Operation Redwing
US Atomic Veterans
Paul Teachey
Paul Teachey sent email about his duty at Operation Redwing.
From: LAYOVERSAIL1@aol.com
Date: Sun, 1 Oct 2000
Subject: Operation Redwing-Yag 40
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Keith,
I participated in or witnessed 17 atomic blasts while serving aboard the Granville S. Hall, YAG 40 during Operation Redwing in the Marshal
Islands in 1956.
At the time I was 19 years old, a boilerman 3rd class and in charge of the
engineering spaces during 5 bomb blasts. Usually we had one-first class
engineer in the control room with several other crew members and scientists.
This room was mid-ship below deck and surounded by water for protection. This
was for the monitoring of the ships operation and the amount of radiation
collected. Only two of us, my striker and myself were outside this room.
Our station was in the auxiliary engine room, one deck above and aft of the
boiler room. My striker was a Fireman and his name was Flemming. (I can't
remember his first name but we called him "Wheat." I would like to locate
him as he could witness our experience on this one particular mission).
Editors Note: I received this email from Kyle Fleming regarding his father, Phil "Wheat" Fleming.kw
To: "Keith" pdxavets@aracnet.com
From: "Tricker" tcwsales@qwest.net
Subject: Re: Phil Fleming
Keith,
My Father "Phil Fleming" who passed away 9-4-01 was in
Operation Red Wing but never would go into detail regarding that part of his
life. His death was cigarette related "Chronic Lung Disease" and he ended up
on a ventilator and then he suffered a heart attack and died. He suffered
many years with his breathing problems.
I do not know of anything that could be caused by his exposure to the
radiation although I know he took a heavy dose of it one day at least. He is
"Wheat" that Paul Teachy referred to in his quest to locate my Father in
your US Atomic Veterans page. They called him this because he was so thin.
Thanks,
Kyle
Paul Teachey's story continues.
After
the blast was detonated, we were out of our designated space checking the
engine room and changing the tips on the atomizers in the boilers. A scientist,
located us and told us that the ship inside was getting a lot of radiation
and it looked like it may be coming from the aft engine room hatch. As we
were the only ones qualified and out of the control room we "volunteered to
re-dog it down." As I remember, this was less than one hour after detonation.
Not knowing what to expect, we cut the wash down system off and proceeded
outside of the ship. The sky was cloudless, sun bright, sea calm like glass
and a quarter of an inch of snow on deck. Actually not snow but corral from
the bottom of the Pacific. I would like to know the depths at this location.
(very deep I think) when we arrived back at Enewetak, Wheat and I were
admitted into the hospital. We were told that we were very (hot) and would be
sent back to San Francisco. For some reason were not returned to the States,
but were returned back to duty aboard the Granville S. Hall. However we
were temporary placed in tents on Parry Island, the next island to Enewetak.
Our film badges were misplaced or lost and I can't find any medical record of
this in any file.
Upon written request from the VA, a Mr. D. M Schaefer of
the DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION, Dulles, Va. was requested to verify my presence
at Operation Redwing and the amount of radiation I acquired. His response is that it will take ("Three to four months or longer to complete"). This was June 8 of this year. I have Doctors
reports stating that radiation during this Operation was a likely factor of
my development of lung cancer. I am currently waiting for the rating from the
VA as to what percentage of disability I will be awarded.
William (Bill)C. Leeuwenburg, of Wilmington, NC has cancer and is receiving 100% disability. Bill was on a sister ship, the George Eastman, YAG 39. He can and will attest to our activities during Operation Redwing.
I hope this statement is not to long and boring. If I can assist any one else
in these related matters, please call upon me. Thanks for you time and help.
Sincerely,
Paul Teachey
Wilmington, N. C.
Email:LAYOVERSAIL1@aol.com
Keith Whittle
October 2, 2000
[ Operation Redwing ]