Operation Wigwam and Redwing
US Atomic Veterans
Billy L. Rose
Billy L. Rose sent email about his duty at Operation Wigwam.
From: Roundrockrose@aol.com
Subject: Operation Wigwam -- Granville S. Hall
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Date 11/24/07
I was aboard the General William Mitchell (TAP-114), a troop transport for three years. We made monthly trips to Yokohoma, Japan; Pusan and Inchon, Korea, dropping off and picking up troops. Our homeport was in San Francisco, CA. and later Seattle, WA.
When the request from NAVPAC for a Signalman with less than one year remaining on his enlistment. I volunteered. Neither I nor any of my shipmates knew what a YAGR was. I was ready for a change at that time. I went aboard the USS Granville S. Hall, YAGR-40 in March of 1955. The next few weeks and many hours were spent updating Notice to Mariners and charts for the entire Pacific. We had no idea exactly where were headed.
As I remember, there were only thirty seven Navy personnel aboard the Hall, plus civilian scientists.
When we got underway, we were part of Task Force 7.3.3 and proceeded in convoy to the test site.
As the test hour approached, the crew of the Hall was transferred to the LST Morgan County via LCVPs. This was an exciting event in itself, as the seas were quite choppy. The drop from the debarking nets into the LCVPs had to be timed just right, as the boats were rising and falling 6 to 8 feet. We were told to lay face down on the deck for our only protection, wearing only standard dungarees and shirt.
After the blast, we returned to the Hall, relit the boilers and repaired what damage that was suffered, pipes, etc...
Shortly thereafter, we put a motor whaleboat over the side. The crew was made up of a Boatswain Mate (coxswain), an Engineman, two scientists and I, a Quartermaster/Signalman third class.
We proceeded downwind towards the “Hot Spot” to allow the scientists to take water samples from the surface to several fathoms; and to collect some of the flotsam and debris from the blast.
My job was to maintain constant communications with the bridge of the Hall. This I did with a portable battery powered flashing light. My communicator (receiver) aboard the Hall was LTJG Glaser the OPS officer and my Division Officer). Although there were two 1st class Quartermasters aboard the Hall, they didn’t know Morse code or semaphore, strictly navigation, etc. LTJG Glaser was quite proficient in flashing light,
After going several miles toward the “hot zone”, we were told to return to the Hall.
Although were we all wearing Dosometers, I was never informed as to what the readings were, or how “hot” the area was where we were.
Later, ADM John Sylvester came aboard the Hall via helicopter (landed on the forward hold) and we returned to Hunter’s Point.
There was a considerable delay when we arrived. The tugs didn’t want to handle want to handle our ship because it was “hot.” When we finally did tie-up, the crew had to be screened before going ashore.
I must have been the last one to be cleared. I was sent back to the shower for scrub down numerous times. I was finally released after 4 or 5 hours.
When I corresponded with the Defense Special Weapons Agency with concerns of possible radiation exposure, they quoted the standard average radiation for the Hall. There was no record of the whaleboat trek. The Deck log could have verified the launch and retrieval of water and flotsam and debris. That information was lost! A coincidence, I suppose! I wonder how many of ships logs participating “WIGWAM” was lost.
Capt. Ginther was a fine officer. He insisted my getting a GED from USAFI upon discovering that I was a high school dropout. Capt. Ginther had the test set up and transportation to Treasure Island-San Francisco. He later wrote a letter of introduction to East Carolina State College in Greenville, NC. .recommending that I be accepted. When the Engineering Warrant Officer (can’t remember his name) realized that I was driving back to Texas; he built me a two wheel trailer, using parts from a local junk yard. He would accept no money.
The months spent aboard the Hall were great! Life aboard the Hall was like none I had previously experienced in the Navy. We three QM’S had a separate room. At breakfast we would walk by a caged area of the galley and select what we wanted. Then we would go to the ward room and got coffee and our breakfast would be brought to us. All hands; enlisted, officers and civilians ate at the same table. There was a large reefer located in a passage way which was always well stocked with cold-cuts, milk; and was available at all times.
I have been treated for colon cancer, lymphoma of the stomach, thyroid problems and many skin lesions over the years. I can’t say that my participation in “OPERATION WIGWAM” was the cause; however, neither my parents nor seven siblings had any of these problems. Makes you wonder.
I retired from the Navy as a Master Chief Petty Officer in 1974; retired from the Internal Revenue Service in 1994. I currently reside in Round Rock, TX,
P. S. Hi, I’m Bill’s wife. I can remember the day that the ship returned to Hunter’s Point. It was a scary day for me. I was waiting at the Housing area waiting for Bill to return. It seemed like all of our neighbors that were aboard the Hall came home. No Bill, so I put our 4 mo old son in stroller and walked for the gate. No sign of him or anyone else. We went back home thinking that he had gotten a ride from someone. He was still not at home when we got back. So off we went again. Our son was tired and so we returned to the house to wait. It was hours before Bill got home and he did not explain for years after why he was the last one off the ship. He had had to take multiple showers until he could pass the meter. He had to get rid of all the clothing he was wearing. I was very grateful to see him walking thru the door. I was amazed that his badge showed nothing. How can that be? I contacted LTJG Glaser the OPS officer and his Division Officer to no avail. Somehow he managed to forget anything that happened about the Hall. Was interested only in another of the ships parcipating in atomic tests.
Jennie Rose
Billy L. Rose
Round Rock, TX.
Email: Roundrockrose@aol.com
Keith Whittle
November 29, 2005
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