USS SLC...Enlisted Navy...Harold S. Newbill, S2c
Harold S. Newbill passed away on May 9th, 2011. Information from son, Don Newbill
Jan. 21st, 2002
Dear Sandy,
My Name is Harold S. Newbill and I served aboard the Salt Lake City
from Feb 1946 until the Operation Crosroads. She was my first ship to
serve on after I got out of boot camp. I was assigned to the Disbursing
Office and stayed with her until after the first bomb.
I remember my first trip to sea very well. The ships engines stopped and
we rolled for a day or two in the middle of the Pacific. Needless to say
I got my first taste of "seasickness". Some of the old salts aboard talked
about greasy bacon etc. which didn't help a bit.
After we reached Bikini we were given liberty on the island. Somewhere
along the line we were assigned to the USS Rockbridge APA-228. I cannot
remember being there for the last test.
I am sure you have heard all the stories about the bomb but as long as I
live I will never forget the sight of that monster of a boom that went up.
I was among the crew that went back to the ship for cleanup and deck
scrubbing. That is where I got my taste of "C" rations.
As for the after effects, I have had skin problems since then and my
children have skin problems, heart problems, spina-bifita and one child
died at 9 months old because of a malformed blood vein in her head.
Whether they are related to the bomb or not I do not know.
After we returned to Long Beach or San Pedro I was assigned to the USS
Columbus CA74. Somewhere along the line I obtained the rating of SKD2
which was changed to DK2 later.
Thank you for saving the history of my first ship. I learned a
lot from the veterans that were aboard during the war. Mail buoy
watch--left handed monkey wrenches, etc.
I have pictures of myself and a few buddies that were taken in Pearl
Harbor after our liberty. I got my first and only tattoo on that liberty.
Thanks again,
Harold S. Newbill
Operation Crossroads Veterans
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