From: TJMAT1954@aol.com
Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999
Subject: Operation Crossroads and my father
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Carl Oscar (Bud) Matison
CEM, USS Salt Lake City CA 25
1941 - 1946
Retired USN 1957
I would like to submit this letter I wrote, more out of frustration and
grief, regarding my dad's fight to get the VA to recognize his cancer as
being service connected. He suffered from severe arthritis, bursitis in the
neck, shoulders, knees and hands. He had a patch of skin cancer removed in
the late 1970s and subsequently died from prostate cancer in November 1998.
He was a member of this fine organization and eagerly read each bit of news
regarding veterans and the radiation exposure issue. I don't know if this is
something that can be used but I feel that dad's specific issue must be
recorded, and not just in the files of the government.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE
Nearly a year has past now since I stood in a covered enclave, with the rain
and wind blowing about me, as the final words were spoken at my dads funeral.
It was a gut wrenching experience as the Naval Honor Guard fired their salute
and the distant sounds of Taps was heard, played at another ceremony nearby
(Mom didn't want it played at dads), but the timing couldn't have been
better. Placed next to the 'cigar box' which contained his ashes was a photo
of dad in his uniform, in black and white, with his hat cocked back on his
head which was how they wore them in the 40s and 50s. No name tag, no medals,
just a cocky and proud CEM who didn't wear his ego on his chest. Dad was 81
when he died. A cancer took him, a cancer which I believe came as a result of
his participation in the nuclear tests after W.W.II, but of course, the
government denies this.
Dad had prostate cancer, a cancer that the VA states is not figured into the
covered illnesses. He also however had skin cancer removed from his groin,
and later cancer throughout his back; hot spots in his neck, shoulders and
spine. Though in pain, he complained little. His greatest pain was not the
illness, but from what he felt was the betrayal of the service he gave so
much for.
Dad was on the USS Salt Lake City, CA 25 throughout the war. In the end, the
ship was selected for the nuclear tests at Bikini in 1946 (Operation
Crossroads). Dad was there (Onsite Participant). After the detonation tests,
he and a crew went back aboard ship and stayed, taking readings and
attempting to "scrub down" the ship. His mission was to start the generators
for power. He was first to arrive and the last to leave. He sometimes wore
film badges to determine radiation levels. After "Able and Baker"
detonations, it was determined that it was "too hot" to stay on board so they
left. The ship was later towed to California and was sunk during target
practice.
He often talked about his 20 years in the Navy, including being on board the
ship after the nuclear tests. It wasn't till many years later that he
requested a copy of his service records after being treated for skin cancer.
What he found, to his astonishment, was that his participation in the tests
were no where to be found. In place during this time period was a notation
signed by the Executive Officer that he attended a "fire fighting school" in
Hawaii. He was then faced with, 'If it wasn't in the record, it didn't
happen.'
This started a crusade to correct the omission, subsequently learning about
and joining the Atomic Veterans Association. It was through this organization
he met other veterans who were exposed to radiation but were denied
assistance because it was not proven their health problems were the result of
their radiation exposure. Through his association with the NAAV (National
Association of Atomic Veterans) he did finally receive recognition that he
had been there. Research done by the Nuclear section of the Naval Department
and the Defense Nuclear Agency confirmed this. They had skimpy records at
best regarding total REMs exposed to the sailors, but it was something. He
filed a claim concerning skin cancer and waited while the wheels of
government turned.
As the years went by his health deteriorated. Severe arthritis in his neck,
shoulders, knees and hands (which cropped up in 1957 when he retired) were
his daily companions. His ability to receive the medical care which was
promised to him back in 1937 was reduced, forcing him to pay more and more to
receive civilian care. He was then treated for prostate cancer. Claims were
submitted to the VA and other government organizations but always returned
with delays, 'that your claim is currently being researched.' You see, if you
wait long enough it won't matter, as they will all be dead. That is what
happened to my dad.
My brothers and I are grateful to the Navy, that we were able to receive the
benefits when we were young. But the benefits which were promised to my dad
evaporated and he became a non priority in his later years, denied the proper
care he was entitled to and victim of the denial/ommision of his official
involvement in the Bikini tests and for coverage of service connected illness
due to the limited records kept and research done to date.
Those who wrote the entries of the service records are no doubt dead,
following the guidance of their superiors, under the guise of national
security I assume. I don't blame them for the testing that was done. Their
knowledge of radiation was limited at the time and they had no way of knowing
the long term effects of exposure. But to ignore the health complaints of
veterans who willingly did their duty and to hide behind dated research or
biased medical opinions is wrong. It's financial, as I assume it will open up
Pandora's Box and all sorts of claims would be made if the standards were
relaxed. I find it interesting that the cancers allowed by the VA is in
inverse proportion to the amount of specific cancers found by the NAAV in
their limited Morbidity Study. Veterans are dying at a record rate now and
very soon now it really won't matter, because if you wait long enough...
Thomas Matison
E-Mail TJMAT1954@aol.com
[ Operation Crossroads ]