WWII Navy Operation Crossroads Bikini Atoll Japanese Cruiser Sakawa Veteran Tray

Wonderful & Historic Original WWII Navy Joint Operation Crossroads Bikini Atoll July 1946 Able & Baker Shots to Test Nuclear Bombs Against a Naval Target Fleet - Atomic Veteran Lyold M. Auchenbach Seaman 2nd Class (b. 23 Apr 1927 - d. Oct 3 2018)  Served Aboard Japanese Cruiser Sakawa transferring from USS Arikara AT-98 which helped to relocated the ship to the Lagoon at Bikini Atoll - the Japanese Cruiser was Sunk in the Lagoon on July 2 1946 during the Airburst shot "Able" - this exquisite memento of the test is a Participation Certificate (unusual variation) Featuring the Japanese Cruiser Sakawa, with Lyold Auchenbach S/2c Ex-Japanese Cruiser Light Sakawa flanked by Atomic Bomb Experiment Bikini Atoll 1946 and his Ribbons: American Campaign, Asiatic Pacific Campaign, and World War Two Victory - Participation Certificate Art Turned into a Framed Tray / Wall Art Measurs 15 x 22 Inches and has picture hanging wire to the reverse; Overall Good Condition as Photographed with wear and some staining to the paper as seen; A Good Addition to Any Period Bikini Atoll Operation Crossroads Collection, a Nice Candidate for Display in an Office or Library  - Recent Estate Acquisition & Presented as Acquired, Very Rare - Warrants Further Research

"Operation Crossroads began with the first blast (Test Able), an air burst on 1 July; Sakawa was filled with cages containing various animals to be tested for radiation effects. Ground zero was 450 meters (490 yd) above and slightly to starboard of Sakawa's stern. The blast set the ship afire and its force crushed her superstructure aft of her bridge, damaged her hull and she began taking on water. After the test, Sakawa was slightly down by the stern and had a slight list to port. The flooding progressively worsened overnight, and the following morning saw her even more settled by the stern and with a greater list. The tugboat USS Achomawi tried to beach the cruiser to prevent her from sinking, but failed as Sakawa started sinking by the stern almost as soon as towing began. Achomawi had to cut the tow cable to prevent herself from being dragged under. Sakawa sank at 11°37′N 165°29′E in about 200 feet (61 m) of water. The second weapons test, Baker, was an underwater shot on 25 July about 500 feet (150 m) away from the sunken Sakawa. It blew most of the remaining forward superstructure off the ship and further damaged the wreck. Sakawa is mostly upright on the sandy bottom, but there is very little surviving aft of the forward gun turrets." (wiki)

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