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JOINT TASK FORCE SEV~ San Francisco, Calif. SUBJECT: Geports on Evacuation of Natives and Surveys of Several 1. Reference is made to letter this headquarters, Radiologicd Survep of Several kars~~ Ssbnd fitolis, Attached her~th for your information and ret=tion are copies of additional reports and memoranda pertaintig to the above reference.— . graphy was accomplished on various phases of the initld pre-evacuation. . surveys and on the reception of natives at KwaJalem. Contact black and white prtits of the still photography are being prepared as further matefial to document the native evacuation effort. These prints wilL not be of professional quality and will be fomafied prtiarily to indicate the over~a~ photogmptic coverage. Distribution wi~ be made appmtimately 30 AprLl 1954, availability of prints permitting distribution to the ,fo~owtig only: and notion picture coverage, may be procured in accordance with Ann= T to CJTF SEVEN Operation Order 3-53. Particdar attention is graph 2b, Amex T covering Distribution and Centrol of photographic materials by the Atomic Energy Commission and the Deprtment of Defense. Major General, USA
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HASL, NYOO (c/o Mgr Opns) (2 CYS) Report by CO USS PHILIP, Ser 001, subj: Evacuation of Rongelap and Ailinginae Atolls on 3 I.lar54, dtd 5 Mar 54. Report by CO USS F_i!t+!AIi,Ser 038, subj: Report of Evacuation of Natives, Utirik Atoll, Report by CO USS NICHOLAS, (and 1st Ind by 0.!+9,subj: Radsafe Survey 8-11 Mar 54, dtd 20 Mar 54. Report by CO USS NICHOLAS, Ser 054, subj: Report of Rongelap Survey Trip, 25-26 Mar 54, dtd 28 Mar 54. Memo for CJTF SEVEN, subj: DDE Trip to Rongelap Ato~ Drinking Vater Samples (Analysis Report). Soil Samples (Analysis Report).
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From: Commanding Officer To: Comnander, Task Group 7.3 Subj: Evacuation of Rongelap and Ailinginae Atolls on 3 March 1954; Ref: (a) COMT.4SKGROUP7.3 Disp 0208482 of March 1954 (b) COMJTF SEVEN Disp 0212252 of March 1954 Encl: (1) Passenger lists of evacuees from Rongelap and Ailinginae and Ailinginae Atolls (3) Location of water 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 0730M on 3 March. A PBM-5A (VP-29) aircraft, No. 2085, piloted byLCDR NELCH which previously had been dispatched from Kwajelein anchored about 100 yards off the beach of the same island shortly before the PHILIP amchored. Prior to anchoring, the PBM, in good radio communication with the PHILIP, made a thorough reconnaissance flight around the atoll. Also on departure the previous evening, the Comrnsnding Officer of the PC 1546 offered much valuable navigational end general information which was of great help to the PHILIP. 2. The beach party including the Commanding Officer, Executive Officer, Radiological Safety Officer and a three man monitoring team proceeded from the PHILIP in a motor whale-boat to the PBM end picked up W. Marion ‘TILDS,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 en easy close-in landing without danger to the boat. 3. The party was met at the beach by John, the Magistrate of Rongelapo Monitoring of the island commenced im-mediatelyo On the basis of initial readings it appeared obvious that evacuation was definitely in order. The Commanding Officer, U.S.S. PHILIP presented Mr. Wilds with the general picture based on monitoring information, and on being info~ed that Commander Joint Task Force SEVEN had stated that the aotuel evacuation should be re~uested by trust territory officials, Mr. wilds was vaW emphatic regarding the need for evacuation. Through the interpreter
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v it was explained that it was to the best interests of the Rongelap people to leave the atoll end 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 Ma.juroIsland Government background proved very helpful in convincing the Marshallese that they should leave. 4. The information that the people wuuld leave Rongelap 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, and other personal belongings. It iR considered very important that once tfieaccepted leader is established~ and identified that all requests be made through him without exception. This procedure expedited the entire operltion. 5. It was decided to utilize the PBhlto transport the elderly and the sick to Kwajalein. John designated sixteen (16) persons and this party ~...sembarked in the aircr~t in about ~ hour and a half after the perty first landed. These passerigersare listed in Enclosure (1) which 6. Fortunately, the hfiarshallesewere not reluctant to leave the islad. The magistrate explained that the people had been sick and he obviously d.sducedthat all of the people would soon be provided the necessary mzdical care. John was apprehensive about the safety of his boat, a 30 foot sloop. The sloop was towed by the shipls whole boat to a bettsr lee. Two anchors were dropped and the boat appeared to be in good holding 7. The forty eight (48) remaining hl~rshallesewere trmsported via * ~hip’s whale boats to the PHILIP. Names of evacuees are listed in 8. De~conta.minationof the Marshallese commenced immediately upon em” barkation. Routes had been previously established cnd the de-contamination teams on station ready to guide the passengers to the de-contc.mination center (after crewts washroom). Clothing was placed in two G.I. c~s aft and after a thorough shower clean clothes were readily available at the exit. The crsw donated sufficient white and dungaree trousers, dungaree and “T” shirts without fiich the de-contamination 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 canvas tarpaulin rigged on the 01 level betm=eenthe stacks. Cots were available as seats in both lpcations. The efttirofficer~s head and washroom, a short distance from the torpedo room was designated for use by the women and children. The men had the use of the The separation of the Marshallose was sp~ce available in the torpedo room. watch, all petty officers, was set at and to assist in any requests made by d%ar crewrs head and washroom. mandatory due to the limited A continuous 24 hour sentry both locations to insure privacy 10. All children were provided milk shortly after da-contamination. The Marshallese went through the regular mess line for meals and had the same ration as the crew. The meat course was tha least popular. The majority of the pxrty asked for more soup, brcnd and vegetables. Hot soup was most in demand. Ice cram was the naturml favorite of ~ all the children. 11. The contaminated clothing was washed in the ship~s laundry with a strong soap solution> driad~ prassed and returned within four hours nfter the party emb~rked. 12. Sleeping accommodations, although crov.fled,were considered adequate. Twelve (12) cots and two (2) stretchers were set up in the torpedo room xnd 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 wmm or damp decks. ‘Withthe above arrangements each person had a sleeping space. 13. The PBM plmeCommander reportad that he thought he SQW somo people on Eniaetok Islmd (Rongelap Atoll). A party, including John and Oscar De3rum, the interpreter, landed on this island at 031245M. A thorough se~rch was made but no Marshallese were located. The Magistrate insured thz search party that he was ctirtainthat there wer~ no persons there since Q boat was not nezrby. Nonitor team re~dings indicc.tedan average of 3.02 Roantgens, with a muimum reo.dingof 3.65 Roentgcns. Monitor te?rnst~tistics are included in enclosure (2). It was lucky that this island was not inhabite>. 14, Six (6) sanplss of water takan from wells on Rongelap have been forwarded in compliance with reference (b). Approximate locations of wells are indic~ted in enclosure (3).
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belibved it possible that’a party was on Enibuk Island. A party was Imded, conducted a thorough search but found no one. The ship re- ~ciinedin the vicinity of Enibuk while ths two whale boats proceeded to Sifo Island. A sloop was sighted znchored in tho lngoon off Sifo the need for leaving Rongelap. Eighteen ?18) Marshallcse w.r. transported from this island. Both this group, and John, assured the ptiy that there were no Mcmshzllese on any of the other islands and the islwzd in n good lee. The same procedures for handling the 18 evncuoes from Sifo were followed as describad in the preceding paragraphs. at the NEVE1 Station Kwsjclein at 0830M on 4 I;larch.The Marshallaso were disembarked during the morning of 4 usrch md removed to the Navd Dispensary. On nrriv~, the PHILIP was visited by Commander, NQveJ Station, Kwaj~lzin, md represontntives of Commander Joint Task Force 17. In spite of the willingness of the people to loavo their homes thera was Understandable concern over the s~afctyof the two sloops left behind at Rongelap md Sifo. These bocts arc a community asset for hmiling coprs and returning the basic food staples$ n~dicines ~d clothing during the period thct Trust Tzrritory fizld trip ships are not ~.vailable. There w~s z coasidzrable mount of copra in a drying shed on Eniaetok and n smdl~r mount on Sifo, It was most dishccrtcning to th$ Magistrate to leava the copra behind since hc himself had prcpzrcd the copr~ on Enizetok Ilst week. All livestock, including about one hundred chickens -nd ten pigs were cbamdoncd on Rongelsp. TWO dogs were also left on the island. Since the p~ople were not given an estim~te of the duration of their evacuation, the concern over the abovo items will no doubt increzse as the absence from their homes grows longer. lf3. It is recommended that aircraft periodically oheck the condition of the two sloops at Rongelap and Sifo. It is further recommended that soresconsider~tion be given to the transfer of livestock, copra and psrsond belongings on Rongelap, Sifo, 2ni~etok. There is a possibility th~t these animals could be of much value for scientific research. 19. The l?~rshcllesewzrc excsllznt pc+ssexgcrs,most coopzrativo, nzvtir demanding cnd exemplary in conduct. It U-ZS5 distinct pleasure f~r the crew of the PHILIP to have been afforded the opportunity to assist these quiet peopla in the av~cuation.
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(Evacuation and Docontsmination of Wrshclleso Natives) ~ 1. Decontamination readings are as follows: contamin~ting procedures were employed due to its not warrmt discarding womenfs clothing due to the short time it was to be worn.
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%Fleet Post Office In Reply Refer to San Francisco, California DDE499/LHA:rec P To: Commander Task Group SEVEN POINT TSubj: Report of Evacuation of Natives, Utirik Atoll, 4 Wwh 1954 hef: (a) CTG 7.3 conf disp 0312202 EI-IC1:(1) Inforr@lliarrative of Evacuation of Utirik Island Natives 1. In accordance with reference (b), enclosure (1) is submitted heremth. 2. A limited number of photographs were taken of some phases of the evacuation by the ship’s official photog~her. These are not being pmces~d and it is later planned to submit prints as a supplement to ths 3. The four dtiking water samp~s mentioned in enclosure (1) as obtained from the regular living area, Utlrlk, were debvered to CJTF 7 on 8 Larch
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INFORLAL NAJ71ATIVEOF EVACUATION OF NATIVLS FFLOM UTIRIK ATOLL, MAKSHALL ISLANDS - Having received orders at just before dawn on 3 Arch 1951+,to proceed to Utiri~ atoh, tne itenshaw,immediately departed from the patrml area north ~ of Eniwetok Atoll and set course eastward to pass south of Biktii enroute. Speed was adjusted to arrive at daylight the next day and the 400 tile voYage was completed without incident. Meanwhile, new activity was evident in Renshaw. Charts, sailing directions, tide tables and all possible sources of information on the Atoll were ‘searched and avidly studied. Qthough the decision that the natives would be evacuated was not known on board until late in the night of the 3rd, plans were firmed up for handling the people. S~weral schemes were put forward but . the final plan was made with the invaluable knowledge and assiste:lceof E. K. Tryba, BMC, USN. He had served a tour of duty in trust territories west of the Marshalls and had experience in evacuation of natives. Although the Douglas A. !iunro(DE-~22) was detailed to assist Rensha., her estimated arrival was not until 041330U, hence plans were made for th~ possibility of receiving on board Renshaw all the reported 180 natives of The approach to the target Atoll was made from the westward and north of Taka Atoll which is only 4 miles SW of Utirik. It was sighted at about 0630L Orl 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.. we passed close to the reef on the western side in order to get a look at Utirik Passage. There was no thought of entering this channel inasmuch as Sailing Directions were very definite that no ship larger than a PC should make the attempt. I~evetiheless,a look was desired to deternine if charted beacons were present (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 16001iwhen our 18 ft. drag aft would clear the channel about 3 ft. if the charted depths were correct and if the sun at our backs m,adethe chann~l a~cicoral heads visibl.. It was reckoned that the thrill of entering this channel for the C.O. would be about like that of Russian roulette. Upn rounding the SW tip of the Atoll, course was set eastward to s~fi the reef along tha southern leg which appeered to offer the best lee from wind and surf for the evacuation. Fortunately the weather was exceptionally good with light NE winds and only moderate swells. At 0735K the ship hove to at about sOO yds just south of Utirik 1s., the largest of the Ato~ and on which all the natives were reported to live. At this time trust terriory officials and interpreters had not arrived nor had an ETA been received. lew of our directive to col,xnenceevacuation at daylight it was decided~~y\@l@n v”
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to prvceed at once as best we could until the trust officials arrived or if necessary without them. It was hoped that we might find a missionary, a pidgin English native or even a trust representative ashore. Corlsequentlyat about 07ft0the gig (26 ft. ~~~*3)W~S hunched and a in charge. He was to try to get ashore as soon as possible, organize the natives for evacuat,ion’and detemfie the best lkcation and means for the evacuation. Included in this party were the F&dsafc Officer, monitor, hosr pitalmn, signalm2n, etc. “B~’~ssoon as this …
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