LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A Korean War veteran from Laughlin took cover on his ship from U.S. atomic bomb testing while serving aboard the USS Walker in the Central Pacific Ocean.
Ozzie Martin is preparing to join other local Korean and Vietnam War veterans on an Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C., to tour war memorials.
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Witnessing nuclear testing
In 1950, Martin stood on the deck of the USS Walker and observed U.S. bomb blast tests in the Marshall Islands at the Enewetak Atoll.
“Four atomic bomb blasts,” Martin said.
Martin said the ship was sometimes seven miles from the blast and other times four miles away. Each time, he covered up and prepared for the detonation.
“And turn your back. And we still saw a bright flash. And a few seconds later felt the heat from the blast,” Martin said.
According to the Atomic Heritage Foundation, the Enewetak Atoll was one of the main testing sites along with the Bikini Atoll. Martin said he took part in Operation Greenhouse, which was intended to reduce the size and weight of bombs while increasing their power.
Radiation exposure
Martin said radiation exposure was not discussed at the time.
“It wasn’t even mentioned. But I did read in my service record that I received so many roentgens of radiation. But I’ve never had any ill effects or sickness. I’ve heard about people that did, but not from my ship that I’m aware of,” Martin said.
Martin stays active by bowling. In fact, he’s bowled a perfect game.
“I was 70 years old when I got my first one,” Martin said.
He bowled a second perfect game two weeks later.
The Marshall Islands was not Martin’s only service. He was also in Korea three different times.
Martin was a sonar man, looking for enemy submarines.
He explained the difference between hearing a whale in the water and a submarine.
“A whale will be a mushy echo,” said Martin. He added, “When the sonar beam hit them, it would kind of soak in a little bit before it’d give you an echo. So, it’d give you a squishy.”
“But a solid submarine will be a sharp ping,” said Martin.
He also said they worked to take out a railway that the North Koreans were building to move supplies.
“And I remember one time, we were about a mile offshore, because we had five-inch guns and shoot five-inch shell, guns and shooting. But the USS Iowa was shooting sixteen-inch shells, and they flew over us. And you could hear the boom,” said Martin.
He says they ended up taking out the railway.
Honor Flight Southern Nevada leaves for Washington D.C. Friday morning. The visit starts at the WWII Memorial. The group will then head over to the Korean War Memorial, Women’s Vietnam Memorial and then the Vietnam Memorial Wall. Veterans will also visit the Air Force Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, among other stops.
FOX5 will be traveling with the group once again.
The public is invited to welcome the veterans back home on Sunday around 3pm at Harry Reid Airport. People will gather near the shops above baggage claim.
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