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JOINT TASK FORCE SEVEN SUBJECT: Reportson Evacuationof Natives and Surveysof Several TO: See Distribution 1. Referenceis made to letterthis headquarters,J-3/729.3,subject: 2. Attachedherewithfor your infor;nationand retentionare copiesof additionalreportsand memorandapertainingto the-above reference. 3. In additionto the above material,motion pictureand still photo- . graphywas accomplishedon variousphases of the initialpre-evacuation surveysand on the receptionof nativesat Kwajalein. Contactblack and white prints of the still photographyare being preparedas furthermaterial to documentthe native evacuationeffort. These printswill not be of professionalqualityand will be forwardedprimarilyto indicatethe over-all photographiccoverage. Distributionwill be made approximately30 April 1954,availabilityof prints permittingdistributionto the followingonly: ChAFSWP,CO&NAVSTkKW;YJ.Additionalprints in specificsizes and quality, and motion picturecoverage,may be procuredin accordancewith Annex T to graph 2b, Annex 9 coveringDistributionand Controlof photographic materialsby the Atomic Energy Commissionand the Departmentof Defense. Commander CLMSIFICATION CANCELLED
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LASL H Div (1 cy) Report by CO USS PHILIP,Ser 001, subj: Evacuationof Rongelapand Ailinginaehtolls on 3 Mar 54, dtd 5 Mar 54. Reportby CO USS FdWfJi, Ser 038, subj: Report of Evacuationof Natives,UtirikAtoll, Report by CO USS NICHOLS, (and 1st Ind by CTG 7.3, Ser 0698 dtd 25 Mar 54), basic ltr ser Report by CO USS NICHOLAS,Ser 054, subj: Report of Nemo for CJTF SEVEN, subj: DDE Trip to Rongelapjxtoll
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To: Commander, Task Group 7.3 Subj: Evacuation of Rongelap end Ailinginae Atolls on 3 March 1954; Ref: (a) COMTASXGROUP 7.3 Disp 0208482 of March 1954 (b) COM JTF SEVEN Disp 0212252 of March 1954 Encl: (1) P assenger lists of evacuees from Rongelap and Ailinginae (2) Radiological statistics reported by monitor teams, Rongeltp and Ailinginae Atolls (3) Location of mater cisterns, Rongelap Island 1. In compliance with reference (a), the PHILIP got underway from Bikini at 2145M on 2 March and arrived and anchored off Rongelap Island in the lagoon at 073OM on 3 March. A PBM-5A (VP-29) aircraft, No. 2085, piloted by LCDR YIELCHwhich previously had been dispatched from Kwajelein anchored about 100 yards off the beach of the same island shortly before the PHILIP anc‘lored. Prior to anchoring, the PBK, in good radio communication with the PHILIP, made a thorough reconnaissance flight around the atoll. Also on departure the previous evening, the Commanding Officer of the PC 1546 offered much valuable navigational and general information which was of great help to the PHILIP. 2. The beach party including the Commending Officer, Executive Officer, Radiological Sefety Officer end a three man monitoring team proceeded from the PHILIP in a motor whale-boat to the PBY and picked up Mr. Marion T#qLDS,civilian representative of the Civil Administration Unit, Marshalls Trust Territories of Pacific Islands, and Oscar DeBrum, Marshallese interpreter. The beach was such as to allow an easy close-in landing without danger to the boat. 3. The party was met at the beach by John, the Magistrate of Rongelap. Monitoring of the island commenced immediately. On tinebasis of initial readings it appeared obvious that evacuation was definitely in order. The Commanding Officer, U.S.S. PHILIP presented Mr. Kilds with the general picture based on monitoring information, and on being informed that Commander Joint Task Force SEVEN had stated that the aotuel evacuation should be requested by trust territory officials, Mr. Xilds was very emphatic regarding the need for evacuation. Through the interpreter
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it was explained that it was to the best interests of the Rongelap people to leave the &toll and that the PHILIP was there for that purpose. Mr. Wilds was present during all the conversation with John the Magistrate and was of much assistance as also was LCDR V. L. MURTHA,Executive Officer of the PHILIP whose Majuro Island Government background proved very helpful in oonvincing the Uarshallese that they should leave. 4, The information that the people would leave Rqngelap was passed very quickly. Each person was asked to bring a small handbag as the only baggage since the monitors’readings indicated a high dosage on sleeping mats, palm baskets, end other personal belongings. It is considered very important that once the accepted leader is established and identified that all requests be made through him without exception, This procedure expedited the entire operation. 5. It was decided to utilize the PBX to transport the elderly and the sick to Kwaj Klein. John designated sixteen (16) persons and this party ~:“.a embarked in the aircraft in about en hour end a half after the party first landed. These passengers are listed in Enclosure (1) which is forwarded herewith. 6. Fortunately, the Marshallese wer e not reluctant to leave the island. The magistrate explained that the people had been sick and he obviously deduced that all of the People would soon be provided the necessary medical care. John was npprehens iva about the safety of his boat, a 30 foot sloop. The sloop was towed by the ship’s whale boat to a better lee. TW anchors were dropped and the boat appeared to be in good holding 7, The forty eight (48) remaining Xzrshallese were trmsported via two -hip’s whale boats to the PHILIP. h’amas of evacuees are listed in 8. De-contamination of the Xarshallese commenced immediately upon em. harkation. Routes had been previously established and tho de-contcminn- ‘tion teams on station ready to guide the passengers to the de-contznination center ( after crev? s washroom). Clothing was placed in two G.I. cans aft and after a thorough shower clean clothes were readily available at the exit. The cr3w donated sufficient white and dungaree trousers, dungaree and “T” shirts without which the de-contnmination could not have been as effective.
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9. Women and children were billeted in the torpedo room and the men provided temporary shelter under a csnvas tarpaulin rigged on the 01 level between the stacks. Cots were available as seats in both. tcnce from the torpedo room was designated for use by the women and children. The men had the use of the after crew's head and washroom. The separation of the Marshallose was mandatory due to the limited space available in the torpedo room. A continuous 24 hour sentry watch, all petty officers, was set at both loc2tions to insure privacy and to assist in any requests made by the Marshallese. 10. All children were provided milk shortly after da-contninstion. The Marshallese went through the regular mess line for meals and had the same ration as the crew. The meat course was the least popular. The majority of the party asked for more soup, bread and vagtitables. Hot soup was most in demand. Ice cream was the naturel favorite of ell the children. 11. The contaminated clothing was washed in the ship's laundry with a strong soap solution, dried, pressed and raturned within four hours after the party embarked. 12. Sleeping accommodations, although crov?od, were considered adequate. Twelve (12) cots and two (2) stretchers were set up in the torpedo room and the remaining deck space covered with kapok life jackets. The men slept on the fantail under the deck awning. Life jackets proved to be comfortable pallets and are excellent insulation against warm or damp decks. Vith the above arrangements each person had a sleeping space. 13. The PR!.!planeCommander reported that ha thought he saw some people on Eniaetok Island (Rongelap Atoll). A party, including John and Oscar DeRrum, the interpreter, londad on this island at 031245X. A thorough search was made but no Uarshallese were located. The 114gistrateinsured the search party that he was czrtain that there were no persons there since a boat was not nearby. lionitorteam readings indicated on avzrnge of 3.02 Roentgens, with a maximum reading of 3.65 Roentgons. IZonitor teem statistics are included in enclosure (2). It was lucky that this island was not inhabite>. 14. Six (6) sampl,esof water taken from tells on Rongelap have bezn forwarded in compliance with rafarence (b). Approximzta locations of wells are indicated in enclosure (3). ,
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15. The ship then procszded to Ailinginae Atoll. The Yagistrnto . believed it possible that a party was on Enibuk Island. A party was landed, conducted a thorough search but found no one. The ship remained in the vicinity of Enibuk while the two whale boats proceeded to Sifo Island. A sloop was sighted anchored in the lagoon off Sifo Islcnd. The party lcndad and John the Manistrate once again explained the need for leaving Rongolap. Eighteen P18) Msrshallcse were tronsported from this island. Both this group, snd John, assured the party that there were no Marshallcse on any of the other islends and the evacuation was considered complstod. The sloop was snchored off the island in a good lee. The same procedures for hendling the 18 evacuees from Sifo were followed as described in tha prscaeding paragraphs. 16. The PHILIP departed from irilinginaeat 18OOM on 3 March end arrived r,tthe Naval Station Kwajclain at 083OM on 4 &rch. The Marshallose were disembarked during the morning of 4 March and removed to the Naval Dispensary. On arrival, the PHILIP was visited by Commander, Navel Strtion, Kwajaloin , and repreeontatives of Commander Joint Task Force 17. In spite of the willingness of the people to l~o.vatheir homes thora was understandable concern over the safety of the two sloops left behind at Rongelap and Sifo. Thsso boats arc a community asset for hauling coprs and returning the basic food staples, medicines and clothing during the period that Trust Territory field trip ships are not available. There was a considerable cmount of copra in a drying shed on Eniaetok and a smalltr amount on Sifo. It was most disheartening to the Magistrate to leave the copra behind since hc himself'hzd prcparzd the copr3.o__7 Eniaetok last week. X11 livestock, including about one hundred chickens znd ten pigs vzre abandoned on Rongelap. Two dogs wcrc 21~0 left on the island. Since the people were not given an cstizztc of the duration of their evacuation, the concern over the above items will no doubt increase as the absence from their homes grorzslonger. 18. It is recommended that aircraft periodic211y chock the condition of the two sloops at Rongelap and Sifo. It is further recommended that soms consideration bc given to the transfer of livestock, copra and personal belongings on Rongelap, Sifo, Enizetok. Thare is a possibility th-t these animals could be of much value for scientific research, 19. The Marshallese wore excellent pnssengcrs, most coopsrativc, nscr demanding and exemplary in conduct. It was a distinct pleasure for the crew of the FHILIP to have been afforded the opportunity to assist these quiet peopla in the evncu%tion.
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A LIST OF MARSHALLESE EVACUATED VIA PBM FROM RONGELAP ISLAND NAME SEX AGE Page 1 of Zsclosure (1) ’
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A LIST OF XUXSHALLE~E EMBA.RKEDABOARD THE uss PHILIP (DDE 498) FROK SIFO ISLAND ON 3 NARCH 1954 Page 3 of Enclosure (1)
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(Evacuation and Docontsmination of Marsholleso Nntives) 1. Decontamination readings are as follows: contcminzting procedures were employsd due to its rough surface and prolongsd exposure to radiation. However, maximum readings of less thsn 50 IX/XR did not marrznt discnrdirq women's clothing due to tho _ short time it was to be worn. Decontamination upon leaving the ship: 20-22 IZR/3R.
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j%FleetPost Office In Reply Refer to Subj: Reportof zvacuationof Riatives,UtirikAtoll, 4 larch 1954 1. In accordancewith reference(b), enclosure(1) is submittedherewith. 2. A limitednumber of photographswere taken of some phases of the evacuation by the ship'sofficialphotographer.These are not being processed and it is later plannedto submitprintsas a supplementto this report. 3. The four drinkingwater samplesmentionedin enclosure(1) as obtained from the regularlivingarea, Utirik,were deliveredto CJTF 7 on 8 &arch 1954 via Major R. 3. Crea, USA, Staff CJTF 7. .
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UTIRIK ATOLL, MARSHALL ISLAIGDS Having received orders.at just before dawn on 3 Arch 1354, to proceed to UtiriK htoll, tne Renshaw, immediately departed from the patrol area north of Eniwetok Atoll and set course eastward to pass south of Bikini enroute. Speed was adjusted to arrive at daylight the next day and the 400 mile voyage was completed without incident. Meanwhile, LW activity was evident in Renshaw. Charts, sailing dirertions, tide tables and all possible sources of information on the Atoll were searched and avidly studied. Although the decision that the natives would be evacuated was not know on board until late in the night of the 3rd, plans were firmed up for handling the people. S;;veralschemes were put forward but the final plan was made with the invaluable knowledge and assist;lce of s;.K. Tryba, BIZ, USK. He had served a tour of duty in trust territories west of the Karshallsand had experience in evacuation of natives. Although the Douglas A. Xunro (DE+f+22)was detailed to assist Renshaw, her estimated arrivalvtas not until 04133Oii,hence plans were made for the possibility of receiving on board Renshaw all the reported 180 natives of The approach to the target Atoll was made from the wsstward and north of Taka Atoll which is only 4 miles 3% of Utirik. It was sighted at about 06301.~ oc the morning of 4 Larch and course was set southeastward to pass between the two atolls. Enroute to the south side of triangular shaped Utirik Atoll, me passed close to the reef on the western side in order to get a look at Utirik Fassage. There v;ssno thought of entering this channel inasnuch as Sailing Directicns were very definite that no ship larger than a PC should Lake the etterqt. Uevetihzless, a look was desired to determine if charted beacons were prt=sent(they weren't) and to determine the feasibility of our boats entering the lagoon or perhaps even the DE should it be found too dangerous on the south side for the evacuation. Theoretically, it would have even been possible for Renshaw to enter at high tide about 16OOZ when our le ft. drag aft v:ouldclear the channel about 3 ft. if the charted depths wer2 correct and if the sun at our backs nade the charin; &lu coral heads visible. It wzs reckoned that the thrill of entering this channel for the C.O. would be about like that of Russian roulette. Upon rounding the ST;tip of the Atoll, course was set eastl:;ardto Skirt the reef along th5 southern leg which appeared to offer the best lee froc! wind and surf for the evacuation. Fortunately the weather was exceptionally good with light IX5winds and only noderate sY;ells. At O'i'3j;.:the ship hove to at about 5CQ yds just south of Utirik IS., the largest of the Atoll and on v;hichall the natives were reported to live. At this time test terriand interpreters had not arrived nor had an ETA been received. n view of our directive to CO~.L.,*c-enceevacuation at daylight it Was decided
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to proceedat once as best we coulduntil the trust officialsarrivedor if necessarywithoutthem. It was hopedthat we might find a missionary, a pidginEnglishnativeor even a trust representativeashore. Consequentlyat about 0740 the gig (26 ft. El3) was launchedand a beach partywas embarkedwith the tiecutiveOfficer,I.CDRV..h. Easton, USK, in charge. He was to try to get ashore as soon as possible, organize the natives for evacuation and determine the best location and means for the evacuation. Included in this party were the Radsafo Officer, monitor, hospitatim, signalman, etc. As soon as this party shoved off, a second &B was launched with the Gunnery …
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