“Redwing was a nuclear test series in the Marshal Islands. We moved barges and witnessed around 15 nuclear explosions. To witness and see them in the morning was probably one of the most memorable things to see. We were within 30 miles of the nuclear bombs going off.”
-Interior Communications Electrician Second Class Petty Officer Richard B. Beaver, USN
The United States Navy Memorial Stories of Service Program is honored to announce that the March 2017 story of the month has been selected to honor the crew of the USS Somerset LPD 25.
The United States Navy Memorial Stories of Service Program is honored to announce the March 2018 story of the month has been selected to recognize the service of United States Navy Veteran, Interior Communications Electrician Second Class Petty Officer Richard B. Beaver. The United States Navy Memorial Stories of Service Program was privileged to interview Second Class Petty Officer Richard B. Beaver at the USS Abnaki ATF-96 Reunion in Baltimore Maryland in the fall of 2017.
Second Class Petty Officer Richard B. Beaver joined the United States Navy at the age of 17 in 1954. Upon graduation from Boot Camp at Great Lakes, Beaver attended Interior Communications Electrician School where he would learn valuable skills. While at Interior Communications Electrician School, Beaver scored second in the class and had his choice of available duty stations. Beaver remarked, “I was able to choose the Abnaki, ATF 96 as my ship, because I had first choice, the first man was taking submarine duty…I went to catch my ship in the Philippines and went to various places in the Pacific.” At the onset of the Cold War, Petty Officer Second Class Beaver spoke of interactions with the Soviet Navy off the shores of Occupied Japan. While serving on the USS Abnaki, a Fleet Ocean Tug, Beaver remarked, “We towed some World War Two Lend Lease ships back from Russia… after they returned them to us at Northern Japan.
From Japan, the USS Abnaki would sail to Hawaii and tow various ships, barges, and targets throughout the Central Pacific.After arriving at Pearl Harbor, the USS Abnaki would receive new orders and report to the Marshal Islands and participate in Operation Redwing from May to July of 1956. Beaver shared, “Redwing was a nuclear test series in the Marshal Islands. We moved barges and witnessed around 15 nuclear explosions. To witness and see them in the morning was probably one of the most memorable things to see. We were within 30 miles of the nuclear bombs going off.” He shared vivid memories of observing the nuclear tests and its impact on the surrounding area. While reflecting on the tests, he recalled, “When we got the order to go out, we would circle about 30 miles away while the countdown started. We had to close all the hatches for a minute, and after a minute we could go out and look at the blasts.” Beaver shared unique memories about his service on the USS Abnaki during pivotal moments of the Cold War.
Part One Summary of Service in the Navy 1954 to 1957
Part Three Joining the Crew of the USS Abnaki ATF 96
Part Two Joining the Navy and Attending Interior Electrician and Communication School
Part Four Interactions with the Soviet Navy and Memories of the USS Abnaki
The United States Navy Memorial honors United States Navy Veteran, Interior Communications Electrician Second Class Petty Officer Richard B. Beaver, featured within this series titled, Stories of Service, Story of the Month. Each month, this series honors a Veteran’s story recorded by the Stories of Service Program at the Navy Memorial. To learn more about this story and to explore the Navy Memorial archive, visit the Navy Memorial Stories of Service site at https://www.navymemorial.org/stories-of-service.