We are but a few of the Survivors of the 1977-1980 Enewetak Atoll Atomic Debris Cleanup Mission in the Marshall Islands.
Our main focus is to help each other with information and moral support during challenging times of our declining health.
Our secondary focus is to urge Congress to change the current laws and recognize soldiers of the cleanup mission as “veterans who participated in radiation-risk activities during active service.”
Christmas at Enewetak Atoll did not seem like Christmas. It seemed almost impossible to enjoy Christmas, isolated from our beloved families, in 100 degree plus temperatures. Most of us were accustomed to snow or at least chilly temperatures back in the continental United States.
Top brass tried to help morale by hosting Christmas decorating contests, a special Christmas Menu and encouraging calls to family members via the MARS’ shortwave radio station. It helped.
This Christmas (2015) reminded me of Enewetak because it was uncharacteristically warm. So, I started thinking about my 1978 Christmas at Enewetak and it wasn’t too long before I started looking at the photographs I took, and pics others have shared from their time at Enewetak Atoll.
Here are the mementos and photos I found that have a Christmas connection to the 1977-1980 Enewetak Atoll Atomic Debris Cleanup Mission. Enjoy!
I hope you enjoyed our collection of Christmas memories at Enewetak Atoll. Feel free to share your memories of your time at Enewetak Atoll in the comments section below. If you have photos of your own, please share those with us as well. We’ll be happy to add them on our website.
We urge our supporters to encourage their politicians to support legislation which will include Enewetak Atoll Atomic Cleanup Participants in the U.S. Government’s definition of a veteran “who participated in radiation-risk activities during active service.”
Article written by Girard Frank Bolton, III. 1977-1979 Atomic Debris Cleanup Participant with C Company and HHC S-3 (Operations) of the 84th Engineer Battalion (Combat Heavy) (Fwd) Enewetak Atoll, Marshall Islands.
Photos and documents were shared by several Atomic Cleanup Veterans who participated in the 1977 – 1980 Humanitarian Mission.
I had one of those shell necklaces given to us from the Enewetak people at a Christmas event. I would have gotten mine in Dec 78, as I was there from Oct 78 to Mar 79. I also knew Rich, the Brooklyn Ball Buster, he was number 8, and the graffitti king in the latrines, lol.