Operation Ivy
US Atomic Veteran
Jimmy P. Robinson
Becky Miller sent an email inquiry about her father at Operation Ivy. From the single sentence she read on the Ivy page from the Defense Nuclear Agency's Fact Sheet, "During the operation a single-place airplane used in air sampling was lost at sea with it's pilot," the following story developed. There are two perspectives given here. One is what the family knew of the circumstances and the other is from Eniwetok Proving Grounds. Captain Robinson was not new to cloud sampling, he participated at the Nevada tests the previous year in Operation Tumbler/Snapper, (Official Sniffer Certificate) what was new was Eniwetok's Mike Shot was the first Hydrogen Bomb.
From: Beckymiller266@aol.com
Date: Sun, 6 Aug 2000
Subject: Operation Ivy 1952
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Hi Keith
I am the daughter of the one pilot that was lost in Operation Ivy. His name was: Jimmy P. Robinson, Capt. USAF. He was an F-84 pilot. | 
Photos from Becky Miller.
Click on the picture for a larger view.
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This photo was taken Feb. 17, 1944 at Briggs Field, TX, during B-24 Training.
He was shot down over Romania, June 11th. He ripped his leg when he jumped out of the B-24. He was held as a POW June 11th - Aug 31, 1944. After being liberated, he was taken to Italy then in Hospital in Miami, Fl. Sept. 8th. - Jan. 16,1945. I forgot, Italy: 5CM, 35 CH/110 hours total. He received a Purple Heart, and the Air Medal for that action. He was a First Lt. at the time. The Distinguished Flying Cross was awarded posthumously after Operation Ivy.
Hi Keith -
This is Becky Miller again. I am still searching for anyone who may have information about my father, Cpt. Jimmy P. Robinson. He was the F84 pilot who went down
in the lagoon during Operation Ivy. I wonder how you knew that a pilot was
lost. Who gave you that information? How can I contact anyone who would know anything about what really happened. Someone must know something. Do you know if any of the samplers (F84 pilots) are still alive? Please help.
My mother is 74 now and her health is not good. She would like to know anything we can find about my father. This photo was taken in Hawaii on the way to Kwajelin. They traveled on the
USS Rendova. | 
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Captain Robinson and family. | 
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The photos of the Ivy briefing before they left for Operation Ivy were sent to my mom from
Lookout Mountain Laboratory in Los Angeles. Below are: Hagen, Robinson, Weaver, Koller | 
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The official letters of condolence to Mrs Robinson from the military commanders in charge of Operation Ivy.
William E. Bertram, Colonel, USAF
Frederic Glanztzberg, Brigadier General, U.S.A.F.
P.W. Clarkson, Major General, US Army.
Hoyt S. Vanderberg, Chief of Staff, US Air Force.
Frederic Glanztzberg, Brigadier General, U.S.A.F. Search Report.
Willard V. Brown, Colonel, USAF (DFC)
Stateside newspaper articles in 1952 about the loss of Captain Robinson.
MEMPHIS JET PILOT MISSING IN PACIFIC
Capt. Robinson for Second Time Missing in Action
Capt. Robinson, Memphis Pilot, Killed in Pacific
Bergstrom Flier Killed in Pacific
Details of BAFB Flier's Death Told
MEMPHIS JET PILOT DIES IN PACIFIC CRASH
Obituary
WIDOW OF MEMPHIAN IS PRESENTED HIS DFC
Capt. Jimmy P. Robinson Memorial Service
Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia
This photo is of my mom (Rebecca Jane Robinson) receiving the DFC posthumously
for my dad. Thank you,
Becky Robinson Miller
Beckymiller266@aol.com | 
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In Becky Miller's search for more information about the loss of her father, she received this email from atomic veteran Dale Howard. Dale is the New Mexico State Commander for the National Association of Atomic Veterans and was on duty at Operation Ivy and furnished this perspective .
Here are declassified Secret excerpts from the Official Major Aircraft Accident Report
Keith Whittle
January 11, 2002
[ Operation Ivy ]
