Marshall Islands, a Chronology: 1944 - 1981

Page 4

u~popS Tesdag--ev~ mmbered left hand pages 4-34; destruction of island helands and radioactive amtarnination of people, land and food sourcw. Resettlement of People--odd numbered right hand pages S-39; the struggle to survive in exile. There is some necessary overlap for clarity; a list of sources used concludes the Chronology on pages 36 and 38. BIKINI ATOLL IN 1946, PRIOR TO THE START OF THE NUCLEAR TESTS. 1st edition published July 1978 2nd edition published August 1981

Page 5

Marshall Islands people have borne the brunt of U.S. military activity dn Micronesia, frum nuclear veapons lxperimnts and missile testing to relocations of people and radioactive contamination of people and their environmart. All, as an American military comnuder said of the Bikini tests, “for the good of mankind and to end all vorld vars. ” Of eleven United Nations Trusteeships created after World War 11, only Micronesia vas designated a “strategic’: test, reflecting its military importance to the United States. l%e U.N. agreement has allowed the U.S. to use the islands for a&litary purposes, while binding the U.S. to advance the veil betng of the people of Micronesia. Western nuclear powers have looked on the Pacific, because of its small isolated populations, as an “ideal” location to conduct nuclear activities unvanted ia their wn In addition to Bikini and Enevetak, the U.S. has tested nuclear weapons at Johaston and Christmas Islands; the British at Christmas Island and In Australia; and the French continue to test at Horuroa and Fangataufa Atolls in “French” Polynesia. Hare than 180 atomic and hydrogen bombs have been detonated in the Pacific region since 1946; over 100 by the The health and safety of people, be they Xarshallese or American citizena and military personnel, has been a very low priority in the U.S. government’s nuclear testing program. As Commissioner Wbby of the Atomic: Energy Coumfssion said in 1953: “People have got to learn to live with the facts of life, and part of the facts of life are fallout.” ’The Marshall Islands fironology tells the story of U.S. military activities in the Marshall Islands and their effect on Marshallese peoples’ lives and environment. It ia a story that has remained untold for too long. TABLE OF CONENTS WEAPONS TESTING RESETTLEMENTOF PEOPLE Bravo H-bomb test at Bikini, 1954 6 iadioactive Fallout Contaminates People a tingelapere Return Home, 1957 12 ‘(wajalein Missile Tests Begin 16 inadequate Medical Treatment Protested 22 Enewetakese Force Cancellation of Tests 24 Study Shows Unexpected Cancer Increase 26 Marshallese Health Problems Worsen 32 Enewetak People Moved to Ujelang, 1947 9 Kuaj alein Landowners Crisis on Ujelang Bikini Declared Safe Evacuated for Tests 15 Enewetak Cleanup Planned 23 Bikini Resettlement Attempt Fails 31 Kwajalein People Occupy Bikini, A Nuclear Waste

Page 6

1945 AUGUST 6 Japan: The U.S. drops a 13 kiloton atomic bomb on Hiroshima city, killing approximately 100,000 people. Three days later a second atomic bomb is dropped on ?lagasaki city, killing approximately 70,000 people. NOVEMBER Washington: American military and political leaders begin planning nuclear experiments for further development of nuclear weapons. Two tests, code named Operation CROSSROADS, are planned to demonstrate the effects of atomic explosions on naval vessels. A search is begun for an appropriate cials in Washington, D.C. announce that Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands fulfills all climatic, geographical and other requirements for Operation CROSSROADS (4,500 miles away from t'ne U.S.; a small population of 167; a protected anchorage; and under the control of :he JULY Bikir.:: Qpcration CROSSROADS begins and izcludcs :wo atomic bomb blasts, Ab:? (July 11, an air drop, and These bomb5 zrc about the size of the About 42,020 military min and scientists participate in this test series. 1947 DECENBER Enevetak: The Navy decides that Enevetak Atoll will be used for a second series of nuclear ex1948 APRIL Enewetak: Operation SAND- :STONE begins and includes three atomic blasts ranging in strength from 18 w 49 kilotons, detonated from towers: XRay (April 151, Yoke (May 1) and Zebra 1951 APRIL Enewetak: Operation GREENHOUSE begins. This series includes four atomic tests exploded on towers: Dog (April 8), Easy (April 21), George (May 9) and Item (May 25). Easy test is 47 kilotons; information on the others remains classified. Approsimately 3,200 military men participate in this series. 1947 JULY The Marshall Islands, along: with the Caroline and Madam Islands, formerly rnder a League of Nations-Mandaee to the Japanese, become the United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific, administered by the United States. Studies of Participaks in Nuclear Tests, National Academy of Sciences, September 1980. 1952 NOVEMBER Enevetak: Operation IVY begins. It includes the first thermonuclear (hydrogen) device test, megatons (750 times greater than tne described as a "high yield" 500 kiloton

Page 7

Excerpt from the United Nations Trusteeship Agreement for the United States Trust Territory of the lacific Islands: ligations under Article 76(b) of the Charter, the administeringaument and self-sufficiencyof the inhabitants, and to this end shall regulate the use of the natural resorrces., encourage the development of fisheries, agriculture, and industries; protect the inhabitants against the loss of their lands and resources; and improve the means of transportationand 3. promote the social advancement of the inhabitants, and to this end shall protect the rights and fundamental freedoms of all elements of the population without discrimination; protect the health forces attack and overcome major Japanese fortifications on Enewetak Atoll after heavy pre-invasion bombardment in which some Marshallese are killed. FEBRUARY Kwajalein: U.S. forces capture Kvajalein Atoll from the Japanese after heavy fighting. Americans recruit Marshallese to remove battle debris and build varehouses, air strips, air craft hangers and other mllitaqry facilities on Kwajalein Island. Families join Marshalleee votkers at Kwajalein labor Kvajalein: The world's largest atoll is made up of approximately 93 tiny coral islands that encircle an 839 square mile ocean lagoon. Total land area of 93 islands 1s only 6.64 square miles. 1945 Enewetak: The Americans build a runway, barracks, warehouses and other base facilities to carrv on the Pacific war. The Eaewetak people are fed,clotbed and housed by the U.S.Navy on Aomcm and Bljire Islands in Enewetak Atoll. 1946 JANUARY Bikini: Washington, D.C. officials select Bikini Atoll for the first series of nuclear bomb tests end its population of 147 must be moved FEBRUARY Bikini: One month after the decision was made in Washington, D.C. to use Bikini Atoll for nuclear experlments, the military governor of the Marshalls obtains the consent of Biklnl's paramount chief for the relocation of his people. The American military governor Informs the Biklnlans that the scientists are experimenting vith kind and to end all world wars." The Bikinians, with no alternative, agree to leave their home. THE TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC AND OCEAN AREA OF THREE MILLION MARCH Bikini: AS the Biklnlans prepare to leave, approximately 250 naval ships, 150 aircraft for observation and transport and thousands of military and sclentlflc personnel begin arriving for MARCH Bikini: Because the Americans said that Bikini would be returned to Its people at the conclusion of the tests, the Blklnlans believe their move ie

Page 8

atomic test. The Mike blast vaporizes Slugelab Island leaving a crater one mile in diameter and 175 feet deep in NOVEMBER 16 Enewecak: Ujelang Atoll, 150 miles southwest of “ground zero” is contaminated with radioactive fallout from :he 500 kiloton King test. ing up to the blast the prevailing upper level troughs indicated that wind was blowing to the vicinity Sene Curbow, HO Weather Reporting Eiement, (V.S.Air Force) on 1954 JANUARY Rongerik: '5 Air Force and 3 Army men arrive on Rongerik Atoll 125 miles east of Bikini, to set UD a weather monitoring station in preparation for Operation CASTLE. This nuclear test series is to include the largest announced hydrogen bomb exploded by the Y.S. The Ronger ik weather station beeins regular observations :0 detemine temperature, barometric conc itions and vind velocity up :o and inc!udinE 100,000 feet allove sea levei. gistrate of Rongelap Atoll, is warned by an American Navy friend that the Rongelap people may be in danger from the upcoming Bravo hydrogen bomb test. But he doesn't know the date of the test, and says there are no orders from Washington to evacuate the people. Rongerik: The weather station men intensify their observations, as the test date draws near, checking surface wind directions and barometric conditions hourly and upper level weather conditions every two hours. They report :o quarters that winds are blowing east from Bikini towards Rongerik and other inhabited atolls. MARCH Bikini: Operation CASTLE begins U.S. MILITARY COMMANDERS ARRIVE IN FEBRUARY 1946 TO TELL TRE BIKINIANS~ THEY MUST LEAVE THEIR ATOLL T'C MAKE; WAY FOR THE NUCLEAR TESTS. at Bikini and Enevetak lasting through : Flay. The series includes Bravo, a*&& ;negaton hydrogen bomb blast, and five e other tests. Koon test (April 7) is I listed at 11.0 kilotons; information on 'I imately 7,200 military men participate 8 in this test series. I MARCH 1 Bikini: At 6:45 a.m., the Bravo 1 surface detonation creates a blinding u flash of light followed by a fireball fl of intense heat, tens of millions of I degrees, shooting upward at a rate of a 300 miles an hour. Within 10 minutes a the giant nuclear cloud reaches more dred miles per hour at the center and 70 to 100 miles an hour at the blast's edge rock the placid lagoon like a full "The sky was suddenly cmpletely lit up, brighter, if possible than daylight itself-.-The shock wave that came after the initial blast uas so tremendous chat all the damaged in one way or another. Almost all of the windows just mnald L&er, Air Force radio omzrator, Ronqerik Atoll, 19%.

Page 9

temporary v Therefore, they choose to miles east, although they recognize its usable well water and many species of fish which are edible on Bikini but are poisonous at Rongerik. BIKINI ATOLL, SITE OF 23 ANNOWCE3 NUCLEAR EXPLOS I OSS MARCH 7 Bikini: The Bikinians’ first relocation is accomplished with little planning. Z’kp_ people are moved swiftly from Bikini to uninhabited Rongerlk, half square mile of dry land surrounding a lagocn of only 55 square miles, compared to Bikini's 2.3 square miles of land and 299 square mile lagoon. MY Rongerik: Less than two months after their arrival the Bikinians express anxiety over Rongerlk’s meager resources, and make the first of many requests to return home. Enewetak: In preparation for the July atomic tests at Bikini, the Enewetak people are evacuated to Mec:k Island in Kwajaleln Atcll, and the Rongelap and Wotho people are relocated to Lae Atoll for the duration of the Bikini tests. Rongerlk: The people of Rongelap Atoll, just 25 miles from Rongerlk, catch fish and prepare food and transport it by outrigger canoes to Rongerik to help JULY Bikini: Bikini magistrate Juda ie flown to view the results of the first atomic test. Detonated over the lagoon, the bomb had caused little visible damage to the islands. When he reports this, the Biklnians’ desire to return ation on Rongerik worsens. Food shortages occur during late 1946 and early 1947 MAY Rongerik: A disastrous fire damages an estimated 30X of the productive coconut trees on Rongerik. JULY Rongerik: The situat;on on Rongcrik further deteriorates. A medical officer; after visiting Rongerik. reports the look into the Biklnian's plign: meets ritf: the people on Rcngerik and reports lnsuiflclent food, a bankrupt store, Icw supplies of water and onl:: cne brackish well on the island. ?he Fear that their departure from F.ongerik has been too lank, delayed. ” SEPTEMBER Rongerlk: Harold Ickes, a fcrzer cabinet member under Presilcnt Frankiin Roosevelt, ir a TIaticnalip tratlon for neglectfng the 6ikinlans on Rongerlk and arouses a storm of crltilage on Ronyerik that anyone vouli be proud to live ;.o...Th? natives are delighted, enthusiastic abut the atomic bomb, rhich has a;ready brought t'lemprosperity and a neu U.S.Navy press statement, Xpril

Page 29

vetak, but has retused to employ it at Kwajalein: The Trust Territory begins unemployed people to leave overcrowded Ebeye and return to their home islands. About 300 people leave voluntarily. More people, however, continue to migrate to Ebeye; others refuse to leave. Operation Exodus fails to reduce the Kwajalein: Mid-Corridor landowners and the U.S. sign the first five year extension of the 1970 agreement for use of their islands. The nev agreement calls for payment by the U.S. of $704,000 a year ($352 per capita based on 2,000 Kvajalein: Of the 7,049 people on Ebeye, only 53% (3,717 are from Kwajalein Atoll, while 3,067 are from other atolls in the Marshalls, 157 from other parts of Micronesia, 27 are fr=n Kirlbati and Tuvaiu and 71 from :he L. 3. Kwajalein: A severe outbreak of flu followed by many cases of splnal aeningitis on Ebeye leaves 12 dead and two children vith permanent brain damage. tives subcomanittee on Territorial and Insular Affairs holds hearings on Ebeye and Majuro chaired by Rep. Patsy Mink. After hearing Uarshallese testimony about job and pay discrimination on Kvajalein, Ebeye residents’ limited access to the excellent Kvajalein hospital and the social problems from overcrovding on Ebeye, Rep. Mink calls the situation on Ebeye “a patent violation of basic human rights ,I’ and demands strong corrective action on the parts of the Defense and Interior Departments. No action follows. DECEMBER Bikini: the C.S. agrees to conduct an aerial radiation survey of the northern Marshalls as a result of the Bikinians' law suit. three years of bureaucratic infighting follow among the departments of State, Interior and Energy (formerly AEC) over the costs and which agency will :ake responsibility for the survey. Enewetak: The U.S.Congress approves funding for the Enewetak cleanup, to be coordinated by the Defense Nuclear Agency. Congress authorizes $20 mlllion and military logistic support for the massive cleanup, scheduled to take "As with the shxtage of water, the lack of proper sanitary facili ties is a major cause of the high rate of sickness on Ebcye. Additionally, foul odors and visible pollution are part of the normai envfrmment in which people must live and wrk and the children must 1977 MARCH Enewetak: About 50 of the Enevetak people vho have lived on Ujelang In a U.S.-imposed exile since 1947, returned to Japtan Island in southern Enevetak Atoll to help in the Trust Territory Goverment, MAY Enevetak: The cleanup operation at Enevetak begins. About 700 Amy men and civilians arrive for the first phase. The cleanup must remove an estimated 125,000 cubic yards of non-contaminated debris, to be dumped in the ocean, and about 100,000 cubic yards of soil and debris contamfnated with plutonium and other radlonuclidee, to be put in a bomb crater on Runit Irland and sealed with a cement cap. 1976 Kwajalein: The more than 1,000 Marshallese work on Kwajalein primarily at service and maintenance jobs: office clerks, equipment operatora, taxi drfvers, gardeners, cooks, etc., to keep the missile range functlonlng. Bikini: The level of radioactive strontium 90 in vell vater on Bikini Island is found to exceed the U.S. m

Page 30

"The theory was put forth that Utirik revived low radiation so a detiled follow up was …