Operation Buster/Jangle 1951 U.S. Department of Defense:
Exercise Desert Rock 'In 1951, the Army, working with the Atomic
Energy Commission, carried out the Desert Rock Exercises, an
experiment to "dispel much of the fear and uncertainty
surrounding atomic radiation and the effects of gamma and
x-rays." The following is a recorded interview between a
sergeant and a training officer prior to a blast: Question. "How
many of your men would volunteer to go up and be in the
foxholes?" (one-half mile from ground zero). Answer. "I guess
about half a dozen." Question. "It's quite a loud noise when
that bomb goes off ... would it do them any harm?" Answer. "No
sir, not the noise, no." Question. "How about the radiation? Do
you think there is much danger?" Answer. "Radiation is the least
of their worries that the men are thinking about." Question. "I
think most thought radiation was the greatest danger, didn't
they? Where did they learn differently?" Answer. "They were,
prior to our instructions here. We received a ver