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SUBJIXT: Leper’tson Evacuation of Natives and Surveys of Several Marshall Island Jltolls ;: TO: See Distribution 1. Reference is made to letter this headquarters, J-3/729*3j subject: Radiological Surveys of Several harshallIslandALs j aatea 18 ~a~~ 1954 2. Attached herewith for your information and retention are copies of additional reports and memoranda pertaining to the above referente. 3. In addition to the above material, motion picture and still photography was accomplished on various phases of the initial pre-evacuation sumeys and on the reception of natives at Kwajalein. Contact black and white prints of the still photography are being prepared as further material to document the native evacuation effort. These prints will not be of professional quality and will be fomarded primarily to indicate the over-all photographic coverage, Distribution will be made apprmdnately 30 April 1954, availability of prints permitting distribution to the fo~owfig ofilY: CMFSWP, COMNAVSTAKWAJ. Additional prints in specific sizes and quality, and nmtion picture coverage, may be procured in accordance with Annex T to CJTF SEVEN Operation Order 3-53. Particular attention is invited to paragraph 2b, Annex T covering Distribution and Contxml of photographic materials by the Atomic Energy Commission and the Department of Defense. BEST COPY AVAILABLE
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LASLH Div (1 cy) USS NICHOLAS (DDE-449) (1 cy) Report by CO USS PHILIP, Ser 001,” subj: Evacuation of Rongelap and Ailinginae Atolls on 3 Ilar54, dtd 5 Mar 54. Report by CO USS I&NSrXi, Ser 038, subj: Report of Evacuation of Natives, Utirik iitoll, Report by CO USS NICHOLAS, (and 1st Ind by CTG 7.3, Ser 0698 dtd 25 Mar 54), basic ltr ser Report by CO L?SSNICHOLAS, Ser 054, subj: Report of Memo for CJTF SEVEil,subj: DDE Trip to Rongelap Jitoll M/R : Miscellaneous Wdsafe Surveys of liongerik. Drinking Later Samples (Analysis Report). Soil Samples (Analysis Report).
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From: Commanding Officer To: Commander, Task Group 7.3 Subj: Evacuation of Rongelap and Ailinginae Atolls on 3 March 1954; y~~l: (1) Passenger lists of evacuees from Rongelap and Ailinginae (2) Radiological statistics reported by monitor teams, Rongelq and Ailinginae Atolls (3) Location of water cisterns, R~ngelap Island 1. In compliance with reference (a), the PHILIP got underway from Bikini at 2145M on 2 March and arrived and ~chored off Rongelap Island in the lagoon at 0730M on 3 March. A PBM-5A (VP-29) aircraft, No. 2085, piloted by LCDR’7ELCH which previously had beer.dispatched from Kwajelein anchored about 100 yards off the beach of the same island shortly before the PHILIP anchored. Prior to anchoring, tne PBE, in good radio communication with the PHILIP, made a thorough reconnaiss~ce flight around the atoll. Also on departure the previous evening, the Commanding Officer of the PC 1546 offered much valuable navigational and general iriformationwhich was of great help to the PHILIP. 2. The beach party including the Commanding Officer, Executive Officer, Radiological Safety Officer ~d a three man monitoring team proceeded from the PHILIP in a motor whale-boat to the PBM and picked up Mr. Marion WILDS, civilian representative of the Civil Administration Unit, Marshells terpreter. The beach was such as to EJ1OW an easy close-in landing without danger to the boat. 30 The party was met at the beach by John, the Magistrate of Rongelap. Ttionitoringof the island commenced immediately. On the basis of initial readings it appeared obvious that evacu~tion was definitely in order. The Commanding Officer, U.S.S. PHILIP presented Mr. Wilds with the general picture based on monitoring information, ~d on being informed that Commander Joint Task Force SEVEN had stated that the aotu~ evacuation should be requested ‘cytrust territory officials, Mr. Wilds was vary emphatic regarding the need for evacuation, Through the interpreter
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it WES explained thzt it was to the best interests of the Rongelap people to leave the atoll and that the PHILIP was there for that purpose. Mr. I-’ildswas present during all the conversation with John the Magistrate and was of much assistance as also w~s LCJR V. L. MU??TH.i,Executive Officer of the PHILIP whose Majuro Island shdlese that they should leave. 4. The information that the people would leave R~ng?lap was passed vzry quickly. Each person was asked to bring a small handbag as the only baggage since the monitors readings indicated a high dos~ge on sleeping mats, palm baskets, and other personal belongings, It is considered very importmt that once ++e accepted leader is established This procedurs expedited the entire oper~tion. 5. It was decided to utilize the PBM to transport the elderly and the sick to Kvnjdein. John designated sixteen (16) persons and this party v-g embarked in the aircraft in about an hour and a half after the party first larded. These passerigersare listed in Enclosure (1) which 6. Fortunately, the Marshallese were not reluctmt to leave the islend. The magistrate explained that the psople had been sick and he obviously dsduc~d that all of the people would soon be provided the necessary medical care. Johi.was apprehensive about the safety of his bor.t,a 30 foot sloop. The sloop vm towed by th~ ship’s whale bent to a bsttcr lee. ‘IWOanchors were dropped and the boat appeared to be in good holding 7. The forty eight (4S) remaining h!~rshallesewere trmsportsd via two -hip?s whale boats to the PHILIP. Names of evacuees are listed in barkation. Routes had b?en previously established ssmlthe de-contwni>~- tion teams on station ready to guide the passengers to the de-contmninac.ftand after a thorough shower clean clothes were readily available zt the exit. The cr?w donated sufficient white and dunge.rcetrousers, dungaree amcl“T” shirts without w%ich the de-contmnination could not have been as effective
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T’omen and children were billeted in the torpedo room cnd the9. nwn provided temporary shelter under Q cmvas tcrpaulin rigged on the 01 level betv,eenthe stacks. Cots were avcil~ble xs sezts in both locations. The after officer’s h=ad and washroom, a short distance from the torpsdo room was dzsign~ted for uss by the women cmd children. Tke men-had the use of th~ The separation of the Marshdlese wzs space av?ilable in the torpedo room. w~tch, all petty officers, was set at z~d to assist in cny requests made by mandatory due to the limited both locztions to insure privacy 10. All children were provided milk shortly d%er de-containztion. The it!arshallesewent through the regulti ~L~ss line for meals and had the same ration C.Sthe crew. The meat course was the least popular. The m~ority of the pzrty asked for more soup, bread cnd vegetables. Hot soup WQS most in demcmd. Ice cram w~s the n~,turilfavorite of ill the childrsn. 11. The contaminated clothing was washed in the shipts laundry with z strong soap solution, dried, pressed and returned within four hours nfter the party enb>rksd. 12. Sleeping accommodations, although crow?cd, werz cocsidsred adequate~ Twelve (12) cots and two (2) stretchers were set up in the torpedo roon md the remaining deck space covered with kapok life jackets. The men slept on the fmtnil under the deck awning, Life jzcksts proved to be 13. The PEW!pl?~co~l~der reported that he thought he saw some people Dz3rum, ths interpreter, lmded on this island at 03124511!.A thorough sirce & boat was not necrby. hor.itorteam readings indic:.tsdan av~r~ge Of 3,02 Roentgens~ with a rnuimum reading of 3.65 Roentgcns. Monitor te?m statistics are included in enclosure (2). It WLS lucky th~t this 14. Six (6) smplss of wlter ttien from wells on Rongelap h~ve b~en
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15. The ship then proce~ded to Ailinginae .Itoll. The Magistrate hclizv~d it possibls that a p%rty was on Enibuk Islmd, A party WO.S lmded, conducted n thorough secrch but found no one. The ship reported from this islend. Both this group, md John, assured the P~Y were disembarked during the morning of 4 ?l!~rchcmd removed to the NQV21 Stction, Kw~j:.Iein,md rspresontatives of Co.mmmdcr Joint Task Force 17. In spite of the willingriessof the people to l~~-retheir homes not c.v~ilnble.-Thsre was s consider~ble zmmunt of copre in a drying shed on Eni~.ctokand a smrll~r mount on Sifo. It was most disheartening to the i{agistr%tcto lezve the coprz behind since he hinsclf hnd prcp~r~d ~lso left on the islmd. Since the people were XIOt given an Cstii?.ateOf thz durztio~ of their ev~cu-.tion,thz concern ovzr the abovz items will r,odoubt increcse m the absence from th~ir hom~s grows longer. l%. It is rccomnended th~t aircrlft periodically ohcck the condition of the two sloops at Ror.gelapand Sifo. It is further recomncnded that personal belongings on RonSelap, Sifo, Eninetok. Th=re is a possibility th:.tthese cmimzls cculd ba of much v~lue for scientific resecrch. 19. The Mmshallese uwrc excellsnt passengers, most coop~rativ~, n~v~r demmding c.n5exemplzry in conduct. It was a distinct pleasuro for the crew of the PHILIP to have been afforded the opportunity to assist th~se
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contminatin: procedures were smploy~d dus to its rou~h surface and prolonGed exposure to radiation. not warrmt discardin~ womeritsclothin~ due to the short time it was to be worn.
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%Fleet Post Office In Reply Refer to San Francisco, California DDL499/LHA:rec To: Commander Task Group SEVEN POINT T= Subj: F.eportof Evacuation of Natives, Utirik Atoll, 4 March 1954 Encl: (1) Infcrmaliiarrative of E\racuationof Utirik 1. In accordance with reference (b), enclosure (1) is 2. A limited number of photographs wqre taken of some . atioriby the ship’s official photogmpher~ These are not being prmcessea and it is later planned to submit prints as a supplement to tins report. 3. The four drinking water samples mentioned in enclosure (1) as obtained from the re@ar living areaj Utirik, were delivered to CJTF 7 on 8 karch phases of the evacu-
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Having received orders at just before dawn on S Larci-,1Y54, to pzmceed to Utiri~ fitol~,tne Rensriaw)immediately departed from the patrul area north of Eniwetok Atou and set course eastward to pass south of Bikini enrc~te. Speed was adjusted to arrive at daylight the next day and the ,!tGOmile voyacv Lkanwhile, riewactivity was evident in Renshaw. Charts, sailing directions, tide tables and all possible sources of information on the Atoll wer~ searched and avidly studied. Although the decision that the natives would bc evacuated was not known on board until late in the night of the jrd, plafi: were firmed up for handling the people. Ssvcrzl schemes were put forward but the fir,alplan was made with the invaluable knowledge and assistance of E, K. Trybaj WC, USI:. i-+ehad served a tour of duty in trust territories west of the Karshalls and h~d experience in evacuation of natives. Although the Douglas A. Uunro (DE-422) was detailed to assist RensFAw, her estimated arrival was not until CJ41330Li,hence plans were made for th~ possibility of rec~ivtig on board FWnshaw all the reported 180 natives of Tk,eapproach to the target Atoll was made from the westward and north cf Taka Atoll which is only 4 miles SW of Utirik. It was sighted at about 0630.. orltric.momin~ of f+Larch and course was set southeastward to pass between the two atolls. Enroute to the south side of triangular shapd Utirik Atoll,. we passed close to the reef on th~ western side h 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 larg,erthan a PC should rake th~ attempt. I~evertheless,a look was desired to determine if charted beacons were present (they werenft) 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 possi’olefor Fknshaw to enter at high tide about 16001iwhen our 18 ft. drag aft would clear the chhnnel about 3 ft. if the charted depths were correct and if the sun at our backs made the charm;l aid coral heads visitlc. it was reckoned that the thrill of entering this channel for the C.O. would be about like that of Russian rmlette. Upon rounding the W tip of the Atoll, course was set eastward to skirt the reef along ths soutnem leg which appeared 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 07351.1the ship ho~~ to at about 500 yds just south of Utirik Is., the largest of the Atoll and on which all the nativ~s were reported to live. At this time trust territory officials end interpreters had not arrived nor had an ETA been rec~ive~. In view of our directive to COImenCe evacuation at daylight it was decided
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to proceed at onct as best we could until tr,~trust offici~ls arriv=d or 2 Fidgin English n~tive or even a trust reF1cs@taLive =~~r=. for receiving the natives on board. Awmings were rigged on th= fantail Witil side strips from the deck to the rtidgeropes. ~dditior,allife lir.esv;cre rig,gtidfcr tn~ safety of children. Fare ma aft and vertical accesses to the fant~il were closed or roped off and awnings rigged where neccsszry to and sufficient clan ctwgarec shirts, trcuscrs~ etc.~ were raised by an ‘Cj-CIOSinE Off 2CCCSS to a.311@Kl tub. Ke planned to tether chickens to here and elsewrlerehas z continuous outer perimeter of table r~~fs exteridirl~ so.nGLO yds out into the water over whicrlth. waves produced a surf of m.di”tir. size ar.dpresented considerable small boat hazard. n~ving selected a point wk=re the stirfwas slight and zppearzd to offer the best spot, the tiecutiv~ it after picking up a bp.iled-outjet pilot last fall), ~F1~cfi had a ltiLe atLacced to it from tne boat. After SOLL6rrd~ress towards tnb beach he around but making no progress. It was later d.t~rrfi,cdth:t th~ line frwr. rielpedkin ashore &rddst friendly greetings. in the westsm. part of the I_agoor.md co.nmcncedtaxiing eastward toviatis
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cross over to th~ lagoon side and USQ tkierubber raft or uiy means to knd the plane passengers. With the friendly h~lp of the cooperative r,ativcs, tnc X.O. with the robber raft, set out in an outrigper canoe towards th~ seaplane in the lagoon. but jUSt as hc ap~I’OaCk,:d the plane it taxiicd 2WLy to the plan. that if he had difficulty landing passengers in th~ lagoon, h~ rrighttry landing outside the lagoon near tricsihip. Upon haaring this suggestiorl,the plan~ took off immediately and after onc try, a trm,mdous bounce, another circle and apFroach, landed near the sr.ipabout 09151;, the nativas said landings COUIC be made with more ease and safctyt This was don~ but calling it a covv is a misuse of the term. Ease and s~f~t.<. did not se.m to fit the situation either but it did appear less dangerous. Ey usin~ the ancnor to seaward th~ gig was slowljjwork~d up to the re.f edge where the i.adsafeOfficer and his team diserkxmked and wad.d ashore larg= and small. During this time the Executive Ofiicer had returned to tn. beach fron the lagoon and his try at r;ceiving tne plane passengers and advised the native chief to prepare his people for evacuation. Sore;of the natives who seened to Understarldand spoke som~ broken English were of Crest assistance in this. At this time tkl~ ship was advised by the X.0, of the necessity for evacuation on …
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