Operation Ivy
US Atomic Veterans
Robert W. Larson
Robert W. Larson sent email about his duty at Operation Ivy.
From: bdlars@brainerd.net
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Date: Mon, 8 May 2000
Subject: Operation Ivy veteran
My name is Robert W. Larson,
I served in the U.S. Army, Operation Ivy, stationed on the island of Eniwetok , and also
on the USS Estes during the actual bomb blasts.
I was told we were thirty two miles from the blast site of Mike and eight
miles away from the other bomb blast.
We stood with our faces covered and facing the ship wall when Mike was
detonated and the heat I felt on the back of my neck as we stood facing
away from the blast, was just short of scorching. The wall of water
comming across the sea from the shock wave was something to behold.
Needless to say, it cleaned out the external air ducts on the ship with a
roar.
My unit, the 8607th Communications Security Detachment, was responsible for
monitoring all the radio traffic in and out of the area, to help insure
tight security. We did this from the island of Eniwetok prior to and
following the two shots. Durring the shots we were on the USS Estes and
worked out of the ships radio center. Our unit was one of the last to leave the
island for the mainland that year.
Thanks again for the information.
Robert W. Larson
Motley MN.
Email: bdlars@brainerd.net
Keith Whittle
May 10, 2000
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