[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 129 (Thursday, October 6, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING TWO NAVY VETERANS FROM COLORADO

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MARILYN N. MUSGRAVE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 2005

  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor two veterans I know 
personally from my hometown of Fort Morgan, Colorado. Bob ``Pete'' 
Hobbs and Dominick Cardoza. I admire these two gentlemen for their 
service in the Navy, and their devotion to their families and 
community.
  For 2 years, from 1954 to 1956, Pete and Dominick served together in 
the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Badoeng Strait, CVE 116. Both were 
assigned to the Second Division. Pete was on the deck and Dominick was 
in the Captain's Gig. It was during this time their friendship was 
forged, spending time at sea and taking part in a variety of military 
exercises.
  They were also assigned to a gun crew that carried the responsibility 
of frequent firing exercises on a 40 mm gun. Because of these drills 
Dominick and Pete both suffer from tinnitus.
  The most noteworthy of drills took place in 1956 while the Badoeng 
Strait operated around the Marshall Islands in the South Pacific during 
Operation Redwing. During these operations, Pete and Dominick were part 
of the crew that remained on the ship's deck during ``Test Series of 
Atomic Weapons Devices.'' In the distance, H-bombs were exploded and 
this ship and the crew were subjected to the long range effects of the 
blasts, on numerous occasions.
  The sailors were simply told not to look at the blast and to turn 
their backs. They were exposed to ionizing radiation. Afterwards the 
crew was checked for radiation and required to take a salt water bath. 
They were required to remove their clothes before entering the lower 
decks of the boat, and their garments were destroyed because of the 
radiation. The ship itself was scrubbed with Tide detergent.
  They were told that the worst possible effect of the radiation was 
sterilization, nothing else!
  In 1957, the Badoeng Strait was put out of commission in Bremerton, 
Washington. During the decommissioning process, Dominick and Pete were 
assigned to the lower deck for maintenance. They used air hammers to 
chip the paint from the decks and bulkheads. They were given no ear 
protection and, as a result, they both suffer from hearing loss. They 
were also exposed to asbestos, which covered much of the ship.
  Afterwards, Dominick Cardoza was assigned to the USS Lexington, CVA 
16, an aircraft carrier. Pete Hobbs was assigned to the USS Vega, AF 
59, a supply ship.
  I am touched by the story of Pete's and Dominick's service and 
sacrifice. As a direct result of the elements they were exposed to, 
both men are suffering from serious health complications. Pete has 
thyroid cancer and Dominick has other personal health problems.
  Despite their enormous personal challenges, I find these men to be 
very uplifting and encouraging. They remain good friends today and live 
in Fort Morgan, Colorado. In addition, their wives Chris Hobbs and Sue 
Cardoza deserve respect and admiration for supporting their husbands.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor these two veterans who served our 
country with such distinctions. They are heroes that walk among us. I 
ask my colleagues in Congress to recognize their work and their 
sacrifices on behalf of our Nation, as well as the joy for life they 
have to this day.
  May God bless all of our precious veterans and may he continue to 
bless this great Nation.

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