Search and Rescue Mission – Day 119

 

travel orders

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.”

We have a new mission. It is your choice to accept or refuse this mission.

Thirteen Atomic Cleanup Veterans have accepted this mission.

As of Day 119, we have 109 brothers on our list of atomic cleanup veterans to locate from our mission.

Two of them were reported to be Fallen Veterans. Two have reconnected with us in our Facebook Group but have not signed our RosterOne found us and has already been added to our Survivors Roster.

You too are encouraged to list every 1977-1980 Enewetak Atoll Atomic Cleanup Mission Participant you remember.

Some of our memories have blurred over the years. It is ok to provide partial information and misspelled names.

We can correct the information as our information grows.

Review this list of 109 remembered atomic cleanup veterans and let us know what you can contribute to our knowledge database.

  • Abbaticho(sp?), Thomas, 1st platoon, B Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, Parent Unit was at Fort Riley, KS. [dr 2/18/2015]
  • Aguon, David E., SSG, last seen 1992, CSM, Karlsruhe, Germany [dc 10/27/2014]
  • Apo, CPT [rh 12/29/2014]
  • Baldwin, Thomas E., CW3, Army, from Fort Story VA with 309th Transportation (fwd) (prov) attached to A Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, Lojwa [ja 2/18/2015]
  • Behrens, Maj, Army, S3 Operations Officer, 84th Engineer Battalion, Enewetak, last seen by gfb3 at Enewetak ~1978
  • Bifulco, Frank, CPT, [pl 2/18/2015]
  • Birch, Authur H. III, SP5, [pl 5/1/1977 travel orders]
  • Black, BMC, Navy, ACU-1, Spring – Summer 1977 [rp 1/14/2015]
  • Bourne, Robert, SGT, A Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, drove transit truck and operated crane late 1979 – 1980 [wok 10/26/2014]
  • Brewer, Thomas K., SP4, [pl 5/1/1977 travel orders]
  • Brothers, Mark [db 1/19/2015]
  • Bruce, Guy, Manager, Holmes & Narver, last known location was Andalusia, Alabama, last contact via phone by gfb3 ~2004
  • Bryon, George T., MAJ, Battalion Chaplain [pl 2/18/2015]
  • Burns, Roger, from Michigan [pl 2/18/2015]
  • Butler, Hugh T. “Motor Mouth” – Navy, 1979, Lojwa [gcp 10/27/2014] [Update: Carl Fleenor: “Checked his FB Site & saw he passed away June 6, 2014. SOB, I served with Hugh in ACU-1 & Lojwa / Enewetak. What A Loss.” 2/18/2015]
  • Buzzard, Lt, Army, S3 Operations, 84th Engineer Battalion, last seen by gfb3 at Enewetak ~1979
  • Cain, SGT, [pl 2/18/2015]
  • Carpentier, SP5, [pl 2/18/2015]
  • Castle, Art, Army, 84th Engineer Battalion, last seen by gfb3 at Hawaii ~1980
  • Cataldo, Joseph, SP4, Army, from Fort Story VA with 309th Transportation (fwd) (prov) attached to A Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, Lojwa [ja 2/18/2015] [Update: Joseph Cataldo is a member of our Facebook Group who has not signed our Survivors Roster. 2/18/2015]
  • Chadwell, Mike, Army, 12B10, B Company, 65th Combat Engineer Battalion, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Enewetak, Lowja-Sep. 1978 -Feb. 1979 Worked at batch plants as a bagger. – last seen by kbb at Lojwa February 1979
  • Cluster, Russell J., SP5, [pl 5/1/1977 travel orders]
  • Cofran, Lee “Butcher”, Navy?, 1979, Lojwa [gcp 10/27/2014]
  • Coles, Dana E., SP5, [pl 5/1/1977 travel orders]
  • Collins, Danny, Army, CPT, C Company Commander, 84th Engineer Battalion, last seen by gfb3 on the internet ~2000 [Update: Dan Collins signed our roster 11/19/2014. He was the C Company Commander of the 84th Engineer Battalion during the beginning of the mission in 1977 and returned as the Lojwa Operations Officer later in the mission.]
  • Corcoran, Timothy, BM3, Navy, ACU-1, Spring – Summer 1977 [rp 1/14/2015]
  • Crissman, Bernard “Bernie” [bm 2/18/2015]
  • Deaton, Ervin, CW2, Army, Motor Officer from Fort Story VA with 309th Transportation (fwd) (prov) attached to A Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, Lojwa [ja 2/18/2015] [dw worked for Chief Deaton at Lojwa]
  • Devault, Joseph, CWO [smr 11/7/2014]
  • Donaldson [ds 2/18/2015]
  • Drapula, Ed [rh 12/29/2014]
  • Fields, Ronald L., SP5, [pl 5/1/1977 travel orders]
  • Foland, Michael, CPT, A Company Commander, 84th Engineer Battalion, arrived late 1979 – 1980 [wok 10/26/2014]
  • Gallager, Jim [rh 12/15/2014]
  • Gallerane, Mark G. “Mad Dog” – Army, 1979, Lojwa [gcp 10/27/2014]
  • Gendron, George, FN, Navy, ACU-1, Spring – Summer 1977 [rp 1/14/2015]
  • Gramazio, Ron J., SP4, [pl 5/1/1977 travel orders]
  • Green, “Cotton Top”, Army, 1st SGT, C Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, (kept his word that if I volunteered to go to Enewetak, I would do drafting work at Enewetak after Cpt Collins wanted me to go to Lojwa. Top Green arranged my transfer to headquarters s3 – gfb3), last seen by gfb3 at Hawaii ~1980
  • Green, Patty [rh 12/15/2014]
  • Groesbeck [mg 2/18/2015]
  • Gruber, Mark, from Ohio, [pl 2/18/2015]
  • Guerella, Miguel [rh 12/29/2014]
  • Haliczer, Douglas “Oak Loaf” – 1979, 43rd Engineer Company, Fort Bliss Texas, last seen 1980 [dc 10/27/2014]
  • Hama, Ray, CW2, Army, from Fort Story VA with 309th Transportation (fwd) (prov) attached to A Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, Lojwa [ja 2/18/2015]
  • Heider, Chief [ds 2/18/2015]
  • Huffman, Eugene “Bruce”, Army, Draftsman, S3 Operations, 84th Engineer Battalion, last seen by gfb3 at Hawaii ~1979
  • Hughes, CPT, B Company, 84th Engineer Battalion [ad 2/18/2015]
  • Jackson, Phillip K., CW2, Army, from Fort Story VA with 309th Transportation (fwd) (prov) attached to A Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, Lojwa [ja 2/18/2015]
  • Jarvis. Timothy Paul – US Army Corps of Engineers, 1977-78, Enewetak Atoll, Reported “deceased” to our family in December, 1978. We were told “he was lost at sea, and his remains were unrecoverable.” However, have always believed he was involved in a radiation accident. 8.) 5′ 10″, blonde hair, blue eyes, his rank was private, promoted to corp at death. He was stationed in HI, just prior to being sent to the Marshall Islands. 9.) I am his younger brother, I was in the 7th grade when he died, now I’m 47. We never received his body. Our family was told by the US Government to stop communication with other families, whose son’s were supposedly lost at sea with my brother. That’s why we never believed his death was the result of a sailing accident. [ci 11/8/2014]
  • Jones, Claude E., PV2, [pl 5/1/1977 travel orders]
  • Julick, David [bm 2/18/2015]
  • Justice, Edward L., SP4, [pl 5/1/1977 travel orders]
  • Kaina, William E., SP4, [pl 5/1/1977 travel orders]
  • Kehe(sp?), Ernest, Army, 84th Engineer Battalion, last seen by gfb3 at Enewetak ~1979
  • Krouse, Frank, Army, Mail Clerk, JTG, last seen by gfb3 at Enewetak ~1979
  • Lang, Ronald W. “Bandit” – Army, 1979, Lojwa [gcp 10/27/2014]
  • Lange, Richard R., SP5, [pl 5/1/1977 travel orders]
  • Lawrence, Robert [db 2/18/2015]
  • Layman, Robynn P., SP4, [pl 5/1/1977 travel orders]
  • Lewis, Army, 84th Engineer Battalion, last seen by gfb3 at Hawaii ~1980
  • Linares, Luis A., PV1, [pl 5/1/1977 travel orders]
  • Martin, Dan (Marty), Army, Lojwa, A Company, 84th Engineer Battalion [sh 10/27/2014]
  • Mastrussi, Joseph, 1LT, [pl 2/18/2015]
  • Mattlab, Wheeler, SSG, last seen 1979 [dc 10/27/2014]
  • McKeon, Tom [mg 2/18/2015]
  • Morgan, Wendell “Mongoose” – Air Force? 1979, Lojwa [gcp 10/27/2014]
  • Morton, Nathaniel E, SSG, [pl 2/18/2015 and 5/1/1977 travel orders]
  • Neel, Gary D. – 1979, 43rd Engineer Company, Fort Bliss, Texas, last seen early 1980’s [dc 10/27/2014]
  • Olson, Brad, SSG, Army, from Fort Story VA with 309th Transportation (fwd) (prov) attached to A Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, Lojwa [ja 2/18/2015]
  • Patrick, Daniel J., SSG, [pl 5/1/1977 travel orders]
  • Pearson, SGT, Army, Squad Leader, B Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, Lojwa [sh 1027/2014]
  • Perry, Robert from Texas [mb 10/26/2014]
  • Pinegar, Ron, SGT, A Co, ran batch plant, stateside unit was 8th EN, 1CD late 1979 – 1980 [wok 10/26/2014]
  • Polito [mg 2/18/2015]
  • Preston, SGT, [pl 2/18/2015]
  • Ramos, Remigio, SP5, [pl 5/1/1977 travel orders]
  • Rendon, Ray, SP4, [pl 5/1/1977 travel orders]
  • Riggs, Gene “Rags” – Army, 1979, Lojwa [gcp 10/27/2014]
  • Ritter, Clarence “Tex” – Army, A Company (prov) 84th Engineer Battalion, Jan 1979 [bm 2/18/2015]
  • Roberts, O.C. “Black Beauty” – Army, 1979, Lojwa [gcp 10/27/2014]
  • Roberson, Harrol L. “Easy Rider” – first name may be Harold – Army, 1979, Lojwa [gcp 10/27/2014]
  • Salcido, Arturo, E-5, Army, Truck driver, 18 wheel flatbed, from El Paso TX, stationed at Schofield Barracks, HI [pm 2/18/2015]
  • Shortt, Terry E., SP4, [pl 5/1/1977 travel orders]
  • Simpson, Bob “Scrapper”, Army, B Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, Arrived and left with gcp (Apr to Oct 79), 62E10 (Heavy Junk Operator), last I knew he returned to his unit in Panama Christmas of 79, We were brothers from different mothers; The picture I posted of me holding a bottle of Bacardi, Bob is the other guy holding a fifth. – last seen by gcp ~1979 [Update: Robert Simpson is a member of our Facebook Group who has not signed our Survivors Roster. 2/18/2015]
  • Singer, SSG, Army, Lojwa, Platoon SGT, B Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, Lojwa [sh 10/27/2014]
  • Skantz, Swen I., SP5, [pl 5/1/1977 travel orders]
  • Smally, Roy – CPT [bm 2/18/2015]
  • Smith, Leonard G, SSG, [pl 5/1/1977 travel orders]
  • Soliz, Juan, SP4, Army, 1st Platoon, B Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, from Texas [dr 2/18/2015]
  • Spooner, John A. – Navy, 1979, Lojwa [gcp 10/27/2014]
  • Stafanco, Richard, (5th Grp SF) Army, Lojwa B Company, 84th Engineer Battalion [sh 10/27/2014]
  • Statton, John “Papa” [rh 12/29/2014]
  • Stein, Lee, CWO [smr 11/7/2014]
  • Suchosky, John A., SSG, [pl 2/18/2015 and 5/1/1977 travel orders]
  • Suzzo, Frank, unknown branch, last known location: Myrtle Beach, SC – Army, 1979, Lojwa [gcp 10/27/2014]
  • Todd, John C., SP5, [pl 5/1/1977 travel orders]
  • Tracey, Sean II “Sleeper” – Medic, Fort Hood, Texas – Army, 1979, Lojwa [gcp 10/27/2014]
  • Tucker, Col, Army, Commander, 84th Engineer Battalion, last seen by gfb3 at Enewetak ~1978
  • Ulrigg, Ron “Warrior”, Killeen, Texas – Army, 1979, Lojwa [gcp 10/27/2014]
  • Verdugo, first name unknown, 43rd Engineer Company, Fort Bliss, Texas [dc 10/27/2014]
  • Wagner, Matthew J., SP5, [pl 2/18/2015 and 5/1/1977 travel orders]
  • Walker, Ken, Army, Administration, JTG, (gfb3 enjoyed many scuba dives with Ken – at least one involved sharks), last seen by gfb3 at Enewetak ~1979
  • Warren, SSG, Army, from Fort Story VA with 309th Transportation (fwd) (prov) attached to A Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, Lojwa [ja 2/18/2015]
  • Wieck, Frank E. II, PSG, [pl 5/1/1977 travel orders]
  • Williams, Brian C., SP4, [pl 5/1/1977 travel orders]
  • Wolfe, first name unknown [dc 10/27/2014]
  • Yoakum. Marc “Mammy” – Army, 1979, Lojwa [gcp 10/27/2014]
  • Zoleo, SN, Navy, ACU-1, Spring – Summer 1977 [rp 1/14/2015]

The above information was provided by these fine veterans who accepted the challenge to participate in our Search and Rescue Mission: Aaron Ducote (ad), Brian Mummert (bm), Charles Ikner (ci), SGM David Breitbach (db), Daniel Cisneros (dc), Daniel Rose (dr), Dennis Stuart (ds), David White (dw), Gary Pulis (gcp), Girard Bolton (gfb3), Kevin Bartlett (kbb), James Armitage (ja), Michael Boyd (mb), Mark Goodman (mg), Pete Moreno (pm), Roy Hampton Jr (rh), Richard Phillips (rp), Steve “Harry” Harrison (sh), Steven Rebbe (sf), and Wm. O. Keller (wok).

It is our hope to find as many of the 8,000+ participants of the atomic cleanup mission as possible.

You too can fill out as much of the information requested in the form below. No worries if you only remember partial info. We can add your info to others who accept this mission.

Within a short time, we should have an overabundance of information. Then the real work begins.

Decide now to help find every “Lojwa Animal”, “Runit Rat”, “Medren Rat”, etc.. you remember from “The Rock” or more commonly known as Enewetak Atoll.

Your Mission Continues Now.

We urge our supporters to encourage their politicians to create 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.

One thought on “Search and Rescue Mission – Day 119”

  1. MY NAME IS RICHAED DA1NIEL ROMOLO I SPENT 6 MONTHS THERE I WAS 51R WITh 84th CAME FROM Bco 84th eng 1sgt crews and Cpt Ono I aim 51R I was put with Cco and worked electrical and any thing else I could help with.

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