Tribute to Atomic Veteran Army Private G. Weythman

Tribute to Atomic Veteran Army Private G. Weythman: The Strength Behind the Crane

Rank: Private (E-2)

Branch: Army

Role/Job: 62F Crane Operator

Service Location: Lojwa, Janet Island, Enewetak Atoll

Private G. Weythman served as a Crane Operator with the 84th Engineer Battalion during the Enewetak Atoll Atomic Debris Cleanup Mission from September 1978 to March 1979. His role, though largely unrecognized by the public, was pivotal in managing the heavy lifting and precise maneuvering required in one of the most dangerous cleanup operations in history.

Operating on Janet Island and around the Lojwa base, PVT Weythman worked closely with the crew responsible for offloading Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo (LARCs) from the barges in the lagoon. These amphibious vehicles were essential in transporting both personnel and heavy equipment across the contaminated atoll. His expertise with the crane helped ensure that vital equipment could be moved efficiently and safely, even in the challenging and hazardous conditions of a nuclear cleanup site.

Despite his E-2 rank, Weythman’s contributions were integral to the mission's success. His work as a crane operator placed him in constant proximity to radioactive materials, but his commitment to his job never wavered. Whether it was offloading equipment or maneuvering cranes on Janet Island, he exemplified the dedication and skill that the mission required.

Private Weythman represents the countless unsung heroes of the Enewetak Atoll Cleanup Mission, whose contributions may have gone unnoticed but were essential to ensuring the mission's success. His work in operating heavy machinery in dangerous conditions helped lay the foundation for the safe removal and containment of nuclear debris. His strength behind the crane was a vital element in an operation that sought to restore a sense of safety to a land marred by nuclear devastation.

Private Weythman’s story is a tribute to the labor, perseverance, and quiet heroism of those who took on this mission with the goal of making the world safer for future generations. His role in the Enewetak Atoll mission demonstrates the importance of every serviceman's contribution, no matter their rank or station.