From: "Dale Vantrease" dandmvan@crossville.com
To: "Keith" pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Atomic Veteran (Operation Crossroads)
Date: Sat, 26 Jun 1999
Keith,
We arrived aboard the USS PGM 23 at Bikini around the 1st if May 1946.
Our job was to take the scientist into the harbor and take water
samples as well as some fish (mostly sand shark).
To prepare for the first explosion we were suppose to be about 15
miles from the target ship (USS Nevada) (painted red).
For safety we turned our back to the test site,covered our eyes in
the crook of our arms and oh yes turned up our collars.
To my knowledge we were the first ship into the target area after
the blast. In fact we were about 200 yards from the SARATOGA (before she
sank) and we were listening to the radio and heard "no ships will be allowed
into the target area before it is declared safe."
After each of the tests (above and below water) we would take the
scientists back for more test samples.
Our ship became so hot we had to evacuate it for a few days. When
we came back aboard we washed the ship down with sea water, the same water
that the A bomb had exploded in.
After the second test we were sent to Pearl Harbor for decommissioning
of the ship. I really do not remember if the other ships (PGMs) were sent to
Pearl or not. There were 6 PGMs.
I have some momentos, such as a Crossroads Newsletter, dated
Saturday Night, ll May l946, Bikini Atoll, Number IX.
A short snorter with the signature of the crew and scientists.
A card stating I was in the A-bomb test. Joint Task Force One, Atomic bomb test,
signed by Vice Admiral McKenney (not sure of the spelling).
I would be glad to send you a copy of any of these if you wish.
Thanks again
Dale B. Vantrease
E-Mail dandmvan@crossville.com
[ Operation Crossroads ]
