AEC mushroom cloud patch, maybe US Navy related

[Siamundo]

This was with some US Navy patrol squadron patches. Found a couple of different AEC abbreviations-Aviation Electronics Mate, Atomic Energy Commission, so not sure exactl what it is. Don't know if the letter C refers to a Navy Division or School. The small dice on the letter C also may hold a clue. The numbers 1, 3, and 5 show.

[Salvage Sailor]

Found this on the Worthpoint website (mentions Bob's Vintage Productions in the description)

Probably not accurate but it may lead to a USAF positive ID from the Zoomie members.

 

1960's USAF 135th AEC Nuke Squadron Patch

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

I'm thinking that this may be related to the Nuclear Testing program 'shots' in the 1950's

 

There are three (3) "135th" units I've identified that were involved with the AEC program

 

• 135th Radiological Warfare ENG
• Operation TUMBLER-SNAPPER 1952 (Shot Able, Baker & Charlie, etc) i.e. quite possibly denoted by the "C" on the patch

 

Also of note on the 'Charlie' shot

EXTRACT - Shot CHARLIE, an airdropped nuclear device, was detonated with a yield of 31 kilotons at 0930 hours on 22 April 1952 about 3,500 feet over Area 7 of Yucca Flat. About one hour after the shot, the initial survey showed that radiation intensities of 0.01 R/h or more were confined within 1,000 meters of ground zero. As part of Exercise Desert Rock IV, the armed services fielded a troop observer program with 535 participants and a tactical troop maneuver with about 1,675 participants.

 

The tactical maneuver at Shot CHARLIE was conducted by the following units: Army

* 2nd Battalion, 504th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

* Company B, 167th Infantry Regiment, 31st Infantry Division, Camp Atterbury, Indiana

* Company C, 135th Infantry Regiment, 47th Infantry Division, Fort Rucker, Alabama

 

• 135th Ordnance Ballistic and Technical Service Detachment, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
• Operation UPSHOT-KNOTHOLE 1953

 

[Salvage Sailor]

...another interesting fact in regard to Charlie Company, 135th Infantry - They were a Provisional Ranger Group & the Agressor Maneuver Force for Shot Charlie.  (i.e. in the observation open trench and then in the maneuver area after the shot).

 

 

Extract from the Ranger Hall of Fame website

Major WILLIAM MUSEGADES

Major William Musegades is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for outstanding leadership and service in both his military and civilian careers. As one of Darby’s Originals he served in the 1st & 3rd Battalions. He participated in five World War II campaigns: Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily, Naples-Foggia, and Anzio. He so distinguished himself as a leader in combat that he was awarded one of few battlefield commissions promoted from First Sergeant to 2nd Lieutenant upon appointment by Lieutenant General Mark Clark. As 2nd Lieutenant, he was awarded a silver star for outstanding gallantry and leadership when he led a small band of Rangers far outnumbered by the enemy, under constant grenade and machine gun fire securing Hill 950 near San Pietro, Italy. He was later wounded on the Anzio Beachhead and returned to the states via hospital ship receiving a purple heart and a bronze star for meritorious achievement.

 

Returning to civilian life at war’s end he rejoined the Minnesota Army National Guard serving 20 years. He was elected Martin Count Sheriff in November 1950, only to be recalled to active duty with the US entry into Korea in January 1951. Placing his deputy in charge, he served at Camp Rucker, Alabama as Commanding Officer of Charlie Company, 135th Infantry Regiment, 47th Infantry Division, a provisional Ranger Group. He trained then led his company in participation of Operation Tumbler/Snapper (third of a series of historical nuclear bomb tests at Desert Sands, Nevada, 1952). He received two letters of commendation for his extraordinary leadership in training and his company’s outstanding performance in this operation.

 

His civil service as undefeated county Sheriff spanned 20 years, terminated only by his untimely death. He was known for his compassion and respect toward offenders and his active service in the rehabilitation of juveniles. His actions were noticed on many levels. In 1961 he was appointed by the Governor to the Law Enforcement Detention Committee of the Governor’s Council of children and Youth. Upon his untimely death in 1971, he was memorialized at Camp Ripley with a rifle field name in his honor, his legacy in the Court of Honors for outstanding service to country.

 

Operation TUMBLER-SNAPPER - Fact Sheet

 

Shots ABLE, BAKER, CHARLIE, and DOG, The First Tests of the TUMBLER-SNAPPER series

including information on the 'Aggressor Force', Charlie Company, 135th Infantry

 

 

[Siamundo]

Wow, that is a real treasure trove of information you were able to comppile Salvage Sailor! I really do appreciate you  taking the time to pull it all together nice and neat. It definitely looks like this could be what it is. Even though it was with Navy patches I had wonderered if it might be army, but I was thinking along the lines of engineers or artillery maybe-had nothing to guide me in that direction, have just seen these symbols on other patches from those branches. Thanks again!