From: JefeMendoza@aol.com
Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2000
Subject: Teapot
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
I served in the US Army 1953 - 1955. I was sent TDY from Fort Lewis to Camp
Desert Rock about the end of 1954 to May 1955 . I was discharged June 1955. I
got in contact with some other people that served there.
My duty in the 95th Engineer Battalion, Headquarters and Service
Company, during the periods of about October 54 and May 55 were, a Wheel Vehicle
Mechanic and of course all my duties as a solider.
I don't recall the names of the operations. All testing was mostly done early
moring. We were all trucked out to the test site and into the trenches, we got
instructions thru the PA system. One hour after the blast we were taken back to
gound zero to look at the blast results. We were mostly out in the field to test
our vehicles. At one time we were rounding up cattle that had gotten into
the test zone.
Two soldier's in our outfit picked up radiation, they were sent
to the hospital. I don' t seem to remember much at this time, it's been over 45
years. But in time it will come back. I don't want to make this too long but
maybe next time I'll think of something more. You know I have experienced some
health effects. I don't know if there is any relation to being there.
Thanks for your answer. Hope to hear from you soon.
Jefe Mendoza
Email: JefeMendoza@aol.com
Operation Teapot
Keith Whittle
March 20, 2000