Denny Laughead sent email about his duty at Castle.
From: Fshrman525@aol.com
Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2000
Subject: Radiation Exposure.
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Dear Sir,
I am a navy veteran who served aboard the USS BELLE GROVE
LSD2 during the Operation Castle {hydrogen Bomb testing } during the summer of
1954 in the south Pacific.
My duty on the USS BELLE GROVE was a MM2 in the port engine room. If a crew member was not on watch, he was requested to muster in on the forward deck to view the test,{hydrogen bomb}.We were told to face away from the blast scene until we
heard the blast, and then we could turn and view the after blast. It was a beautifull sight. We were not furnished any type of protection, nor told that we may need it. It was said that we were seven miles from ground zero.
We were not told to change clothes or to try to wash off any anything. The next
day some of us who were not on watch were sent over to salvage some small
boats that was close to ground zero. Again we were not told of any danger
from the radiation, but were so called, "decontaminated," by a wash down on the
top deck, clothes and all. None of us were displaying badges to reveal the
radiation, to my knowledge, only the officers were issued badges. I know of
no one who was sent out of the test site because of over the limit radiation.
Two days before the test, some of us went to the target ships to get them
ready to get underway on the morning of the tests. We checked out the target
ships, I believe there were seven, and on one, there was a freezer full of
frozen beef. This may have disappeared before the tests.
I need any information that would help support my claim for a disability pension. I served from Feb 1951 thru Feb 12,1955. I have had severe Psoriatic Arthritis for the last 20
years. On Nov 5, 1997, I took a complete physical at the V.A. This was for Veterans who had been exposed to radiation.This information was sent to a data bank in Texas for exposed veterans.
The 2001 Belle Grove LSD 2 Reunion will be held at the Holiday Inn Convention Center, July 8-15, 2001.
Central I-80
3321 South 72nd street,
Omaha, Nebraska
Hotel telephone # 402-393-3950.
See you all,Denny
Thank you,
Denny Laughead
525 Lakeshore Drive, South,
Goreville, Illinois 62939
Email: Fshrman525@aol.com
Keith Whittle
January 9, 2000
February 28, 2001
[ Operation Castle ]