days over the years.
I remained aboard the "Sweet Pea" USS Princeton until my discharge on February 15, 1966.
Dennis P Kolb
'E' Division
USS Princeton LPH-5
Marshfield, Wisconsin
dpkolb@verizon.net.
Keith Whittle
April 16, 2001
[ Operation Dominic ]