Biography of John Ron Halderman
Sgt., USS Curtis, USMC, Cold War
My name is John Ron Halderman. I am one of the few remaining Curtiss Marines. I was at Operation Castle in 1954. Not many people know about it.
The washdown system became clogged with coral sand and stopped up the pump intakes. Those that did work, pumped radio-active sea water over the ship. The Curtiss Marines had shoot to kill orders for anyone that went on deck. On the Admiral's orders, we had to let the deck crew out to clean the pump intakes.
We were The Ghost Ship with no sailing or return to port times. After the tests we were told that we would go to Hawaii.That was cancelled because the ship was too radio-active.
The Curtiss was leased to the AEC and they ran the show. The government was a bunch of Gut Suckin' Lyin' Weasels then just like they are now. Russia had the Tsar Bomba in October 1961. At 50 megatons it was a three stage two atom bombs and a hydrogen bomb dropped at 40,000 feet and detonated at 25,000 feet. Kruschev did this to scare Kennedy. Buncha crazy bastards.
Most of us are in our late seventies and eighties. Most are dying with cancer related illnesses. Now that we are de-classified, I speak at schools and churches. No more reunions because we are too old to travel. I am still alive and running my mouth. I hope that I didn't bore you with my trivial ad-libs.
God Bless you.
----- Sgt. John R. Halderman
Email:
jerkfaceman AT aol.com
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