John N. Lehr sent email about his duty at Castle.
From: "John Lehr" jlehr@cox.net
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Bikini tests in 1954.
Date: Tue, 30 Oct 2001
I was serving on the USS Navasota AO-106 in 1952 until my release from
active duty on January 19, 1956. Exact date of beginning service aboard the
Navasota is unknown to me at this date.
My date of service began Feb. 7,
1952 when I was sworn in at Oklahoma City and sent to SanDiego for Boot Camp
Training. I had signed up for service prior to reaching my seventeenth
birth date. I obtained signed permission from my mother and waited to be
called after my birth date.
Upon completion of Boot Camp, I received a two
week leave before being sent to Japan. My Shipping orders were out of San
Francisco aboard the USS General W.A. Mann. Upon reaching Japan I was sent
to Sasebo where I was stationed aboard an Old Troop Ship which had been
captured by the Japanese during the war and being used by the Navy to billet
personal until they could be place aboard their assigned ships. I was
aboard this ship (Name Unknown to Me at this date) when the Japanese were
returned to governmental power, thus receiving the Japan Occupation Ribbon.
I was sent out to the Line by a ship (Name Unknown to me at this time) and
put aboard the USS Navasota AO-106. During the time I was aboard the
Navasota we were involved in at least one Atomic test. I recall having a
dose monitor being issued to me and having it gathered up at the end of the
testing. We washed the ship down several times. I noticed later that I
could hold pressure on my leg bones and they would indent (soft bones) and
now suffer from burning sensations in my lower body almost every night. I
fell and bruised my knees during a fall and having one swell so badly I had
to have my pants leg cut open. I was sent to Balboa Hospital for treatment.
I believe my exposure has contributed greatly to my present health problems.
I have been told that I am extremely lucky, I am now sixty six years of age
and have not been able to locate many of my old shipmates who are still
living.
I would like to hear from any of my shipmates aboard the USS Navasota A0106
from 1952 - 1956.
If you have any information about exposure of persons aboard the USS
Navasota AO-106 during this time frame or were a shipmate, please contact
me.
Thanks.
John Noah Lehr
Email:jlehr@cox.net
Keith Whittle
October 31, 2001.
[ Operation Castle ]