July 1, 2017 – Seventy-one years to the day after the Test Able atomic bomb test at the Bikini Atoll, former USS Fall River shipmates Bill McGee and Paul Dowling reconnected by telephone, thanks to Paul Dowling’s daughter, Paula. “My dad was at Operation CROSSROADS in 1946,” wrote Paula in an email to Bill in May. “Many years later, he had a ballcap embroidered with the USS Fall River on it, hoping, when he traveled, another shipmate might see his cap and they would reconnect. When I found your book Operation Crossroads – Lest We Forget! on Amazon, I knew I wanted a copy for my dad – signed by you.”
Paula and I exchanged emails, and set up a phone call for the two atomic veterans on July 1, the 71st anniversary date of Test Able.
Flashback to 1 July 1946, 0859 Bikini time. Gunner’s Mates Paul Dowling and Bill McGee knelt on the deck of the heavy cruiser, USS Fall River (CA-131), faced away from the 95 target vessels strategically positioned in the Bikini Lagoon, closed their eyes tightly, covered their eyes with bended arm against their faces, and awaited the explosion of a 23 kiloton TNT atomic bomb to be released from a Superfortress B-29 flying above the target fleet. This was the first postwar atomic bomb test, code-named Test Able. The world awaited anxiously by their radios. No one knew what to expect.
Paul Dowling was a Fourth Division trigger man for the 5″-38, fast firing guns. “The Fall River was about ten miles from the blast and I remember feeling the heat of the explosion,” recalled Mr. Dowling, who believes he may have spotted himself in a photo on page 61 of the book…the photo of Fall River shipmates observing the gigantic cloud from Test Able after the order “Carry on” was announced over the loudspeaker.
Bill McGee was in the Sixth Division, responsible for manning the 40-mm antiaircraft guns. Bill recalled, “Even though my eyes were covered and my back was to the blast, I still saw a flash of light. I’ve wondered if my macular degeneration later in life was caused by exposure to radiation, but no doctor has ever wanted to discuss it.”
Today, the number of Operation Crossroads atomic veterans is dwindling, but their bond of having a front row seat at one of the world’s most significant events remains as strong as ever.
And the irony is not lost on these atomic vets from 71 years ago that nuclear weapons are still in the headlines today.

Paul Dowling and his wife, Betty, visit all that remains of the once-mighty USS Fall River, on display at Battleship Cove, Fall River, Mass. (Courtesy Paula Dowling)
How wonderful that my Uncle Bill and Paul Dowling were able to reconnect after these years . . . and on the anniversary of Operation Crossroads. What a great tribute to the important work that you accomplished in chronicling this important part of our history. Your blog post is masterfully designed. Kudos!
Sandra, what a great posting! Love the photos and short narrative of these two young, brave sailors. Visually very pleasing. 👍
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Thank you, Ann Marie … What do you think about a short narrative dedicated to your mother and the women who served in the U.S. Marines in WWII? -Sandra
Wow! Such an amazing happenstance to have reconnected with a mate on the USS Fall River 71 years later! For you guys, Bill & Paul, (thanks to Paula & Sandra) … you must have experienced amazing feelings of awe, appreciation … and perhaps a sense of comfort/confirmation? … at just being made suddenly aware that your experience was ‘shared’! SO happy your phone call reconnection worked out today for you two guys! A special & personal reminder of our upcoming celebration of July 4th. Thanks! ð¤ðºð¸ Hugs, Susie
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Thank you, Susan … Having been married to a military man, as you were, you have a special understanding of these brave men. -Sandra