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Machine-read from the scan, so expect some errors. Lines that couldn’t be read are left out.
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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY OFF)CE or THE c~l~F or NAVAL OPERATIONS KEKORANDUK FOR THE RECORD Subj: Radioactive Fallout on Navy Bases in the Marsnall Islands “1. Radioactive rain fell on Kwajalein Atoll as a result of ‘Test YOKE, Ope”ation SANDSTOM. The rain commenced at 18u0 on 2 May 1946. The rain-out continued until 0400 on 3 May 1948. The maximum activity observed was 6 to 10 mr/hr. Among the facilities and units at Kwa]al@in at the time we-e: NAS Kw&jalein, Kwajalein Ship Security Detail, Construction Battalion 1509 Harbor at 0900 on 3 May 1948. 2. Radioactive fallout occurred on Eniwetok Atoll as a result of Test RONEO, Operation CASTLE. At approximately 123u on 29 lta~ch 1?54 (54 hours after ROMEO) intensity levels began to rise. Ey that evening, readings averaged 5 mr/hr, with a 15 mr/hr maximu= on windward surfaces. At that time, no pe”manent naval bases we”e located at Eniwetok (the Naval Station at Eniwetok was closed on 23 June 1947). However, a Naval Shore Detachment, a Boat Pool Detachment, a Detachment of VC-3 and possibly a MATS Unit we”e at Eniwetok on 29 March. In addition, LST-1146, which is cu”rently considered a non-participant, was anchored in Eniwetok Lagoon unitl 1315 on 29 March. Also, Task Force ships and USS PC-1546 all entered or were already anchored in Eniwetok Lagoon on 29 March. 3. Radioactive intensities also rose on Kwajalein as a result of ROMEO. On 31 March 1954, radioactivity levels were recorded at 9 xnr/hr maximums on the windward side of tree trunksl 1 to 3 mr/hr average on beaches, and 1 to 4 mr/hr average on the windward side of buildings. The average Kwejalein background prior to 31 March was 0.05 mr/hr. In addition, aircraft on training flights in the local area recorded concentrations of 2U mr/hr on engines. As a precautionary measure, water catch basins were examined and samples of the first run-off of the next rain were taken for analysis. Of the five samples collected, all indicated no activity except for the one taker, from open storage tank number 10 which read 4.85 X 10-4 microcuries per milliliter. Kwaja]ein naval units at the time included Kwajalein Naval Station, Kwajalein MATS Unit, CHb-4 Kwajalein, and VP-29. BEST COPY AVAILABLE
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Seveyal other Marshall Islands served as naval bases shortly -Atoll (closed 1 June 1947)” Nevertheless, it has not been determined if these islands housed military detachments during the atomic tests.
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Based on the Bikini experience end the fa’ecad ‘TZ-bur&ir@tie ne.aFly all mhips and boats receivedlight ocmtar-inationf- feJ14ti OCCW A lbme iriforzatioriW.S passed on 31 -! to CINCPACFLT in acoo-ce with to the effectthat ? am b “ were observed m the uindwzudaide of tree tnzdcs+, 1 to 3 w hr averzgecm bmhea and 2 tO 4 mrhr hwmge m Wndward eidea of buildings. The averageKwajeleinbackgroundprior to 31 March uas 0.05 mfhr. The a&d.emY further statedthat ticrti un traidng mlws of 20 nrth.r an eagties. [No*: Apprcdmtdy the same tiues were raia be ti&ate& and tht a pint l@e be taken for eaalysis, She f acUiUM re=qwted to Ardude CINCPA~T, and &her utated that the Task Force czfthe CASTLE series.) ATOMIC ENERGY ACT — 1946
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