Operation Hardtack
US Atomic Veterans
Ed Ries
Ed Ries sent email about his duty at Operation Hardtack.
From: "Ed Ries" fishned@bigvalley.net
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: CTG 7.3 Boat Pool member
Date: Sat, 20 Oct 2001
Operation HARDTACK
After REDWING the Boat Pool began another long period of preparations for the next deployment. More vessels were added including a YTB tug. We got a new OinC, LCDR Robert Bates, another mustang. Chief Boatswain Shannon replaced Bos’n Ludwig. The photo is the only
one I have of Boat Pool origin. In it, from left to right: Chief Carpenter
Jablonski, Ries, BMCS, LCDR Bates, Chief Boatswain Shannon. |
Photos from Ed Ries.
Click on the pictures for a larger view.
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I embarked in USS CABILDO (LSD 16) on 17 Jan.1958 and arrived at Eniwetok on 5 Feb. The majority of the boat pool was at Bikini. Being now somewhat senior in the Boat Pool I was detailed to semi-independent duty at Eniwetok as boat dispatcher for our detachment there. I was immediately engaged in a myriad of administrative details involving liaison with TG 7.5 (Holmes & Narver) marine superindent for mooring space, security badging, office space and berthing for boat crews, among other things. SOPA was in USS MOCTOBI. Also piloted LCU 666 to pier and assumed control of radio net from aboard and directed movements of LCMs, etc. Most of the personnel present were new to the boat pool and unfamiliar with the area. There were two Boat Pool LCUs, 3 LCMs (45, 47, 48) two 40-foot utility boats and YTB 182 at Eniwetok at the time and all were kept extremely busy working for the various task groups on the atoll. I had many problems when several naval vessels were in the lagoon. We hauled liberty parties for them and had to deal with a lot of drunks and people stranded when their own ship’s boats failed to pick them up.
I shared office space with the H&N boat dispatcher and bunked in a tent with two other CPOs and Putman, CM1. There was a certain advantage to having a carpenter in the tent as he built an insulated cooler in which we kept ice and bottles of gin and vermouth obtained from the civilian club. We also scrounged some martini glasses, a shaker and even had jars of cocktail olives.
In the evening after showering the inmates of our tent would relax with a couple of martinis before a mellow stroll to the civilian mess hall for supper. They fed very well and every Saturday was steak night. You could pick your steak off the grill and on each mess table was a big bowl of garlic butter that was used to drench the hot steaks. |
Photos from Ed Ries.
Click on the pictures for a larger view.
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We had it pretty good compared to the guys that were afloat. However, we worked long hours and had little time for recreation until near the end of the operation. Shell hunting was a universally popular pastime and the prizes were the big killer-clam shells and the helmet shells from which lamp bases were made.
I also spent some time at Bikini as relief skipper in LCUs there. On my fourth operation the test shots generated little interest from me and became mere routine. One incident I recall was when contract workers from Samoa went skin diving in the lagoon to spear a mess of fish. Although all hands were warned never to eat anything from the water or land in the atoll, the Samoans would build a fire on the beach and roast their fish on sticks and eat them, picnic fashion. I saw this a couple of times, but as far as I know, nobody bothered them. I guess if they couldn’t see the radiac they didn’t believe it was there.
On 13 August I arrived in San Diego. Soon after I took the test for the newly established ratings of Senior and Master Chief and was promoted to BMCS on 16 Nov. The OinC was promoted to LCDR and the Boat Pool troops took up a collection and bought him an officer’s sword, which I presented to him on behalf of the men. Bos’n Shannon went to Florida on TAD and was accidetally killed. In September of 1959 I was transferred to the Pineapple Fleet, joining USS O’BANNON (DDE 450) of DesRon 25. In afteryears I met only two shipmates from the Boat Pool and lost all contact with it.
Respectfully,
Ed Ries
Email: fishned@bigvalley.net
Keith Whittle
October 31, 2001
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