John Pecoraro sent email about his duty at Operation Dominic.
From: John E Pecoraro hd94olyellow@juno.com
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2001
Subject: Princeton, & Operation Dominic
I served aboard the Princeton Apr.1959 - Oct.1962. Was aboard for one Nuke
test, for some reason I had my reservations about going top side to watch
the detonation ( have no idea why) something inside told me no. Instead,
I stood the cold iron watch in boiler room #2, I do remember my shipmates
coming down the ladder, & telling me all about it sounded pretty
impressive,do not recall feeling any after shock.
Within a week or so after there were 8 or so of us that were air lifted
off the ship to Johnston Island, to be flown to T.I. for discharge. We
were on the island for approx. a couple of hours waiting for the plane to
take off, I'll always remember taking off from the flight deck in a
Helicopter. That was almost 40 yrs ago, & in all that time I have had a
few physical things bother me, one being a hoarse voice which will last
for long periods at a time, if I remember right the first time this
happened was in !970. It was in the spring of the year & for no reason my
voice became hoarse to almost a whisper, lasted for about a month, still
have periods of hoarseness. Didn't really think much of it until now,
mostly I guess it has been because I have been more concerned about
asbestosis, which I filed a claim with the VA in Febr. 2001, have lost 20%
of my breathing capacity, I understand their working on my claim.
Have read many of the letters from old shipmates, one being from a
shipmate that tended to some of my medical needs while I was on board
ship. I cannot express enough how sorry, I was to hear about some of the
medical problems, that some of you have developed. Was really glad to
find this web site, keep up the good work & keep it going (THANKS).
BLESS & THANKS AGAIN
John Pecoraro
B Division #2 Boiler Room
hd94olyellow@juno.com
Keith Whittle
August 22, 2001
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