Home Front / Bomb Testing / part two
On 18 December 1950, President Harry S. Truman gave his approval to use a portion of the U.S. Air Force’s Las Vegas Bombing and Gunnery Range in southeastern Nevada for atomic tests. Construction of the Nevada Test Site (NTS), originally known as the Nevada Proving Ground (NPG), began in January 1951. Construction of what became known as Camp Desert Rock did not start until September 1951. The camp was named for Exercise Desert Rock, a series of atmospheric nuclear tests first conducted at NTS in 1951. This site included Yucca and Frenchman Flats, Paiute and Rainer Mesas, and the Camp Desert Rock area, which was used by the Sixth Army in the 1950’s to house troops participating in atmospheric tests at the site.
Designed as a military support facility for NTS, Camp Desert Rock began as a temporary camp originally part of NPG. It was located twenty-three miles west of Indian Springs, Nevada, in Nye County on Highway 95 and assigned to Sixth Army effective 12 September 1951. Headquarters, III Corps, Sixth Army, chose an area just outside NTS about two miles southwest of the Atomic Energy Commission’s (AEC) Camp Mercury. The site, in the center of Mercury Valley, was bordered by the Spring Mountains and the Spotted Range towards the north and east and the Specter Range to the west. The Army acquired 23,058 acres for Camp Desert Rock from the Department of the Interior on 5 September 1951.
The Army established Camp Desert Rock to stage and house troops involved in training exercises associated with nuclear weapons testing by the AEC. Personnel from all four services were deployed to observe the detonations from trenches, tanks, and armored personnel carriers. After the completion of exercises, the camp adhered to radiological safety measures throughout its use. In 1951, the Army, working closely with the AEC, carried out the Desert Rock exercises to “dispel much of the fear and uncertainty surrounding atomic radiation and the effects of gamma and x-rays.”
The initial construction for Camp Desert Rock was accomplished by the 231st Engineer Combat Battalion, a North Dakota Army National Guard unit mobilized in September 1950 for the Korean War and based out of Fort Lewis, Washington. The battalion’s mission was to establish, build, and maintain the camp, and construct field fortifications at the atomic test sites. The 90th Engineer Water Supply Company handled the camp’s water supply, to include running water from a 190,000 gallon water tank, and several permanent type latrines with showers, flush toilets, and wash bowls. Temporary sumps for garbage disposal were built by the 597th Engineer Light Equipment Company.
Within the first six months of existence, Camp Desert Rock had grown from a few tents to a relatively comfortable, semi-permanent tent camp with many modern amenities. It had two permanent buildings for mess halls, each of which could accommodate 500 soldiers, electricity to all parts of the camp from nearby AEC Camp Mercury, and telephone, telegraph, and teletype facilities. A sewage system ran throughout the permanent part of the camp. In addition, the camp featured a permanent training auditorium with seating for 400, a post exchange housed in a Quonset hut, and framed and floored tents to house soldiers.
Click on images to enlarge.
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Shout Out >>>>
Those of you who were kind enough to send Major White, 104-year old veteran and oldest living U.S. Marine, a Valentines card – here is the story and end result!!
https://www.kcra.com/article/feeling-the-love-stockton-vet-gets-140k-valentines-day-cards/30936477#
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Military Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
Robert Cox Jr. – Guston, KY; US Army, WWII, ETO
Armando Groccia – Providence, RI; US Army, WWII
Ned Johnson – Vincennes, IN; US Army Air Corps, WWII
Brandon T. Kimball – Central Point, OR; US Army, Afghanistan, Spc., 3/10/10/10th mountain Division, KIA
Frank Losonsky – Detroit, MI; US Army Air Corps, WWII, CBI, 23rd Fighter Group/14th Air Force “Flying Tigers”, pilot
Matthew Morgan – Paladine, IL; US Army, SSgt., dive instructor
Glenn Neal – Konawa, OK; US Army, WWII, PTO
John “Donnie” Pullo Jr. – Boston, MA; US Army, WWII, ETO,Sgt., 82nd Airborne Division
Winsbury “Jim” Robinson – Kohimarama, NZ; RNZ Air Force / RAF # 413125, WWII, 485th Squadron, Spitfire pilot
Irvin Sullivan – Wichita, KS; US Navy, WWII, PTO, Lt. Commander, PBY Squadron VP 12 “Black Cat Raiders”, pilot-navigator
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Posted on February 17, 2020, in Home Front, Uncategorized, WWII and tagged 11th airborne, 188th Regiment, 1940's, 1950's, Army, Bomb testing, History, Military, Military History, veterans, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 103 Comments.
Interesting to read the infrastructure that went into establishing these camps, wonder what these sites would look like today, and also what effect it had on the land rights of peoples of the Indian nation as it appears the area selected was Indian country, just my viewpoint gp.
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I understand Desert Rock is pretty barren. The Indian rights, I’ll have to look into. Thanks for raising that question, Ian, I feel stupid not wondering about that.
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This is very detailed, GP. There was even an exchange there? Wow. What a camp. We sure didn’t know back then, did we? I wonder if those people became sick later on.
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I’d like to find out myself.
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Thanks, GP. The rest of us would love it if you did. Perhaps you will one day. 🙂
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I found results from the Mississippi tests, but not Nevada as yet.
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And you would think Nevada would have far more results.
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Maybe they just don’t want us to know yet.
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Hmm…
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There was such a cavalier attitude to nuclear safety in the 1950s. Fancy expecting to ““dispel much of the fear and uncertainty surrounding atomic radiation and the effects of gamma and x-rays.” Nowadays, we are a lot better informed!!
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Very true, John. People can’t understand that back then – atomic energy was new and so much was unknown.
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So notable! There is an old movie about this incident. Can’t remember the name at the moment, but it was quite interesting.
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Is it one of these?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_about_nuclear_issues
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Hi GP. The if title is Nightbreaker produced by Martin Sheen 1989 regarding an atomic exposure.
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I remember him being arrested in a few of his protests. He had a point but many didn’t know the actual dangers.
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Sheen?
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Yup. See for yourself.
https://www.thevintagenews.com/2019/04/04/martin-sheen/
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Thank you for sharing the story of Major White’s Valentines. I watched the video of him singing the three verses of the Marine Corps Hymn. It was quite remarkable!
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I love it when we can do something for one of those still with us, rather than remembering after they’re gone!! I appreciate you taking the time watch him.
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Thank you for sharing this story.
I got a kick out of the military humor
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The humor really seemed to get to everyone this post. I’m always glad to hear I caused a smile!
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Reblogged this on depolreablesunite.
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Thank you, Rick.
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Love the bit about the 140K valentines. My grandfather-in-law lived to be 101. He inspected factories during WWII but wasn’t sent overseas.
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Everyone did their part back then. It took an army to keep one soldier on the front!!
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So true. Rationing. Dance halls. Kids collecting metal. Everyone was involved.
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It seems nowadays, the only unity is in complaining about everything.
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My great uncle took one look at a beautiful woman walking out of a dance hall, and he knew she was the woman for him. He would tell that story 50 years later, and still with such a twinkle in his eye. They had a great marriage and three boys. I never asked him about the war. I would get so distracted by that twinkle in his eye.
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That was probably just as well.
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He did have such tact.
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🙂
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Great post on the nuclear testing. Also enjoyed the follow up on all the Valentines sent the 104-year-old. What a treat that must have been for him.
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I saw him on the news, such a big smile. The guy was cute.
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I really enjoyed the followup to the Valentine story. Sending those cards may have done as much good for those who sent them as for Major White. Reading about the attempts to “dispel much of the fear and uncertainty surrounding atomic radiation and the effects of gamma and x-rays,” I couldn’t help thinking of what’s going on right now with COVID-19. There’s some good information being put out, but there’s a lot of propaganda and misinformation, too — some of it being used to keep a sense of panic from rising.
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That’s exactly why I think the government lied about the effects of radiation back then. Panic wouldn’t serve to save anyone – where ya gonna go?
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The cynic in me keeps whispering that those ‘witnesses’ sound remarkably like guinea pigs …
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Most definitely!!
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Reblogged this on John Cowgill's Literature Site.
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Thank you, John.
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You are welcome.
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The Valentine’s Day link for Major White was wonderful, GP!
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Isn’t it terrific that people from around the world respond!!
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The Wile E. Coyote cartoon was hilarious.
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It certainly seems to be popular. Thanks, Adam.
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Your military humour is priceless too, GP! 🙂 Poor soldiers. Most of them at least heared after years of contamination about the harmful radiation.
By the way: Do you think Germany will accept the French offer on collaboration the “Atomic way”? 😉
Nowadays i think they are feeling like between Skylla (DJT – USA) and Carybdis (Macron – FR) Lol Michael
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France has often been a confusing country when it comes to politics. I think Germany has become weary of the offers from France and turn it down. (Personally, I think France has lost a bit of reality)
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Your real advice? 😉 In my opinion there is a cooperation between DJT and Macron, getting Germany back, closer to democratic wellfare and loyality. OK, i agree the “Fear of France” is legendary here, too. 😉 Maybe Macron will only deliver fake bombs to Germany. 😉
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I do wish your country all the best. You all deserve it.
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So true, GP! Thank you! Far away from the prophecy of our aggressive left and right wings, i awaiting the first civil war acitivities very soon too. There are too many issues, not solved over the last centuries, and there’s a too big difference between our officials and the citicens. ;-(
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Truly – a civil war?
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“dispel much of the fear and uncertainty surrounding atomic radiation and the effects of gamma and x-rays.” They sure knew how to lie! I did a double-take on one of the farewell salutes. My heart stopped for a few seconds. Love the Wiley Coyote cartoon!
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This post seems to have taken you on a roller coaster ride of emotions, eh Rose? A bit of variety, thanks for coming by.
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Great post, GP. Thanks also for the follow up on Major White.
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Thanks, John. And yes, I was thrilled to see Major White on the news, so I had to include it here for everyone who did send cards.
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😊
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Outstanding Military Humor today!
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Thanks. The military sure does have a sense of humor to help cope!
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It’s pretty amazing how fast we can build when motivated. I had that same reaction reading about the Korean War.
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Yes, when we put our minds to it – we can accomplish miracles. But today, people just want to complain and demand everyone else bend to their will.
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I’m still hooked on the story, and I love that you followed up on Major White… I saw him on the news last week and he is so adorable!
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Thank you, Rachel.
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A very interesting post. I was aware of how the tests were conducted and it seems completely astonishing now, with hindsight.
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With hindsight we can always find fault somewhere about anything, but nuclear testing was pushing – IMO.
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“dispel much of the fear and uncertainty surrounding atomic radiation and the effects of gamma and x-rays.” Not sure I would have put much faith in this, G. 🙂 I’d prefer to error on the side of caution when it comes to nuclear radiation. I rode my bicycle past the site as part of my 1989, 10,000 mile tour of North America and there was an anti-nuke demonstration going on even then. The last underground test was carried out in 1992. There were over a thousand tests altogether. An interesting history for sure. Thanks. –Curt
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I can sure understand everyone’s concern – and a thousand tests seems like over-kill to me.
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You have to wonder, G, for sure.
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Hello again. Just to let you know I asked my brother-in-law in Michigan to send me a copy of the manuscript my wife and I put together about her father Norman Brown who was a paratrooper with the 11th Airborne in Leyte. “Smitty” may be mentioned in there somewhere, or perhaps in one of the many photos. Bill.
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I thank you very much for doing that. Dad was 10 years older than most of the troopers he served with, so if there is anything derogatory in the manuscript, i won’t mind. He told me some respected him for being able to handle all the training and others resented it.
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GP: I’ll let you know when I receive the manuscript, may be a few days, my bro-in-law doesn’t get out much these days, esp. in frigid northern Michigan.
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I would suspect not with the weather they’ve been having. 🙂
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Reblogged this on New Mexicans in WWII & Korea: The Land of Enchantment goes to War.
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Thank you very much!
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A necessary infrastructure for testing weapons of destruction, I guess.
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I suppose you’re right, Derrick.
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GP, Fun cartoons and I enjoyed hearing about the Marine that ‘we’ helped spread the word about him wanting valentines. Semper Fi!
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I was thinking of you when I put in the info on Major White!! As soon as I saw it on the news, I went looking for an article about it and a picture. People from around the world sent cards – isn’t that fantastic?!!!
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It’s wonderful and proof that we haven’t killed all human kindness yet.
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Oh, and I love the Wiley Coyote cartoon. Protection against anvils, too 🙂
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I was wondering who would be the first to mention old Wiley!! Should have known it would be you, Dan!!
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In the early 1990s, we implemented a network Fax solution that allowed people to fax from their desk, as easy as printing. We all had to use the same Fax header sheet, which I was asked to design. On the top left, I had Wiley holding a sign that said “FAX” – on the top right, I had him holding his famous “Stupid” sign – I mean, you were picking up this document at a fax machine. The header lasted less than one day. Before Wiley was replaced by our logo.
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hahahaha, management had no sense of humor, eh?! I think it was a great idea!
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Humorless trolls 😉
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haha, typical.
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I think I would have rather been sent into combat. Did they have a plan for when they realized the certainty about atomic radiation and the effects of gamma and x-rays? 30 and 40 years later they were still debating those effects in Congress.
Thanks again for the work you put into this series, GP. It’s scary stuff.
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I’ve been trying to locate a follow up document. I think I have some info in an issue of “The Voice of the Angels” 11th A/B div. newspaper, but I’m going to have to hunt through my file of them. I’ll get back to you.
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Like Michael, I have to quote that line.
“dispel much of the fear and uncertainty surrounding atomic radiation and the effects of gamma and x-rays.”
That is blatant propaganda that put people’s lives and futures at risk. Pure and simple.
Best wishes, Pete.
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It kept people from panicking I suppose. Not every decision a nation makes isn’t always the correct one.
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That’s true!
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I wonder how the soldiers stationed their ended up later, health wise.
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I really don’t know if they followed up. I’ve been trying to locate any news.
Thanks for your interest, Pete.
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🙂 Fraggle not Pete but a Rose smells as sweet by any name 😀
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My deepest apologies, Fraggle!! I was just answering Pete before you and for some reason typed his name again.
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That’s Ok 🙂
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“dispel much of the fear and uncertainty surrounding atomic radiation and the effects of gamma and x-rays.” Yikes — duck and cover
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I know, what were they thinking?
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They were working from the facts at hand, I suppose. It took many years for the science to fully inform the decision makers.
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And then you have to get them to listen.
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Even though I recall the articles and controversy surrounding nuclear tests when I was a child, I never knew much detail about them. Thanks also for publishing the link to the Valentines Day cards.
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I’m glad I was able to do an informative post for you. I try to have a variety.
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Thank you.
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Thank you for sharing.
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