USS SLC..."Enlisted Navy"...G. W. "Bill" Saunders, SM1c

Bill Saunders passed away of a heart attack March 29th, 2001 while visiting his son in California. Information reported by daughter Lisa

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March 30th, 2001

Apr. 25th, 2000

I was aboard until the atom bomb test both above and below water. Before that I was assigned to Cinpac Admiral Nimitz's communication. Admiral Nimatz was the nicest man I ever met. He always had a kind word for the enlisted men on his staff. I had a letter of appreciation from him.

I am not sure I had any health problems from Operation Crossroads. The only thing is, I lost my memory after they gave me a shot at the conclusion of both tests. I have no memory of leaving bikini or arrival in long beach. My memory begins after I was assigned to the St Paul.

There were a lot of things I remember at the tests. Boarding the SLC after the first bomb was dropped. The animals were a sight to behold, hard to explain their apperance. A goat looked as it had been turned inside out. The gieger counters went wild on all of us. I could go on and on but its a story few would believe.

SLC Deck Log Sep. 1943
Operation Crossroads Veterans
Read more about Operation Crossroads

You are really doing a good job.

Thanks
Bill Saunders

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UPDATE
May 30th, 2000
Sandy

I also remember them sending us aboard a German cruiser and a Jap cruiser after the first blast. I don't remember who went aboard with us. We were not allowed to stay very long because of the radition. After the last blast they gave us (how many I don't know) an injection of some sort that blocked my memory until I was aboard the St. Paul back in San Diego. The name of the operation was Operation Cross roads. They gave us a card with this name on it. The Navy should have a complete record of the operation plus all the names of the personal that were in the operation. It was a secret task, and I feel sure that a lot of the men had ill effects from it. I lost all my teeth within five months after, also all the hair on my chest and under arms. I believe it was from the radiation. Shepard also has skin deteration and a few other problems that I believe are a direct cause of radiation.

I want nothing from the Navy, but I feel that thay should at least tell the thing like it was.

Thank you for all the work you are doing.
Best reguards
Bill Saunders

#4 in picture from Wallace L. Walsh