James H. McCulley
From: Bootsmcc@aol.com
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 1999
Subject: Operations Crossroads
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
My name is James H. McCulley. I was a crew member aboard the USS
Independence in 1946 that was used during the Able and Baker tests.
During the tests I was transfered to the USS Rockwall APA-30. After the 1st test,
the above ground test, it was my job to go back aboard the Independence,
which survived the first blast, and retrieve the carcasses of the dead
animals that were left aboard as test subjects and also to prepare and make
seaworthy the ship for the 2nd test, which was a below water explosion.
During this entire time, I was never issued any type of protective clothing,
breathing apparatus, or radiation badge to indicate my level of exposure.
After the 3rd day aboard the Independence, I was checked with a geiger
counter and found to be contaminated to the point that I was not allowed to
go back aboard the Independence, which had again survived. I was allowed to
work for 3 more days and again checked with a geiger counter and again found
to be contaminated to the point where I was ordered to go back to the
Rockwall where I remained until I was transfered to the USS Ajax for the trip
back to San Francisco. I was then transfered to the USS Bairoko CVE-115 along
with several of my former shipmates from the Independence.
I am interested in contact with anyone who took part in Operations
Crossroads or any other similar tests that might have exposed them to large
amounts of radiation and have experienced severe health problems, as I have.
These problems include a blood disorder, severe bone loss, degenerative
arthritis, tumors, vertigo, and others. I can be contacted at
NeldaFaye@AOL.com or by phone or letter.
James H. McCulley
1905 Melbourne Ave.
Huntsville, AL 35801
256-534-9654
E-Mail Bootsmcc@aol.com
[ Operation Crossroads ]