undated (AFHRA);
146 there had been at least twenty-eight nuclear accidents: “Narrative Summaries of Accidents Involving U.S. Nuclear Weapons 1950–1980,” undated (NNSA, FOIA). Accident summaries are paraphrased from this document.
147 a public debate: For a historical discussion of the nuclear weapons safety issue, see Joel Larus,
147 Even President Kennedy grew worried: Larus,
147 “When Air Force experts rushed”: Quoted in ibid., pp. 93–94.
148
148 18,340 KC-135 tankers:
148 a cleanup plan called “Moist Mop”: Ibid., pp. 138–139.
149 Any men plowing, scraping: Ibid., pp. 156–157.
149 Robert Finkel, who spent: Robert Finkel interview, April 4, 2007.
149 The Navy regularly sampled the water: Red Moody interview, November 7, 2006; Commander Task Group 65.3, memo to Commander Task Force 65, “Report of Inshore Search,” March 13, 1966, p. 9.
149 Gaylord White, one of the divers: Gaylord White interview, March 3, 2007.
149 Henry Engelhardt, the commander: Author’s interview with Henry “Bud” Engelhardt, May 17, 2006. Also see
150 When Bud White’s team first mapped:
150 The Air Force maintains:
150 The vegetation problem: Flora Lewis, interview with Alton “Bud” White, undated (AFHRA);
151 This left the question: The soil problem is discussed in Flora Lewis,interview with Alton “Bud” White, undated (AFHRA); author’s interview with Jack Howard, April 3, 2007;
151 Spanish and American officials: The disposal of the aircraft wreckage is discussed in
151 “lingering recriminations”:
152 To prepare the dirt: Ibid., p. 173.
152 with lawyers interviewing about twenty people: Ibid., p. 391.
152 The claims work was as complicated: The background on claims comes from Joe Ramirez interviews, January 27, 2007, and April 27, 2007; and
152 when lawyers consulted the owners’ registry:
152 Four claimants: Ibid., p. 389, footnote.
155 Ambassador Duke stood: The description of Duke’s solo swim and the quotes are from “US Envoy Swims in Mediterranean,” CBS News, March 9, 1966.
156 the U.S. government had finally admitted:
156 For weeks, the U.S. and Spanish governments: Arguments over the release of information are discussed in
157 various government agencies began stumbling:
157 “The news is now official”: “The Missing H-Bomb,”
157 “One U.S. official insisted”: “Swimming Party,”
157 Together, Ambassador Duke and Manuel Fraga Iribarne: Sources differ over who actually came up with the idea for the swim. In an oral history, Duke said the idea was his and Fraga agreed to the plan reluctantly, thinking it undignified for a government official to splash around in bathing trunks. General Spanish opinion holds that the idea was Fraga’s and Duke finally agreed only to avoid being shown up. In recent interviews, Fraga and Robin Duke say the idea was mutual. They also said that it was mutually agreed that Robin Duke
157 “If I could take my children”: Angier Biddle Duke, Living History interview, October 24, 1990, p. 18.
157 “aquatic diplomacy”: The Kalb quotes come from “US Envoy Swims in Mediterranean,” CBS News, March 9, 1966.
157 Something went awry: The story of the second swim comes primarily from author’s interview with Timothy Towell, January 8, 2007, and Szulc,
158 “The humble of Palomares”: Signs quoted in “Officials Take Cold Dip to Deny H-Bomb Hazard,”
158 “It was with confidence and pleasure”: Angier Biddle Duke, radio interview with Jay Rutherfurd (Duke).
159 An Associated Press photo: Tad Szulc, “U.S. Envoy Swims Where H-Bomb Fell,”
159 “We think of our diplomats”:
159 “Duke’s ‘Swim-in’”: Jay Rutherfurd, “Duke’s ‘Swim-in’ for Spanish Tourism Best Water Show since Aquacade,”
159 “I’m glad your bathing suit”: Letter, Jack Valenti to Angier Biddle Duke, March 9,
