Operation Hardtack 1
1958
US Atomic Veterans
George Weyhrich
George Weyhrich sent email about his duty at Operation Hardtack.
Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999
From: Weyhrich weyhrich@hargray.com
Subject: Eniwetok-1958
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Hey Keith,
I arrived on Eniwetok in late August, 1957 as the Supply Clerk for the
Operations Detachment. This was at the beginning of the buildup for
Operation Hardtack. There were two Army support detachments - Operations
and Administration. In Nov. or Dec. of that year, our Supply Sergeant had
to leave the island on very short notice for medical reasons. Since there
was no Supply Sergeant "on order" from the states, my company commander put
me in that spot on a temporary basis with the promise that if I could
handle the job I would be given the opportunity to get my sergeant's (E-5)
stripe. In early 1958 some E-5 promotions became available and I was given
the opportunity to go before the promotion board. A few weeks later I
received the promotion to Supply Sergeant.
When the buildup was completed we had over 300 men in our detachment. I had
two clerks working with me.
Our Company Commander was Charles J. Shoemaker, Capt. and our Exec Officer
was Alan R. Carlisle, 1st. Lt.
I spent a year on the island and left during the phase down as I was
starting to college that fall.
In addition to army personnel, there was a large air force detachment on
the island. At a neighboring island code named "Fred" was a large group
of construction workers from Holmes and Narver Construction Co.
You said you had addresses for my service records if interested.
Specifically, what kind of records were you referring to? Several years
ago I received some information on some of the shots during Hardtack and
the reading of radiation from the badge that I wore. Do you have anything
else?
George Weyhrich
Bluffton, SC
Thanks again
Email: weyhrich@hargray.com
[ Operation Hardtack1 ]