Eniwetok Clean-up
1978
U.S. Atomic Veterans
Sam Marler
Sam Marler sent email about his duty at Eniwetok.
Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2006
From: sammielee@adelphia.net
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Enewetak cleanup project
I was stationed at Hq. Co. 84th. Eng. Bn., at Schoefield Barracks from 1976 to 1980.
One day in formation we were told that we had been chosen by the Department of Interior to clean up the islands of Enewetak Atoll of nuclear debris left over from the earlier missile tests. We were told this was so the islanders could move back to their islands.
I was an E5 and went by the name of Singing Sam. I was in the USO show that came to Lojwa. I also had my band called Singing Sam and the Super Studs play at the world famous Sandcastle.
I was there in 1978. The food was great when I was there. I also called Bingo at the Sandcastle. The rats were really a problam there. We killed 26 one night in our hooch. They would climb up your blanket and you would have to kick them off your bed.
I went to almost all the islands. I traveled a lot on the Lark. It looked just like a frog when it was out in the ocean. One day on a Lark, it rained so hard we lost our communications and our radar and we were coming back to Lojwa. Lojwa knew we were lost because we were very late and they hadn' t heard from us. All vehicles were put on the beach to direct us home.
On all the islands I visited I saw very few trees. It was so hot there. Over all I liked it somewhat. The worst sunburn I ever got was there, in 30 minutes. I know I will never forget it. The Hotel California and Gilligan's Island. No wonder the Department of Interior didn' t want the job. I usually went at least 3 days a week to Runit.
Anyone who was there the same time as me, or if you werent and still want to talk. I' ll answer all fellow Lojwa rats.
Singing Sam Marler
sammielee@adelphia.net
Keith Whittle
January 4, 2006
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