Operation Redwing
US Atomic Veterans
David Thompson
David Thompson sent email about his duty at Operation Redwing.
Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2002
From: THOMPSON lo2290@bellatlantic.net
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: memories of redwing
Keith.
I served on the USS Navasota AO 106 from Jan 1955 to Sept
1957. I was an FTSN in Fox division. We went to Operation Redwing about May, June 1956 as station tanker. We left Long Beach, early May 56, crossed the Date Line May 17
,56. We lost that day going west. Arrived Test Area late May. We suplied water and fuel to some of the ships participating in the a bomb tests.
I remember an air drop on
one of the small islands. I went inside my fire contol space on the
flying bridge until the countdown was over then looked out. There was
a very bright light on the ground. The only other shot was the H bomb
when we were arround Kawj. That one was big. The mushroom started below
the horizon and bellowed up to god knows how high. It was an early morning
shot, no wind. We could hear the rumbling sound. The cloud looked like
strawberry ice cream.
Then sometime in mid July, we left. My mother
saved my letters home so I have some idea when we where there. I
received two certificates about being at Redwing.
It was in 1999 when I
saw an article about atomic vets in the American Legion. I phoned the
gov. and answered the questions and was sent a package later about
radiation doses, web sites and other point of contact. I was told that
we [AO106] were ok about doses. Not like some personnel on the islands.
They couldn't move, we could.
After we left, it was on to Japan, Formosa,
Hong Kong, and Subic P.I. then back to Long Beach CA. in Oct 56. As I
said before, I served Jan 55 to Sept 57 in the gun gang. I was an FT3 when
I got out and glad to leave.
David Thompson,
66 and retired,
Here in Cape May County NJ.
Email: lo2290@bellatlantic.net
Keith Whittle
February 28, 2002
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