Operation Greenhouse US Atomic Veterans William L. Riddle From: SRIDDWIL@aol.com Date: Fri, 1 Jun 2001 Subject: Greenhouse To: pdxavets@aracnet.com Dear Keith, I was aboard the USS Curtiss during the Operation Greenhouse. As the time came for the first test we drew lots to see who could be off duty in the evaporator room and I won. I was not authorized to be on deck but went to the boat deck while it was still dark. There I hid in one of the small boats. As the time drew near for the blast I heard a lot of talk from the people on deck about safety equipment like dark glasses earplugs etc. I got a bit frightened but could not come out of hiding since I was not supposed to be there. So best I could do was crouch down in the boat with eyes closed and hands over my ears with my back to the blast. I remember seeing the flash even though my eyes were tightly closed. Counted to 10 and turned to witness a sight I have never forgotten. Then I scooted back to my duty station below decks. I was below on the second test as well but on the third test I secured permission to be on deck and was issued all the proper gear which I think was limited to some dark glasses and earplugs. I was also below decks for the last test. I have had a healthy life in general and have a healthy family as well though we always joked about our weird offspring they were really quite normal. Sincerely William L. Riddle Manhattan Beach, CA SRIDDWIL@aol.com --Keith Whittle June 11, 2001 Operation Greenhouse [ Home Page || What's New || Email || Family Mail Call || Notes and Hints ] [ Atomic Veterans, Atomic Test Series and Dates ] [ T-Shirts || Videos ] Information about the National Association of Atomic Veterans [ The NAAV Story || NAAV Medical Data Base Information ] Atomic Veterans History Project © 1997-2000 For use of the material found on this web site, please send us an email with your request.