[ Ships of T.F. 7.3 ] [ EPG Map ] [ Deck Log ] [ Captain’s Report ] [ Phase Report ]
[ D.N.A. Fact Sheet ] [ NAAV Memorial ] [ Links ]
Ships of Joint Task Force (JTF) 7.3 – Operation Hardtack 1
NAME PERIOD IN EPG REMARKS
USS BOXER (CVS-21) FEB 58-AUG 58 FLAGSHIP
USS COMSTOCK (LSD-19) DEC 57-APR 58
USS TORTUGA (LSD-26) FEB 58-APR 58
USS BELLE GROVE (LSD-2) APR 58-AUG 58
USS MONTICELLO (LSD-35) APR 58-AUG 58
T-LST 618 SEP 47-DEC 58
T-LST 664 SEP 57-OCT 58
USS RENVILLE (APA-227) APR 58-MAY 58
USS MAGOFFIN (APA-1990 MAY 58-JUN 58
USS NAVARRO (APA-215) JUL 58-AUG 58
USS FLOYD B. PARKS (DD-884) MAR 58-MAY 58
USS JOHN R. CRAIG (DD-885) MAR 58-MAY 58
USS ORLECK (DD-886) MAR 58-MAY 58
USS PERKINS (DDR-877) MAR 58-MAY 58
USS MANSFIELD (DD-728) MAY 58-AUG 58
USS COLLETT (DD-730) MAY 58-AUG 58
USS DEHAVEN (DD-727) MAY 58-AUG 58
USS BENNER (DDR-807) MAY 58-AUG 58
USS EPPERSON (DDE-719) AUG 58-AUG 58
USS CHANTICLEER (ASR-7) APR 58-MAY 58
USS GRASP (ARS-24) MAR 58-JUN 58
USS BOLSTER (ARS-38) MAR 58-JUN 58
USS MOCTOBI (ATF-105) FEB 58-JUN 58
USS ARIKARA (ATF-98) MAR 58-AUG 58
USS TAKELMA (ATF-113) MAR 58-AUG 58
USS MUNSEE (ATF-107) MAR 58-JUN 58
USS CHOWANOC (ATF-100) MAR 58-JUN 58
USS CREE (ATF-84) APR 58-AUG 58
USS HOOPER ISLAND (ARG-17) APR 58-JUN 58
USS CACAPON (AO-52) MAR 58-AUG 58
USS LANSING (DER-388) MAY 58-JUN 58
JUL 58-AUG 58
USS JOYCE (DER-317) MAY 58-JUN 58
USS SILVERSTEIN (DE-534) SEP 58-SEP 58 3 Weeks period.
USS REHOBOTH (AGS-50) APR 58-JUN 58
USS LAWRENCE CTY (LST-887) MAY 58-JUN 58
USS AINSWORTH (T-AP-181) APR 58-JUL 58
USS BONITA (SSK-3) APR 58-JUN 58
USS KARIN (AF-33) MAR 58-AUG 58 Operated bwtween Pearl
USS MERAPI (AF-38) MAR 58-AUG 58 Harbor and EPG.
USS COGSWELL (DD-651) JUL 58-AUG 58
USS SAFEGUARD (ARS-25) JUL 58-AUG 58
USS HITCHITI (ATF-103) JUL 58-AUG 58 Mission Basis.
USS TILLAMAMOOK (ATF-102) JUL 58-AUG 58
Title: OPERATION HARDTACK ENIWETOK PROVING GROUND MARCH-AUGUST 1958
FINAL REPORT COMMANDER TASK GROUP 7.3 (DELETED)
Originating Organization: JOINT TASK FORCE SEVEN
Location of Document: DOE/NV Coordination and Information Center
P.O. Box 98521
Las Vegas, NV 89193-8521
Phone:(702)295-1628
Fax: (702)295-0877
EMail: cic@nv.doe.gov
Document Number: DASA-A-61-521; DASAA61521
Document Type: Report
Document Date: 11/03/1958
Declassification Status: SANITIZED DOCUMENT AVAILABLE
Document Pages: 0272
Accession Number: NV0116875
Opennet Entry Date: 02/17/1995
[ Top ]
The destroyer MANSFIELD was present in the EPG (Enewetak Proving Ground) for 29 of the 35 HARDTACK shots, from 11 May to 1 August. Its primary functions were weather observations and SAR assignments. In addition, it was flagship for Commander, Destroyer Squadron 9, who was responsible for all commissioned destroyers and submarines involved in WAHOO (shot) and who served as CTU 7.3.2. CTU 7.3.3. and SOPA (Admin), scientific projects. On 24 July, MANSFIELD gunners sank the SCAEVOLA shot barge in 1,000 fathoms (1.829 km) of water, 9 miles (16.7 km) south of Enewetak. It arrived in time to take part in various WAHOO rehearsals. On 25 July MANSFIELD escorted the Japanese vessel KAMPIA MARU out of the EPG (Reference C.3.3.17) before shot PINE.
The tests comprising the 1958 Operation Hardtack I were as follows:
- YUCCA, April 28, Pacific (between Enewetak and Bikini), balloon, weapons effects,
1.7 kilotons (kt) - CACTUS, May 5, Enewetak, surface, weapons related, 18 kt
- FIR, May 11, near Bikini, barge, weapons related, 1.36 megatons (Mt)
- BUTTERNUT, May 11, near Enewetak, barge, weapons related, 81 kt
- KOA, May 12, Enewetak, surface, weapons related, l.37 Mt
- WAHOO, May 16, near Enewetak, underwater, weapons effects, 9 kt
- HOLLY, May 20, near Enewetak, barge, weapons related, 5.9 kt
- NUTMEG, May 21, near Bikini, barge, weapons related, 25.1 kt
- YELLOWWOOD, May 26, near Enewetak, barge, weapons related, 330 kt
- MAGNOLIA, May 26, near Enewetak, barge, weapons related, 57 kt
- TOBACCO, May 30, near Enewetak, barge, weapons related, 11.6 kt
- SYCAMORE, May 31, near Bikini, barge, weapons related, 92 kt
- ROSE, June 2, near Enewetak, barge, weapons related, 15 kt
- UMBRELLA, June 8, near Enewetak, underwater, weapons effects, 8 kt
- MAPLE, June 10, near Bikini, barge, weapons related, 213 kt
- ASPEN, June 14, near Bikini, barge, weapons related, 319 kt
- WALNUT, June 14, near Enewetak, barge, weapons related, 1.45 Mt
- LINDEN, June 18, near Enewetak, barge, weapons related, 11 kt
- REDWOOD, June 27, near Bikini, barge, weapons related, 412 kt
- ELDER, June 27, near Enewetak, barge, weapons related, 880 kt
- OAK, June 28, near Enewetak, barge, weapons related, 8.9 Mt
- HICKORY, June 29, near Bikini, barge, weapons related, 14 kt
- SEQUOIA, July 1, near Enewetak, barge, weapons related, 5.2 kt
- CEDAR, July 2, near Bikini, barge, weapons related, 220 kt
- DOGWOOD, July 5, near Enewetak, barge, weapons related, 397 kt
- POPLAR, July 12, near Bikini, barge, weapons related, 9.3 Mt
- SCAEVOLA, July 14, near Enewetak, barge, safety experiment, zero yield
- PISONIA, July 17, near Enewetak, barge, weapons related, 255 kt
- JUNIPER, July 22, near Bikini, barge, weapons related, 65 kt
- OLIVE, July 22, near Enewetak, barge, weapons related, 202 kt
- PINE, July 26, near Enewetak, barge, weapons related, 2 Mt
- TEAK, August 1, off Johnston Island area, rocket, weapons effects, 3.8 Mt
- QUINCE, August 6, Enewetak, surface, weapons related, zero yield
- ORANGE, August 12, off Johnston Island area, rocket, weapons effects, 3.8 Mt
- FIG, August 18, Enewetak, surface, weapons related, 20 tons
“There was not much to see on Eniwetok but some metal buildings, tents and an airstrip. The island was so narrow you almost throw a rock across it. I didn’t sail with the ship in April, I flew over and arrived on June the 1st, along with another shipmate named John K. Danley. The ship was at sea, so we were put in tents at the seas edge. We got payed that day by the Army. We had our pay records with us, because we had picked them up at Pearl Harbor.
I bought a snorkel and spear gun from the PX and went snorkling and got the worst sun burn I have ever had. I slept in the surf that night because I couldn’t lay on a cot. The next night I had to go to the hospital with nothing on but my underwear. The Army docs fix me up and I boarded ship again on the 4th of June.
Some other things that stick out in my mind are the powdered food and the gaint lizards that were on Fred island. I also remember we escorted a Japanese boat out of the area.” – FA James Moore (57-58)
Mansfield’s Deck Log – Monday 26 May, 1958
[ Top ]
The Memorial is located in Biloxi National Cemetery . For further information you can snail mail to:
Biloxi National Cemetery
P.O. Box 4968
Biloxi, Mississippi 39535
Telephone: (601) 338-6668
[ Top ]
Related links:
Republic of the Marshall Islands – Nuclear Testing
National Association of Atomic Veterans’ Web Page
Portland Oregon Atomic Veterans
Email shipmate Richard (Mike) Jenkins (57-58) Atomic Veterans activist.
[ Top ]
