Operation Redwing
US Atomic Veterans
Norman Kroll
Norman Kroll sent email about his duty at Operation Redwing.
Date: Thu, 4 Aug 2005
From: JEFF KROLL jshkroll@sbcglobal.net
Subject: passing of atomic soldier
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Keith,
My Father Norman Kroll was an atomic soldier in 1956 on board the USS Walton. I just now discovered he wrote to you and posted his message in 2001. Norman was diagnosed with cancer, for the second time in his life, in September 2003. He was diagnosed the first time in 1964, just 8 years removed from the testing.
My father lost his latest battle with cancer in January of this year. (2005). However, before he died he requested compensation from the D.O.J. and the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. His request was denied repeatedly. But his persistence paid off. His claim was approved on January 18, 2005,... he died that morning.
He was a true american.
Fight for what you believe is right.
God rest his soul.
Jeff Krolll
Email:jshkroll@sbcglobal.net
Keith Whittle
August 7, 2005
From: NEKSTKN@aol.com
Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2001
Subject: Re: Operation Redwing
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Hi Keith,
I was on board the USS Walton DE361 during some of Operation Redwing. I was
there for about 7 of the blasts.
I was an Electronic Tech. in Operations Divison, Lt Peterson was Operations
Officer. I remember Bradley was an ET2, Olson was a Yeoman, Smith and
Sneeringer were radarman. T. Johnson was a radioman. Charles Burha was a
chief boats (he lives near me and I see him once in awhile. I stood Quarter
deck watches in port and radar watches underway.
Our ship had biologists on board, to test
the radiation in fish, etc. In addition to dragging nets, they rigged the
movie screen (spotlight on it) on the quarter deck at night, so the flying
fish would fly into it. The biologists would collect the fish in the morning
and test them.
During our travels around Enewetak Atoll, we hit a hot spot of radioactivity.
All hands went below decks and they activated a water screen or wash down system until we were out of the area.
During the blasts we were on deck at attention, facing away from the bomb
area. One detonation didn't occur, so the Captain finally released us, and as we
were looking in the direction of where it should go boom, it did!
I was 22 years old in 1956, when I was 29 I had Testicular Cancer (I now list
to Port) surgery and radiation must have got it all, "cuz" I'm still around.
I would like to hear from some of my shipmates, especially if they have Testicular
Cancer, because the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act says I'm not eligable
for compensation. I quess they are right, I'd already had all my children.
Keith, thanks again for the info. I worked for IBM for 33 years on mid size systems, but never got close to a PC.
More later as I remember it.
God Bless America
Respectfully,
Norman Kroll
Stockton, CA.
Email: NEKSTKN@aol.com
Keith Whittle
September 15, 2001
[ Operation Redwing ]