Raynors HCA 2018-10
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/20/2018
A seven piece grouping put together in a mat. The pieces include; (1). Letter home, June 29, Bikini Atoll, 1pp., written by Richard W. Zajicek, signed “Bill”. In part, “Well we pull out tomorrow until the A. Bomb goes off. ... This letter I’m writing you is an “Able” day letter! So keep this as a souvenir. It is very few people who will receive one of these..” (He referencing the First test, code named Abel.) (2) The original air mail envelope mailed to his parents with a cancellation, “U.S, Navy Fleet Post Office, Jul 1 AM, 1946, Atomic Bomb Test, Bikini Atoll.” (3). Participation card issued to Zajicek, “Joint Task Force One, Atomic Bomb Test ... has participated in OPERATION CROSSROADS...” signed by the commander and a printed signature Vice Admiral. (4). A printed bill, “USA USN, Short Snorter, ATOMIC 1”. (5) Order of Golden Dragon certification card issued to Zajicek. (6) US Navy Immunization Record card. (7) Artwork and photo “Operation Crossroads, Richard Zajicek, USS Palmyra” with photo of the Palmyra. An important and complete collection of the early Atomic Bomb Testings. Operation Crossroads was a pair of nuclear weapon tests conducted by the United States at Bikini Atoll in mid-1946. They were the first nuclear weapon tests since Trinity in July 1945, and the first detonations of nuclear devices since the atomic bombing of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. The purpose of the tests was to investigate the effect of nuclear weapons on warships. The first test was Able. The bomb was named Gilda after Rita Hayworth's character in the 1946 film Gilda, and was dropped from the B-29 Superfortress Dave's Dream of the 509th Bombardment Group on July 1, 1946. It detonated 520 feet (158 m) above the target fleet and caused less than the expected amount of ship damage because it missed its aim point by 2,130 feet Palmyra then became part of TU 1.2.7, the salvage unit for Operation Crossroads. She arrived at Bikini Atoll in May 1946 and participated in preparations for the tests. After the nuclear tests were completed. She helped the salvage operations.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.