Operation Greenhouse
US Atomic Veterans
Earl Palmer
From: "Earl Palmer" rrplace4@round-rock.tx.us
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Thanks fellows
Date: Sun, 29 Apr 2001
This past week the local paper ran a story about me being at Operation
Greenhouse. I thought the story was great. The reporter got a couple of
items wrong, but what reporter gets every thing right? I certainly did not
use binoculars to watch the blast and we were not in the hanger and of
course I was in the Air Force.
Thanks to you fellows for bringing the anniversary to my attention. I have
been able to understand more about the Operation than ever and through this
newspaper item more people will understand it better.
Earl Palmer
Councilman Place 4
Round Rock, Texas 78664
Home (512) 244-7445
City Office (512) 218-5401
Fax (512) 218-7097
rrplace4@round-rock.tx.us
From: "Earl Palmer" rrplace4@round-rock.tx.us
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: 50 Years ago at Enewetak
Date: Sun, 8 Apr 2001
Keith,
Chuck Willey suggested I drop you a note concerning Operation Greenhouse.
When I read his story I told my wife that I could have written that same
story. While waiting for our equipment to come in, I worked for two days
building forms for tent slabs where he worked only one. Sgt. Johnny Grimes
the Operations NCOIC, had been my boss back at Luke Field a couple of years
earlier, transferred me to the radio maintenance shop. The shop and the
3.4.3. Headquarters were in an old Quonset hut on the back side of the
runway.
My memory of the first blast was their waking us up in the middle of night
and marching us to the hanger end of the field. We were briefed on how and
where to sit, seated, back to the blast area, with head between our legs and
hands locked behind our heads. It was quite a show as they were putting the
planes in the air. It was really eerie as the B-17 drones took off, a
control plane on each side and then turning it over to the mother ship. The
F-80 drone experiment wasn't as successful, some would barely lift off and
would take a dive into the ocean.
I recall vividly, seeing an X-ray view of my hands through the back of my
head when the blast occurred.
I often think of going to one of the outdoor theaters and sitting on stone
steps, draped with a poncho, wearing a pith helmet in the rain, watching a
movie. ---- and---- only two vehicles on the island, a weapons carrier and
staff car left over from other activities on the island.---and--- The NCO
club where I acquired the taste for rum and coke.----and---- the equipment,
vehicles, planes, steel runway matting all bulldozed off the ocean side.
The last shot was probably the most memorable. I was working at the
transmitter site and had a pair of glasses to view the shot. I crossed the
road and sat on the beach listening to the countdown. There was the blast, I
could see the shock wave come and when I couldn't see it any more I thought
it was over and started to stand up. About half way up I was flattened by
the shock wave. The transmitter building rattled, and vacuum tubes fell from
the stock shelves leaving me with a mess to clean up and to face the
question about not being ready for it.
Days latter, I was with my family at Wheeler Field to serve out the
remaining 7 months of my tour.
I retired in '66 after 21 years as a M/Sgt. Two
years ago I celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Air Lift and this year the 50th of Project Greenhouse.
Thanks
Earl Palmer
Round Rock, Texas
rrplace4@round-rock.tx.us
--Keith Whittle
April 8, 2001
Operation Greenhouse