Comments on: James Shelby Arrigona: Latter-day Saint on Bikini Atoll

By: Mark B.

Mark B. — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 03:18:37 +0000

Yeah, Ardis, I saw that same Wikipedia article, and I figured the Club was the “recreation area” Bro Arrigona referred to.

But the first tests did occur in summer 1946–one at an altitude of about 500 feet, on July 1, and another about 90 feet underwater.

Most of the preparation on site consisted of building structures and placing equipment (tanks, other vehicles, naval vessels) in the area to measure the effects of the blast on them.

They were, by the way, the first atomic bombs exploded after the two in Japan in August 1945.

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:46:12 +0000

My vast study of the history of Bikini consists chiefly of reading one Wikipedia article, which includes the line “twenty-three nuclear devices were detonated at Bikini Atoll, beginning with the Operation Crossroads series in July 1946″ — which I interpreted to mean that the first blast occurred in July. Perhaps, though, that July date corresponds with preparations for the first blast (preparing a test site, setting up monitors, or whatever one does when one plays around with Armageddon). I don’t know, and input from those who do is welcomed.

That article, incidentally, has this reference that would seem to tie into Bro. Arrigon’as letter: “The Cross Spikes Club was an improvised bar and hangout created by servicemen on Bikini Island between June and September 1946 during the preparation for Operation Crossroads. The “club” was little more than a small open air building that served alcohol to servicemen and provided outdoor entertainment, including a ping pong table.”

Kim, delighted to hear from someone who knew Bro. Arrigona!

By: Mark B.

Mark B. — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:18:11 +0000

The implication is that the group was meeting on Bikini after the bomb tests had begun. Is that really true? I realize that much less was known about the dangers of radioactivity in 1946, but it still seems surprising that anyone would have been allowed that close to the test site so soon afterwards.

And, you slipped and typed Bimini in the penultimate paragraph. The only excitement there came later, when Congressman Adam Clayton Powell started hanging out there.

By: Kim Golightly

Kim Golightly — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:46:16 +0000

Wow. My much admired mission president (BBM, 1977-79) speaking to us out of the ground, in his ernest and sensitive manner. Thanks for sharing this. You should write his biography.