Operation Redwing 1956
Operation Plumbbob 1957 and Hardtack 1958.
US Atomic Veterans
Bob Rhodes
|
August 19, 2000--Robert M. Rhodes Jr. an Atomic Veteran of Operation Redwing 1956, Operation Plumbbob 1957 and Operation Hardtack 1958 has passed away.
From: Nukevet@aol.com
Date: Sat, 19 Aug 2000
Subject: One less Veteran
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Dear Keith, This is to inform you that Sp4 Robert M. Rhodes Jr.
Passed away on Aug. 18, 2000. Bob or Dusty as we used to call him was a dear
friend that I had not heard from for 42 years. Your web page put us back in
touch. Just last weekend (Aug. 12) we finally got back together, along with
Jim Burlingame, who I also located through your page. One week later he is
gone. Thank God we had the opportunity to meet once again. For this
opportunity, I sincerely thank you for your efforts.
"You can't make old friends, you can only lose them. And in losing them, you
lose part of yourself."
September Readers Digest
We, who participated in the "tests", I believe, and so did Dusty, have a
special bond.
We Are All...."Old Friends" whether we knew each other or not.
Fred Greaves
For all of us who have witnessed and shared our stories in this history, we offer our most sincere condolences to Bob's family.
Keith Whittle |
Date: Mon, 04 Jan 1999
From:Pappap@shol.com
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Information
I am interested in all information concerning atomic tests from 1956 to
1958. I am very interested in my outfit and their possible health
problems. Any information about the First Radiological Safety Support
Unit out of Fort McClellan, Alabama would be appreciated. I have been
trying to get in touch with as many as possible and have located a few.
I am a biologist and am interested in the low dose exposure effects.
Thank you.
Sp4 Robert M. Rhodes Jr.
The 1st RSSU supported the AEC on the tests. We were the radiation
monitors, the dosimetry specialists, repaired the radiac instruments and did
the decontamination of personnel and vehicles. We were stationed at Ft.
McClellan, Alabama, when we weren't on operations.
I was in the Pacific for
the last half of Redwing. Spent all of my time on Elmer. As a kid of 19 and
just out of high school, I was not afraid of anything. (not too smart).
When my
outfit was not on operations were did everything at McClellan, drive truck,
kp, and work at the Chemical Corps school doing all kinds of things. I worked
for the Health Physics Department. We built a radiological training range,
encapsulated the cobalt 90 for the range, cut down the trees to make the
range. We did just about everything to make the range. Then it was off to NTS,
and Operation Plumbbob.
Then back to Alabama to work on the range. Then to the
Pacific and Operation Hardtack. After that college and here I am. I really
don't know what you want in the way of info. I'd be glad to answer any
questions. Bob Rhodes or as my students called me BioBob
Bob Rhodes
Pappap@shol.com
Keith Whittle
January 11, 1999
Operation Redwing
Operation Plumbbob
Operation Hardtack