Nagasaki 1945 U.S. Atomic Veterans Frederick Laser From: "fred Laser" fredlaser@hotmail.com To: pdxavets@aracnet.com Subject: Atomic Veteran Date: Mon, 15 May 2000 I was at Nagasaki, September 23, l945 on Uss Lanier APA 125, delivering occupation troups. We were there several days during that time I walked all over Nagasaki. I joined the Navy on my 17th birthday and spent almost a year at Lakehurst Naval Airstation. Being "gung-ho" to help get the war over I volunteered for the amphibious corps. I took my training at Coronado, California. Then I spent the rest of my active duty on the Lanier (14 months). I saw action at Okinawa, Iwo Jima, and laid smoke screens protecting the Battleship Iowa. We also rode out the typhoon off Okinawa. I remember picking up the 2nd Marine Division on Guam. We arrived in Nagasaki on Sept. 23rd. Coming into the harbor I saw a body floating. After unloading troups from our LCVP I walked into town at groung zero. I was amazed at the devastation and wondered how anyone could have survived. At the time I thought the Japanese got exactly what they deserved, but I have since mellowed in my old age and wouldn't have wished that horror on anyone. I will be 74 in November, I was only a "kid" of 19 in 1945. For two years I have been trying unsuccessfully to get recognition from the V.A. as an atomic veteran to receive health care. My classification is #3 (I must co-pay my visits). I have a letter from the Nuclear Defense saying I should be classified the same as a Prisoner of War, which receives free medical care from the V.A. If you need more information, please get back to me. Any help you can give me with this problem, or guidance would be greatly appreciated. I do not have a computer but go to the local library at least once a week to check my e-mail. I have a year book type photo account, taken by one of our shipmates, documenting our entire tour of duty on the USS Lanier APA 125. Atomic Veteran Fred Laser's Photo Album Nagasaki, 1945 All photos courtesy Fred Laser and daughter Mrs. Mary Matthews. Frederick Laser Princess Anne, MD Email: fredlaser@hotmail.com Keith Whittle May 21, 2000 Update February 23rd, 2001. Nagasaki [ Home Page || What's New || Email || Family Mail Call || Notes and Hints ] [ Atomic Veterans, Atomic Test Series and Dates ] [ T-Shirts || Videos ] Information about the National Association of Atomic Veterans [ The NAAV Story || NAAV Medical Data Base Information ] Atomic Veterans History Project © 1997-2000 For use of the material found on this web site, please send us an email with your request.