Oral History Interview with Lincoln Grahlfs, May 11, 2012
Creation Information
Context
Audiences
We've identified this text as a primary source within our collections. Researchers, educators, and students may find this text useful in their work.
Contact Us
Subjects
Related Items
Oral History Interview with Lincoln Grahlfs, May 11, 2012 (Sound)
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lincoln Grahlfs. Grahlfs joined the Navy in October 1942 after working at Grumman. Upon completion of boot camp, quartermaster’s school, and visual communications training, he deployed to the Pacific aboard the USS Undaunted (ATA-199). He towed the USS Hugh W. Hadley (DD-774) from Kerama Retto to the States, traveling through a typhoon; after the storm cleared, the tow line parted nine times. After the war, his tug was busy helping ships that overestimated their capabilities in a hurry to get home. He was transferred to the USS ATR-40 for the Bikini atomic bomb testing, where he was 10 miles from the target during the detonations. His salvage unit was ordered to spend more than what was thought to be a safe amount of time aboard the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38), without safety equipment, operating pumps to keep it afloat. Grahlfs later based his dissertation on interviews with veterans who had been exposed to nuclear weapons testing; he found that although more than half reported illness due to radiation exposure, the military never recognized their claims. When Grahlfs returned to the States, he was treated for rare symptoms that fascinated military doctors. As recently as 2011, Grahlfs was urged by a radiation oncologist to file a claim with the VA.
Oral History Interview with Lincoln Grahlfs, May 11, 2012 - ark:/67531/metapth1610000
Oral History Interview with Lincoln Grahlfs, May 11, 2012, text, May 11, 2012; Fredericksburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1606194/: accessed June 4, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation.