Operation Castle
US Atomic Veterans
Donald Lee Lundine
Don Lundine sent email about his duty at Operation Castle.
From: "lundine" wendy@pcnuthut.com
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: atomic burn victum
Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2001
During Operation Castle ( 1954 ) I was a Quarter master 3rd class on board the USS Bairoko.
On the morning after the test Bravo, I had gone topside above the signal bridge to catch up on some sleep. When I awoke, there was a fine white powder falling on me. Our ships wash down system was on. I thought it was a drill. I did not know we were in the fall out. Quarter Master Royal came up and told me to hurry down and get inside.
I was stripped of my clothes and placed in the captains shower. After the monitor decided I was safe, I was sent below. I discovered small burns on my belt line. After I was sent to sick bay aboard ship, they wanted to cut the beta burns off of me and I said no thank you. Later I was sent to the naval hospital in SanDiego for tests. I was told that my body was radiating approx. that of a dial on a wrist watch. I was then released to return to duty.
My health has been good so far with the exception of prostate problems, which
I believe is normal with age. I was sent to the Naval Hospital in San Diego and tested. I was then released to assume normal duties.
Thanks
Donald Lee Lundine
Email: wendy@pcnuthut.com
[ Operation Castle ]