Operation Redwing
1956
US Atomic Veterans
Richard Moore
From: "Richard Moore" MOORE-OR-LES@worldnet.att.net
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Too Close
Date: Sat, 30 May 1998
Sirs;
I was aboard the Knudson A.P.D.130 during Operation Redwing. My rate at the time we were at the tests was Boilerman fireman. our mission was that we had a huge wooden crate tied down in the starboard sleeping quarters and got rid of it when we got to
Enewetok. Then we were to steam around during the drops. I remember
being told that during one of the air drops the aircraft was 20 miles off
course (too close to our ship), and we had to use the wash down system.
I do remember that we couldn't go ashore anywhere but we finally were
able to get R&R on the island of Japtan, populated by big iguana lizards and
pack rats. Some of the civilian scientists came to drink with us. We got to
explore the island and discovered a deserted ship that had been pushed upon
the reef. According to what we found, it was sunk during WW2. We all got
very drunk and we also got a lot of hermit crabs very drunk too.
We were also told we were to get a medal for participating in atomic tests. NOT!
I hope that some of the people that were aboard ship with me can contact me on the net.
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Richard Moore
Mountain View,California
MOORE-OR-LES@worldnet.att.net
--Keith Whittle
July 3, 1998
Operation Redwing