Living with a Secret Life
 
My Father, “The chief” as I most often 
 heard him referred to, had a ‘Top Secret’ 
Clearance & later received Atomic Energy Commissions “Queen’s Clearance” prior to the Cold War Atomic Proving Grounds Tests. His records show, so far, that he was at least at 3 Series of Atomic tests as a Communications Officer on the Fleet Command ship. Part of Joint Task 
Force 7 for these Operations on the U.S.S. ESTES from 1951-1959, this ship was uniquely customized for these Operations and carried the highest level scientists, dignitaries, press, film crews and the triggering for the nuclear tests. 
His work has only recently been declassified. He took his stories and experience to the grave and left me with a 
wickedly unique experience of the world. The more I learn, 
the more I realized I lived a life of having never really known just how this had all impacted him or them as a couple. 
It certainly influenced how they chose to infuse me with their new realities. He had the look, the style and the grace of a commanding officer. Always with at least one briefcase in hand. 
The only thing missing in this photo is his ever present sunglasses. His wife was his cohort and playful partner remained loyal and supportive even when the odds were 
against them.Atomic%20Operations.htmlU.S.S.%20ESTES.htmlshapeimage_2_link_0shapeimage_2_link_1
TOP SECRET
Chief Moore spent almost two years at the 
 Atomic Energy Commissions facility at Oak Ridge, TN in preparing for Pacific Proving Grounds Operations IVY, CASTLE & REDWING 
 aboard a newly recommissioned ship prepared specifically for Naval Fleet Command, Joint Task Force 7. 
A career cryptographer specialist (decoding spy communication & intellegence) and a highly trained communications operator, he was groomed to implement and maintain the custom configuration for this ship. As best I can tell, he was probably with his ship for up to 62 blasts. Only his official military records can confirm more than 
the 24 I have documents on. AEC%20Oak%20Ridge.htmlshapeimage_4_link_0
DeClassified Log Book National 
Defense Korean
Service American Defense Asian Pacific
Campaign World War II
Victory Medal American Campaign 1941-1945 Second Award 1943 From his handwritten log I tracked his early career from 1939 to 1952, the year he went stealth with Joint Task Force 7. From there I tracked his movements and assignments via his commendations, certificates & awards until his separation from service in 1969.
© 2008 Victoria Moore  |  All copyrights are reserved.
A Naval “Chief” Defined There are many ratings and ranks in a U.S. Naval Force; one rate stands out especially because it’s tried and true. The year 1893 was the origin of the modern Navy Chief. Conformity of orders changed abruptly and the real backbone of the Navy was created at last, the Chief Petty Officer. A disciplinarian yes, but also a comrade and shipmate; with special expertise and 
know-how tied to a crew’s fate. The Chief expects trust, loyalty and especially compliance; for they know that is necessary to create an alliance. A Navy Chief stands out symbolically, alone or in a crowd; their bearing is usually exceptional, confident and proud. When there are problems in a task a Chief will find a way. Specialists look to their Chief to get them through the day. Click to open The Chief’s Personal Scrap Book Not Shown: Navy Occupation with Asia Clasp Atomic Home Page Joint Task Force 7
Command Ship His
Secret
Life The Atomic Era Off-shore
Atomic Operations SInce his records had been sealed in his lifetime and beyond, I had never seen many of these photographs, and have scoured family albums to pull dates and locations from the backs of photos to help re-create timelines. This photo in particular came as a surprise from an online resource at the U.S.S. Estes website. It is from the ships book that was published one year after I was born.