The Wetokian: News for the Enewetok Weather Men

The Wetokian
Web Issue

Mailbox

Spring
1999

Editor's Note: Ed Cooper is one of the Rongerik group that were trapped in fallout from BRAVO. Please read Boley Caldwell's email in this Mail Box; "USAF Weather Personnel Ops Castle Shot Bravo," to see the names of others. Also, let us know if you recognize any men on Boley's list. Some have not responded to snail mail from him.

Thanks
Harold

From: ECOOPER16@aol.com
To: hrw@dcr.net
Subject: Wetokian
Date: Monday, April 19, 1999 12:33 PM

Hi Harold,
I received a copy of the Wetokian today and I really enjoyed reading it. I especially enjoyed Hoot's Corner. It was good to see the names of some of the 28 men of Rongerik whom you've heard from. Please publish my name and address in the next issue. I would love to hear from any of the men.

I received a copy of the email you sent to Alan Day. It was right on. I haven't heard from him yet, but I;m looking forward to talking to him. Once I talk to Alan , I will probably OK your forwarding my manuscript to him. Oh yes the names used in my manuscript are ficticious for obvious reasons.

Regards,
Edward H Cooper
1650 Avalon Blvd
Casselberry, Fl 32707
(407) 695-3920

Editor's note: Sally's husband succumbed to stomach cancer two years ago and I have been looking for his crew mates with some success. The missions of this B29 crew included weather reconnaissance flights into and through atomic clouds at the Pacific Proving Grounds during Operation CASTLE.

Recently Sally asked for and received forms to apply for the lump sum settement provided for under RECA i.e. Radiation Exposure Compensation Act http://www.frontier.net/~dawesr/radiate.htm This email tells of just one problem faced by widows of Atomic Veterans.

To: hrw@dcr.net
Subject: Re: COMPENSATION
Date: Thursday, April 15, 1999

Dear Harold -- This should be titled Compensation, or Not. After doing a lot of thinking on the matter, I decided to start the ball rolling on applying for radiation compensation. Reading through the application, I came across an item where they want to know if you receive DIC, and to itemize each and every payment that's been made. I wondered if that meant they would subtract that amount from the settlement. So I called the 800# and spoke with a REAL person. What I suspected was correct--it's another "offset" (the guvmint loves offsets). But the clincher is that, if you elect to receive the settlement money, minus whatever DIC payments you've already gotten, you forfeit any more DIC. Since I do get DIC, and I plan to live many, many more years(!) I'd be nuts to settle for the lump sum. I told the girl on the phone that that should be made more clear right up front, before an applicant collects all those intrusive documents or hires an attorney to do it. I'm actually relieved, because now there's no decisions to make. Well, just thought I'd share this with you, because I wonder how many people erroneously think they can get the lump sum AND DIC. Oh, and not only that -- if my husband had lived long enough to make the claim for himself, it would automatically forfeit any DIC for me. The way I see it, since my husband opted for Survivor Benefit Plan, and VA offsets DIC from that, the only benefit I have is that I don't pay income tax on the DIC portion of my monthly payment from Defense Finance Agency. Big deal, huh?

Do you think this information is worth disseminating through your website, or am I just a dummy who should have known this?? I'm sending the entire application packet to our congressman's constituent rep. He said they'll see if they can figure out a way to correct this "legislatively." One thing I didn't think to ask: After I die, can the children claim anything? Probably not, if I received DIC. Well, whatever -- I'm done with it.

Still waiting for replies from any crew member. Hope you folks are enjoying fine spring weather.

Sally

Editors Note: I helped Sally find some of her deceased husband's crewmates from CASTLE B-29 missions into the mushrooms. This is the first reply. I Hope many more will respond.

From: Bernie Wwynn
email: bfwynn@sprynet.com
To: Sally Uehara
Cc: Harold Wainscott
email: hrw@dcr.net
Subject: Operation Castle
Date: Friday, April 02, 1999

Hi Sally;

I have been thinking of Operation Castle, I can't ever remember the project having a name, guess we were too young to care about things like that.

I am also sending this to Harold Wainscott for his information.

What I remember about Eniwetok, it seemed like we were there forever, it was a long project, but as I later learned this was normal for Air Weather Service. I spent another eternity in Saudi Arabia when I was stationed at McClelland.

Eniwetok, I can remember for some of the tests, we could feel the shock waves in our quonset huts, I am not sure of the location of the test sites in relation to Eniwetok where we were based. I think we all had to wear film badges, so they could monitor any radition we might receive.

If you flew on the actual test mission, it was a little different. After the mission we were met and they checked us with gieger counters, and then we were taken to a shower facility, the only actual hot water on the island, after the shower they checked us again. The aircraft was roped off and no one was allowed access to it for awhile, eventually ground crews got to wash it and after checking it was returned to service.

I think the last test was somewhere close to Eniwetok, maybe on the outskirts of the atoll. But everyone on the island had to be on the ramp and we had evacuation plans in place, each B-29 was designated to take between 25-50 people in addition to the flight crews if necessary. I believe if the evacuation went into effect we were to go to Kwajelin, but fortuantely the winds held and there was no apparent dangers.

I can say Hickam looked awful good to us after our extended stay on Eniwetok. I can't imagine any of us talking much about the actual tests, people normally don't want to hear anything about stuff like that and they look at you like you are making it up.

This last summer the Confederate Air Force visited close to us with a B-29. I took my 13 year old grandson and I actually impressed him, seeing the aircraft brought back quite a few memories.

I hope this is helpful to you and if I can provide any other information let me know.

Bernie

Editors Note: Here is some mail from Boley Caldwell. The several names he mentions in this are men that were caught in the fallout plume on Rongerik for two days. The fallout was so heavy they could see it. It looked like dirty snow. Some of these men I found by working the search engines hard. There will be a report in the hard copy next week regarding this.

We have found there are several mistakes in this list The NTPR sent to Boley. First of all there were 28 men in total on Rongerik. There were 25 USAF and 3 USA. I have a copy of their depositions. The NTPR has mixed in some of those that were sent in as a relief crew after the evacuation. Look for the depositions on this Website later. I need to check and be absolutely certain; ALL the depositions are there. Good viewpoints. Good reading. Just need to be sure the report is complete.

Thanks much.

Harold

From: Boley H. Caldwell III
1atomvet@airmail.net
To: hrw@dcr.net
Subject: USAF Weather Personnel Ops Castle Shot Bravo
Date: Wednesday, November 18, 1998 5:13 PM
Dear Mr. Wainscott,
The National Association of Atomic Veterans' Medical Data Base is attempting to locate the whereabouts of 28 USAF and 3 US Army personnel who were on Rongerik Island during and after Shot Bravo of Operations Castle.

Through contact with the NTPR unit of Defense Threat Reduction Agency (formerly DSWA and DNA) we have identified by name the 31 individuals concerned.

Five individuals are known to be deceased (Gene O. Curbow,Wallace R. Neil, Samuel H. Seville, William E. Thorton(USA), and Lyle L. Winchester.

Five individuals have not contacted DTRA/NTPR and we are carrying them as unknown (Billie F. Ashby, Lawrence L. Baker, Walter J. Gilbert, Gerald R. Lamagna, and Samuel H. Smith.

We have sent 24 letters to DTRA/NTPR which have been forwarded in accordance with the Privacy Act to individuals.

To date we have received answers in the form of a completed medical questionnair from 10 individuals [Ramon N. Bertolino, Dale A. Black, Lawrence Bushkin, Albert R. Campbell, Edward H. Cooper, John A. Kapral, Lamont R. Noley, Donald J. Sieber(USA), and Richard L. Weaver. I will be glad to forward postage paid correspondence from you to these individuals should you care to contact them.

This leaves us with 11 individuals we are still seeking to contact Billie F. Andrews, Lawrence L. Azbill, Oris Cagle, Raymond Harmer, Richard C. Pettengill, Ronald E. Pletsch, Robert L. Roper. James E. Schwomeyer, James W. Stewart, Charles Townsend, and Joseph E.R. Vigneault.

We have identified other individuals connected with this detachment, the pay officer Leonard E. Bogusz, Detachment CO Major Robinson, a cook? named "LeBlanc", Detachment Officer Lt. McDaniels, one of the pilots of the evacuation plane LTC Joe V. Disana. We are particularly interested in information on the cook "LaBlanc."

I would like to hear from you should you have information whereby we may contact any of the above 11 uncontacted vererans, the 5 as yet "unknown" veterans, and/or the widows or family of the 5 deceased veterans. Additionally would you please place a notice that NAAV is trying to locate the individuals above. And finally, we would ask each of you "Wetokian's' to write for and return a completed copy of the NAAV Medical Data Questionnair. A copy may be obtainrd by sending a request to NAAV DATA BASE, 2310 Apollo Way, Mesquite, Texas 75150.

Thanks for your time,
Best Regards - Boley Caldwell

Editors Note: This young man is something special. We will hear a lot more from him. So sorry this came during my Florida trip. If I had just been at home I would have talked to Jerry before he died.

From: Tim Schultz tks@cyberhighway.net
To: hrw@dcr.net
Subject: Rawin Group Summer 1952
Date: Sunday, March 07, 1999

Hello Mr. Wainscott,

My name is Tim Schultz and on this day March 7, it just so happens to be my fathers 68th birthday. This also happens to be the day I find this wonderful web site containing a photo of my father. He was part of the Rawin Group of 52. His name is Gerald Schultz and is living in Grants Pass, Oregon. He has told me of his stay on Eniwetok Atoll and has been active in searching for friends from the past.

Recently [Jerry] my father was diagnosed with leukemia. At this time he is greatly excited about this discovery I have come across regarding this site, because he has yet to see the photos of the Rawin Group. Please add him to the 'still alive' list of names on this web site. He can be contacted at:

12470 Lower River Rd.
Grants Pass, Or. 97526
ph#541-479-2049

Many Thanks,
Tim Schultz

Editors Note: I refered Tim to Boley Caldwell who has the numbers to call and some people who help with VA claims. Some may know of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. The phone# for info on this is 800 729-7327. The address of a short explanation of this Federal Law can be found at:
http://www.frontier.net/~dawesr/radiate.htm

Harold Wainscott

From: Tim Schultz tks@cyberhighway.net
To: hrw@dcr.net
Subject: My Dear Dad
Date: Wednesday, March 17, 1999 9:38 PM

Hi Harold,

Gee I just talked to you last night and what a wonderful discovery we've come across. Well after talking with you I called my folks, and found that my dad really was not doing well.

This morning as I dropped my daughter off at school I asked that she pray that Grandpa need not suffer any longer. Dad passed away today at 4:30 pm and has joined the many Soldiers turned SAINTS.

Please continue to keep in touch when possible, and let me know who to contact regarding V.A. benefits. We are having some time keeping up with the medical bills that have incurred. It would give my mother some help, if she could manage the bills.

Any ways keep in touch.
your new friend,
Tim Schultz
Son of Gerald [Jerry] Schultz

From: DDunlap2@aol.com
To: hrw@dcr.net
Subject: Eniwetok map
Date: Wednesday, December 30, 1998

Harold,
When I arrived on Eniwetok or sometime after I was given a yellow booklet printed "Welcome to Eniwetok." It was an information pamphlet with a greeting letter from the island commander, a history of the island, recreational activities, clubs, security, etc. etc. 10 or 12 pages in all. The last page was a fold out map of Eniwetok Island showing the air field, road, and location of the different facilities.

I have the booklet but the fold out map has disappeared over the years. If you or any of your friends have the map, I would like to pay for duplicating it and replacing it in my booklet.

I have not found in the past few years, on the internet, a map of only Eniwetok Island. I did purchase a navigational map of the Atoll, but the Island is only about an inch long and the only feature marked is the water tower.

I did notice that on the site I sent to you, on the wartime capture of Eniwetok, that it listed a map (probably a battle map) of Eniwetok Island but then noted that maps were not included on the internet copy. Although this map would be interesting, it would not pin point the location of Duffy's Tavern, the Consolidated Mess, etc.

If you could help me locate the welcome pamphlet map, I would be deeply indebted.

Dick Dunlap

From: DDunlap2@aol.com
To: hrw@dcr.net
Subject: Eniwetok Tales
Date: Wednesday, November 18, 1998

Harold,

Happy to receive your reply. Here's my autobiography.
While in college in 1950 some friends suggested that in order to not be concerned about a college deferment, in event of a draft notice, I should join the National Guard. Joined in November and in May was notified the division was to be activated in Feb of '52. Basic in California, and then volunteered for JTF 132. Crossed the international date line on my 21st birthday, making it 4 hours long.

Worked in Depot Supply for 12 months mostly as Chief Clerk. Saw Mike and King. Worked extra duty as Life Guard at the beach. Wanted desperately to go home and get on with my life.

Now after 45 years of getting on with my life, I look back and try to remember the everyday happenings of that year. I have lost track of all my friends from the rock and have been unsuccessful in finding them on the Internet. I've written a few short pieces on my experiences and will send one to you when I've polished it up a little.

I did see one old friend. In your pictures, you had a couple of dogs. There was Old Sam, I remember as the Air Force dog. He used to ride the buses. Dogs were about as important as people to us.

I would appreciate very much receiving a copy of the Wetokian.

Dick Dunlap
12911 Legend Lakes Drive
Roscoe, Illinois 61073

Editors note: Sam thought he was an ordinary human. He would wait at the bus stop and ride to wherever he wanted to go. There, he would go to the door to signal the driver he wanted off.
To see Sam's Picture click here.