Operation Teapot
US Atomic Veterans
Richard J.
Kraske
From: Lakecitydick@aol.com
Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2000
Subject: Atomic Veteran - USMC - Desert Rock - Shot Bee - 1955
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Prior to being sent from Camp Horno, Camp Pendleton our unit was told that we
were in an "ABC" outfit. Atomic-Biological-Chemical Warfare unit. Really
sounded impressive to a 19 year old kid from Billings, Montana. Camp Horno's
units were involved in the development of vertical envelopment tactics that
was later used in Viet Nam. Everything we did was done with helicopters
(Sirkorsky H-19's).
When we arrived at Camp Desert Rock we were told we were
"guests" of the Army and were assigned to Field tents with one stove apiece.
We literally froze at night however the chow was the best we could remember.
On the morning before we were transported to the site or the evening before. I
have read that we were given Thorazine to "calm" us down. I don't
specifically remember if we were or not.
We arrived at the site Bee at about
0400 and were taken to deep trenches about 6' deep. We were told to get into
the trenches, kneel down and bury our heads in the crooks of our elbows and
keep our eyes closed. They began the countdown on loudspeakers to zero and
after a brief monment of utter silence the brightest light I've ever seen
flashed overhead. I still think I could see it with closed eyes covered by my
arm. After that a wind came over the top of the trenches that sounded strong
enough to take your head off if you looked over the top of the trench. After
another brief moment we were told it was "all clear" and to stand up facing
ground zero. We were 1.99 miles from ground zero.
The sun had just started to
rise, shining thru the atomic mushroom cloud, gave off a very impressive
purple color. (Sure hope the Thorazine didn't cause that). To be more
specific, the color could be described as having a "heliotrope"
cast.
Immediately after we were loaded into H-19's and flown into a
closer proximity to ground zero to assault an "objective". After the exercise
was over, we "toured" the site on foot at ground zero noting where the 500'
tower had been. Manikens covered with white sheets in foxholes suffered very
little damage.
As we were leaving groud zero we were scanned with gieger
counters for exposure counts. One Marine we were told sent the needle on the
counter off the dial when they passed it over his field jacket pocket. They
ripped the jacket off, tipped it upside down until a small ball fell out.
Apparently it was either part of the tower that had vaporized of some molten
material from the ground. We were told that it would have "burned" a hole
thru him if he would have kept it any longer. He was taking it home as a
souvenier according to our handlers.
We were taken back to Desert Rock, told
to sweep each other off and shower. As we left Desert Rock on buses our
"guests" played "California Here I Come' with the base band. I can't remember
if we were ever sworn to secrecy about our experience. I was assigned to a
75mm Pack Howitzer Battery in Marine Corp Test Unit 1. We also had 81mm and
4.2 mortars. So far that I know, I haven't had any medical problems related to
radiation exposure but then I'm a "young" 64 years old, so time will tell.
Thanks for your attention and a chance to sound off.
Richard J.
Kraske
Seattle, Wa
USMC-1510458 (1955)
Email: Lakecitydick@aol.com
Operation Teapot
Keith Whittle
December 2, 2000