Cover: An A-6 Intruder, a carrier-based medium attack, all-weather bomber, and his
wingman streak away from the blast of a nuclear weapon dropped on target.
(An original watercolor painting, by Jim Little)
BROTHERHOOD of DOOM:
Memoirs of a Navy Nuclear Weaponsman by
by
Jim Little
BROTHERHOOD of DOOM provides a look inside a national program
that was shrouded in secrecy, during the cold war. The book details the
dedication and patriotism of a small group of sailors that were denied much
of the liberty, and freedoms their fellow citizens enjoyed, to insure the
survival of America in the event of a nuclear war. Emphasized throughout
the book is the extraordinary effort by nuclear weaponsmen to handle and
maintain these weapons of mass destruction with safety, and to continually
strive for perfection. The book is an effort to honor the many outstanding,
and colorful sailors he served with for thirty years, and to educate the
American public about a national program that little is known about, a
program all citizens should be thankful for. The job of navy nuclear
weaponsman no longer exists, and BROTHERHOOD of DOOM is an
attempt to preserve this important story of the American military. The book
also details a seventeen-year-old navy enlistee’s journey in the navy from the
time of President Eisenhower’s administration, to that of President
George H. Bush, and the many personality changes our nation and the U.S.
Navy went through during this time.
BOOK DEDICATION: To LTJG Douglas M. Webster, VA-56, A-4,
Skyhawk pilot who gave his life for his country, on December 5, 1965,
while insuring readiness for nuclear war. To my forty-two shipmates
listed within these pages who lost their lives serving their country. I was
honored to have served with these heroes—may they never be forgotten.
CWO4 James S. Little, U.S. Navy-Retired
(circa. 1990)
James (Jim) Little was born during the early years of World BROTHERHOOD of DOOM: Memoirs of a Navy Nuclear Weaponsman,
details his naval career, which began with navy boot camp, an assignment
aboard a hospital ship, and then schooling in Great Lakes, Illinois and, New
Mexico. He was involved in the Cuban Missile Blockade, and the Gulf of
Tonkin Incident, followed by five deployments during the Vietnam War.
The book details his assignments aboard four aircraft carriers, and
assignments at overseas locations, as well as two assignments in Albuquerque,
New Mexico, as a “Mustang” (an officer who rose up through the enlisted
ranks). His assignments as a nuclear weaponsman ranged from an
assemblyman (wrench turner), to a position as an officer responsible for over
one-third of the nation’s stockpile, and as a highly placed member of stockpile
management, and planning committees. Also detailed in the book is his
assignment as the first nuclear weaponsman to serve as a limited duty officer,
and chief warrant officer detailer, and assignment officer in Washington, D.C.
The book ends with his job as a Officer in Charge of a Sound Surveillance
Underwater System (SOSUS) base, during the time of Desert Storm. During
his 30-year career he was awarded 29 medals and ribbons, and various letters
of appreciation and commendation. His highest award was the Meritorious
Service Medal, awarded by the President of the United States.
ACTIVE DUTY U.S. NAVY: June 30, 1960 - February 28, 1991
Awards:
Meritorious Service Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Navy Commendation Medal (2)
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon
Meritorious Unit Commendation (2)
Navy "E" Ribbon (3)
Navy Good Conduct Medal (5)
Navy Expeditionary Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Vietnam Service Medal (with star)
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3)
Navy Overseas Service Medal
Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (gallantry cross)
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Sharpshooter Pistol Medal
Strathmore Union High School, Strathmore, California 2008
Lifetime Achievement Award, May 2008
ORGANIZATIONS
great nation of ours would never be in the position to Lt. Comdr. Thomas H. Best, Sr., U.S. Navy-Retired "All of the Gunner’s Mate Technicians felt like an elite http://www.leeboylandbooks.com/author.html The filming I was involved with ended up on the cutting room floor, but I was listed on the end credits as a consultant. All in all it was an interesting, and enjoyable adventure.
Southern Oregon Warbirds Association (branch president)
Douglas County Veterans Forum (president)
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2468 (Post senior vice president)
Vietnam Veterans of America (Chapter 0805)
Military Officers of America (past branch president)
American Legion Post 16
Fleet Reserve Association (Branch 328)
Douglas County Veteran's Advisory Committee
Navy Nuclear Weapons Association
Military Writers Society of America
Roseburg Elks
An Association of Writers (Roseburg AAW)
Wilbur United Methodist Church
Author's Comments:
"1960, I joined the navy at the young age of 17. I
promised my mother that I would write to her often. I kept
this promise, and wrote to her describing the countries I
visited, and what was happening in my life at the time.
When I retired in 1991, after 30 years, 2 months, 1 day
(I wasn't counting, my retirement was the longest
congressionally mandated time I could remain on active
duty) If I could I'd have remained longer!. At
my retirement ceremony my mother handed me a
large ribbon tied box, and said, "I think you'll be
surprised when you open this". When I opened the box,
I was surprised indeed! She had kept the hundreds
of letters I'd written to her during my navy career!
1995 was the year I began writing my book. This
undertaking was only possible because my mother saved
all my letters, many written over 4 decades in the past.
In 1991 the year of my retirement, all nuclear weapons
were removed from surface ships in the navy, and in 1997
the job of Navy Nuclear Weaponsman ceased to exist. I
have received many favorable comments from my fellow
Navy Nuclear Weaponsmen, who have said, "Finally our
story will be told".
It is said best (no pun intended, see last name below),
in the forward of BROTHERHOOD of DOOM:
"Ever feel like a dinosaur? Well, due to the current
world situation, we have become a Dinosaur of a sort.
But there is another way of looking at the passing of the
nuclear age. We have been members on a unique
government project that may well be the only government
action that we not only saw in its infant development, but
also have watched it grow through its years of peaceful
deterrence, and now watch it die from lack of need. Don’t
ever sell yourself short shipmates. If it was not for each
and everyone of your efforts, dedication, and years of
hard work in somewhat less than desirable conditions, this
negotiate the arms reduction treaties that are now in front
of Congress for ratification. We have always worked
under the veil of secrecy, and we will never be publicly
thanked for this effort, but you have one thing you can
always do. That is simply look into the mirror in the
morning and know that you, aside from everyone else,
have made it one of the biggest contributions that this
country and mankind will ever know."
Publisher: Booklocker.com, Inc. (August 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1601453116
ISBN-13: 978-1601453112
Book Dimensions: 11 x 8.2 x 1.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
Excerpt from: BROTHERHOOD of DOOM:
Memoirs of a Navy Nuclear Weaponsman
group of sailors in the Navy and on the ship. No one could get past the marines guarding our spaces, unless he had a badge. This situation irritated the MAA’s, as they had
access to all areas of the ship in their enforcement duties, except ours. Our berthing compartment was purposely isolated from others on the ship to prevent the inadvertent disclosure of classified information. No one knew what
our job was on the ship. We were shrouded in secrecy,
and were told constantly that we were the “cream of the crop”. We were entrusted with the most powerful,
deadly weapons on earth, and on our shoulders rested the fate of democracy, and our country. Our families, and
loved ones lives depended on how diligently we performed our job. The failure of one weapon during nuclear war
could determine whether we survived or perished. We had
to be ready to go to war if “the button was pushed”. We didn’t dwell on the gruesome realities, but the fact was we would be the very first to know if nuclear war was declared, when we began pushing weapons out of the magazines onto the bomb elevators, and up to the loading crews. A question that was frequently asked of us during reliability briefings was; “If war were to begin in the next five minutes, and you knew that the weapon you were helping push out of the magazine, was going to be dropped on a city where millions of innocent women and children might be killed, would you hesitate, or have moral reservations?" I always said I
would not hesitate and would do my duty. I reconciled this
in my mind, by deciding it was the honorable and right thing to do protecting my loved ones, and country, and my fellow shipmates. I had to do the best job I could, and not dwell on the horrible end results of a nuclear war. In the depths of my soul I prayed that God would not permit these weapons to
be used, but I also realized the importance these weapons played in preventing war. They were a constant deterrent,
to those who desired global domination. There was always pressure to do our jobs flawlessly. Mistakes could not be tolerated".
BROTHERHOOD of DOOM book review by
Lee Boyland, "Author of THE RINGS of ALLAH,
and BEHOLD, AN ASHEN HORSE"
Jim Little tells his thirty year military story, starting with
hisfirst encounter with nuclear weapons when his teacher
screamed at her seven year old students, "Duck and cover."
Few today remember these Cold War drills, but those of
us who do will never forget them.
After graduating from high school, seventeen year old Jim
Little enlisted in the U.S. Navy and the story begins. A
story of enlisted life in the Navy, and a story of dedication,
sacrifice and love of country. It is also is a window into the
secret world of nuclear weapons: what it took to stockpile,
train, load on aircraft, and then return the weapons to their
secure magazines. A story that explains how the U.S. was
able to safely maintain the power to destroy the world and
insure freedom.
Little's story also provides insight into events involving the
Navy and, Cuba, Vietnam, North Korea, and China.
This is a book that any man or woman planning to enter the
military, enlisted or officer, should read. Little leads the
reader through his experience that made him a leader as he
climbed the ranks to Chief and then Warrant Officer. As a
former Army officer, I recognized some of the personalities,
officers and enlisted, described. The characteristics of a
good military leader also apply in the civilian world. There
is much wisdom in this book.
CWO4 Jim Little's career revolved around Navy nuclear
weapons. We have been to many of the same places, and
assigned to the same command--DASA.
This well written book is worth reading. Little keeps the
story going, and you begin to feel you are part of his family.
I plan to share it with my grandchildren when they reach
their senior year in high school.
My only disappointment with the book is the title. I would
prefer BROTHERHOOD OF PEACE, for men and women
like Jim Little kept the peace by making MAD (mutually
assured destruction) possible, thereby keeping the Soviet
Union and China in check.
Click Link for Lee Boyland's WebSite:
NEWS-REVIEW NEWSPAPER, Roseburg, Oregon Book Review February 28, 2008. By Senior Editor
Bill Duncan
'BROTHERHOOD' a well-written, relevant memoir
‘Brotherhood of Doom:
Memoirs of a Navy Nuclear’ Weaponsman
By Jim Little
Booklocker.com Publishers
In early October of 1962, as a newsman in California, I was returning to Los Angeles from an assignment in San Diego. Near Oceanside on Interstate 5, I encountered a northbound Marine Corps military convoy that stretched for miles. I recognized the trucks filled with Marines in full combat gear. When a reporter sees such a large military movement, his news nose twitches.
I stopped in Santa Ana, Calif., and telephoned the Marine Corps air station at El Toro where the convoy was headed. The Marine public information officer gave me alibi copy that the large contingent of Marines was simply going on maneuvers. Other contacts were met with the same response. Instinct told me there was more to the story than what the military was saying.
That night proved me right. President John F. Kennedy announced that U.S. reconnaissance photographs taken by an American U-2 spy plane revealed missile bases being built in Cuba. It was the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Marines were combat-ready for an invasion of Cuba.
Life has many twists and turns, and what was happening in 1962 affected 19-year-old Jim Little, a nuclear weaponsman with the U. S. Navy. Soon he would be aboard the aircraft carrier USS Independence off the coast of Cuba, and would be prepared to arm Navy aircraft as part of the deterrent ordered by the president. In his speech, Kennedy had said any nuclear missile launched from Cuba against any nation in the Western Hemisphere would be considered an attack on the United States, requiring a full retaliatory response upon the Soviet Union.
It was the closest this nation came to armed conflict with the Soviets in the Cold War. Two weeks later, the Russians removed the missiles from Cuba. That harrowing experience was just one of several Chief Warrant Officer James Little would have in his 30-year naval career. Now retired, Little is the president of the Southern Oregon War Birds and vice president of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post, as well as a founding member of the Douglas County Veteran's Forum.
“Brotherhood of Doom” is a personal account of his naval career, which put him in harm's way not only in the Cuban Missile Crisis, but also on five deployments during the Vietnam War, including the Gulf of Tonkin incident. He also took part in Desert Storm.
Of the controversial Gulf of Tonkin incident, Little said that despite all the claims that it was a hoax to involve American troops more extensively in the Vietnam War, he personally witnessed aircraft returning to the USS Ticonderoga with bullet holes. “From my limited viewpoint," he said, “it happened and our ships were under attack.” He said the crew aboard the carrier was at general quarters (combat readiness) for two to three weeks during that time.
While it is a personal memoir, Little tells of the dedication and patriotism of enlisted personnel in the Navy. He himself is what is called a “mustang,” an officer who rose from the ranks of the enlisted men. Throughout the book he does not minimize the safety hazards and extraordinary courage of those who handle and maintain weapons of mass destruction.
The book’s cover is an original watercolor painting by Little of two A-6 Intruder carrier-based medium attack bombers streaking away from a blast of a nuclear weapon on a target, complete with the familiar mushroom cloud billowing above the target.
Little's birthday is Dec. 8, and it was on that date in 1991 that the Soviet Union ceased to exist.
“This was the nicest birthday present I could imagine,” Little said. He is still perplexed that there is so little fanfare over the end of the Cold War, which had been such a large part of life and caused so much dread in America.
“The book is my effort to honor the many outstanding sailors I served with during my career and to tell the reading public about a national program of which so little is known, a program for which all citizens should be thankful,” he said.
Little's last duty station was the Coos Head Naval Facility in Coos Bay. He retired Feb. 28, 1991, and he and his wife, Carmen, settled in Roseburg.
The job of nuclear weaponsman ceased to exist in 1997, several years after President George H. Bush ordered all tactical nuclear weapons removed from naval ships.
On March 13, a Japanese film crew will visit Little here in Roseburg for preliminary interviews about a documentary based on his book on the Cold War. Little said he understands the filming will begin in May.
How was he able to put together 30 years of memories so accurately in his 440-page memoir? Little gives credit to his mother.
“My mother surprised me by presenting me with a ribbon-tied box, which I discovered contained every letter I had written her while in the Navy. If it where not for her, these memoirs would never have been possible.”
Bill Duncan is editor of The Senior Times. He also writes a weekly column on the Opinion Page of The News-Review each Thursday
Review by: Military Writers Society or America (MWSA)
Little reflects on his remarkable thirty year Navy career while primarily assigned to nuclear capable activities. In 1960 at seventeen, Little enters the service and begins training as an enlisted man who soon turns wrenches on nuclear weapons of mass destruction and other bombs. He evolves into an elite Chief Petty Officer, highly respected and in charge of all the “hands on” details of tactical nuclear safety and security within his duty station. Little shares the painstaking advances through ten rank changes, the separation from family and friends, and a multitude of personal and professional relationships encountered. Prior to discharge at forty-eight, Jim attains the rank of Chief Warrant Officer and is in charge of one-third of our country’s nuclear stockpile. He advances in rank and duty while completing his Navy career, and relates his further influence on systematic nuclear protocols as a member of stockpile management and planning committees, and while on the job as Officer in Charge of a Sound Surveillance Underwater System (SOSUS) base.
I liked Jim Little’s watercolor artwork on the book cover that shows an all weather bomber and wingman streaking away from the blast of a nuclear weapon dropped on target. I found the pragmatic details of managing weapons, the snafus at sea and shore, and the never ending movement of this serviceman interesting. Navy loyalty was most evident in this book. I appreciate that Little’s mother never quit writing him for thirty years, and that he and his wife, Carmen, retired together after living through many less than ideal situations dictated by Navy relocation. Little describes the hearty soul that endures Navy life – evidenced by his examples of officers bunking directly under the aircraft catapult at sea and the sailors never ending transitions. I enjoyed the authors reflections about how proud ships and aircraft carriers became retired and scuttled, how highly sensitive locations closed, and how even his job of Navy Nuclear Weaponsman outdated with new ways to manage and trigger our nukes. I am thankful to this dedicated sailor for never forgetting those lost at sea, and for portraying the hard work required to prepare weapons below the bow on his five cruises off the coast of Vietnam.
Little tries to capture every step of his Navy journey, so this is no quick read. The book is 440 pages long, each page 8.5 X 11 inches in size, with small print and half inch borders. Without a doubt, it’s the longest book I’ve ever read. If not concerned with length, I recommend Brotherhood of Doom to those who care to learn how tactical nuclear weapons were handled in the Cold War era, and for those curious about the intricate formality and duty details of Navy life.
Review by Hodge Wood, MWSA Reviewer (March 2009)
The Navy Nuclear Weapons Association (NNWA) is a
nationwide organization of military and civilian participants
in the US Navy Department nuclear weapons program during
the years 1946 to present. Many of our members meet
annually in September or October at various locations
across the US to reminisce with long-lost friends, provide
support with veterans affairs and medical information,
visit historical sites, enjoy quality entertainment in
hospitable environs, and salute our departed.
Click for LINK TO NNWA: http://www.navynucweps.com/
U.S. Air Force Nuclear Weapons Site
Click for LINK TO AIR FORCE NUCLEAR WEAPONS TECHNICIAN
SITE: http://www.usafnukes.com/
To Order:
BROTHERHOOD of DOOM:
Memoirs of a Navy Nuclear Weaponsman
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Jim, Carmen, & Lucky
2008
On November 9, 2008 NHK (Japan Broadcasting Company) released a program called "NHK Special: Secrets of USS Oriskany". It was 49 minutes long. It was a historical documentary about the Cold War and the U.S. nuclear umbrella over Japan in the 1950's to the 1970's, especially the role of the U.S. Navy, and aircraft carriers such as USS Oriskany. It told how the Japanese Self Defense Force cooperated with the U.S. Navy 7th Fleet in the Asian-Pacific region.
In early 2008 I was contacted by the senior producer of NHK, after my book had been read by a reporter in the U.S.
He asked if I would consider being part of the documentary. After meeting with him, I agreed I would help with the production as long as no classified information was revealed.
I also traveled to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where filming took place at the National Atomic Museum, and on Kirtland Air Force base. The Japanese film crew was welcomed at the museum by CWO4 Charlie Schmidt, U.S. Navy Retired, and the museum staff. Charlie Schmidt is highly regarded as a nuclear technician expert. The filming was enjoyable, and as was all contacts with the NHK crew; they were an agreeable, polite, fun group to work with.
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tle was born during the early years of World War II in the fertile farmlands of San Joaquin Valley, California. He has written a book, Brotherhood of Doom: Memoirs of a Navy Nuclear Weaponsman, detailing his naval career, which began with navy boot camp, an assignment aboard a hospital ship, and then schooling in Great Lakes, Illinois and, New Mexico. He was involved in the Cuban Missile Blockade, and the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, followed by five deployments during the Vietnam War. The book details his assignments aboard four aircraft carriers, and assignments at overseas locations, as well as two assignments in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as a “Mustang” (an officer who rose up through the enlisted ranks). His assignments as a nuclear weaponsman ranged from an assemblyman (wrench), to a position as an officer responsible for over one-third of the nation’s stockpile, and as a highly placed member of stockpile management, and planning committees. Also detailed in the book is his assignment as the first nuclear weaponsman to serve as a limited duty officer, and chief warrant officer detailer, and assignment officer in Washington, D.C. The book ends with his job as a Officer in Charge of a Sound Surveillance Underwater System (SOSUS) base, during the time of Desert Storm. During his 30-year career he was awarded 29 medals and ribbons, and various letters of appreciation and commendation. His highest award was the Meritorious Service Medal, awarded by the President of the United States.
James (Jim) Little was born during the early years of World War II in the fertile farmlands of San Joaquin Valley, California. He has written a book, Brotherhood of Doom: Memoirs of a Navy Nuclear Weaponsman, detailing his naval career, which began with navy boot camp, an assignment aboard a hospital ship, and then schooling in Great Lakes, Illinois and, New Mexico. He was involved in the Cuban Missile Blockade, and the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, followed by five deployments during the Vietnam War. The book details his assignments aboard four aircraft carriers, and assignments at overseas locations, as well as two assignments in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as a “Mustang” (an officer who rose up through the enlisted ranks). His assignments as a nuclear weaponsman ranged from an assemblyman (wrench turner), to a position as an officer responsible for over one-third of the nation’s stockpile, and as a highly placed member of stockpile management, and planning committees. Also detailed in the book is his assignment as the first nuclear weaponsman to serve as a limited duty officer, and chief warrant officer detailer, and assignment officer in Washington, D.C. The book ends with his job as a Officer in Charge of a Sound Surveillance Underwater System (SOSUS) base, during the time of Desert Storm. During his 30-year career he was awarded 29 medals and ribbons, and various letters of appreciation and commendation. His highest award was the Meritorious Service Medal, awarded by the President of the United States.
