From: JWinch8462@aol.com
Date: Sat, 22 Apr 2000
Subject: Re: XRDS
To: avri@worldnet.att.net
CC: pdxavets@aracnet.com (Keith)
I just sent Robert Campbell and you the answers to questions he asked.. I
was a radarman on each of the ships I served on and army doctors who came
aboard the ship I was on, I believe in Port Chicago, reported that the
radiation level was very high. I think that ship was the Courtland (PA75)
but it may have been the Bayfield (PA33)or the Bexar (APAS237). One told me we
would all be lucky if any of us lived more that 18 months. That ship was soon
ordered to the east coast and I was ordered to China on the Buckley DD808.
My memory is not very good any more.
I will also appreciate any help you can give me . My doctor is conducting tests
until early June but he seems to think my problems are caused by the
radiation I was exposed to.
Jim
Hi Robert,
Greetings from Lake Worth, Florida.
I served on the Trippe DD403 in Bikini. It was a test ship. I was involved in
cleaning it up between the two tests.
When the tests were concluded I was
assigned to a transport. I think it was the Courtland a PA 75 (I think) but
it may have been the Bayfield PA 33 or Bexar APA 237.
The ship I came back
on had severe damage from the tests and soon after we anchored in San
Francisco we and two other test ships were ordered out because of our
contamination. We returned to port in a couple of days and tied up at Port
Chicago until the ship was ordered to the East Coast and I was sent to
China.
As I remember it the three ships were test ships (One a submarine) and
three newspapers in California got pretty excited about our being there.
I do not belong to the ships organization. I would be interested in joining.
State of health=poor. Am going through diagnosis now. Doctor thinks I have
perepheral nerve atrophy and muscle deterioration and weakness. I will send
a copy of his diagnosis when completed.
I have not kept in touch with any of shipmates
I do not have a copy of the DNA report but if available I would like to get
a copy. I have no information about Bikini.
I have four children born after my return. Their health appears to be good.
I was almost 18 when I arrived in Bikini
I am a permanent resident of Florida.
I will appreciate any help you can give me. My doctor seems to be quite
concerned about my health.
Thanks.
Jim Winchester
Email:JWinch8462@aol.com
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