C z - 0 0 0 w 0 0 ' HEADQUARTERS JOINT TASK FORCE SE VE OF FICE OF THE COMMANDE l WAShlNGTON 25 D C 14 March 1954 lSM03il NDU l FOR 1 CO D SUEJJCT 1 Meeting at Kwajalein on 14 March 1954 Present Major General P W Clark son iear Admiral Clarke Dr LeRoy Dr Dunham Colonel aupin r DU nning mrnan ier Cronkite 2 General Clarkson explained that mth respect to the return of evacuated natives to their home atolls there were three aspects to be consi dereri 1 How long does Dr LeRoy need the natives for medical obser Further hm - soon would Dr LeRoy think they could return to their home atolls provided there wa s no significant radiation lert on the atolls ana no further contamination would be experienced va tion 2 The condition of the atolJsas to contamination assuming there 1rould be no further contamination from succeeding shots I 3 In view or the precautionary measures to be taken in the future no further contamination is expectec Howevar if through some unforeseen happeninI there should be contamination in this area at least there would be no evacuation worries about these atolls if the natives are mt returned to their home atolls until completion of CASTL • Ul E-- en H 4---l c u I General Clarkson stated that based on advice of his medical and radiological safety personnel the Utirik natives could be returned to Utirik at any time that Dr LeRoy was through with them if' 198 were in the situation where there were to be no further shots In view of the contamination levels at Ron elap and the exposure already experienced by the natives frooi that atoll it would be unwise to return them for at lea st 60 days after evacuation even though there were to be no further shots General Clarkson stated that he felt that based on the advice available to him it would be unwise to return any of the natives until the operation was completed an this was his decision afJMF IDENIIM SUBJECT Meeting at Kwajalein on 14 March 1954 4 Dr LeRoy presented the medical aspects in regard to the natives now under his observation at Kwajalein These are cov$red in attached memo prepared by Colonel Maupin JTF Staff Medical Officer 5 General Clarkson explained again that JTF funds would be used to defray adciitional expenses incurred by the Trust Territories and other than normal service support expenses incurred by Naval Station Kwajalein General Clarkson stated that any animals pigs chickens and dogs that were lost to the natives would be replaced He said that he had asked the High Commissioner of the Trust Territories to effect th is replac ment and that the Task Force would stand the expense 6 Admi ·al Clarke stated that he had no problems in taking care of the natives that had not been solved He further stated that he could easily handie the Air Force personnel from Rongerik should they be sent to Kwajalein for medical observation 7 Following the meeting with Adrairal Clarke and Dr LeRoy General Clarkson interviewed a Trust Territory Representative at Kwa jalein £fr Tobin General Clarkson informed Mr Tobin that as soon as Dr LeRoy 1 s group had no further need for the natives for medical observation it was Admiral Clarke's desire to move them to EBEYE Mr Tobin said that EBSYE was crowded and that water supply was not adequate Admiral Clarke assured Ur Tobin that water would be provided and that he felt it was desirable to remove the natives from Kwajalein Island where they necessarily had to be restricted to a small compound He felt that they l' tluld be much happier amoC4sst their own people on EB3Yi Tents have been erected at EB Ll and it is felt that the Trust Territories Representative feels that their present housing on Kwajalein is better than it would be on EB-3 u General Clarkson explained that inspite of this it was felt that it was essential to move them to EB Yi as soon as they need no further close medical observation Ur 'Ibbin was informed by General Clarkson that this must be done 1 Incl Col Maupin•s Memo - ' • '5 - f G · c v S · S 1• J Ir ' j Y J r • S 4 jor General USA Commander _ L EE' 'II G AT l ' 1-l JALEIN 14 1tarch Present 1954 foaj Gen Clarkson Dr Graves P AD1- Clarke Dr Leroy Dr Dun ham Col aupin Dr Dunning Comdr Cronkite Natives from Utirik have shown no abnormalities and none are expected ' l 'hey need be retained no longer as far as Program 4 is concerned Rongelap natives correspond very well from a blood picture standpoint to Japanese groups D E who were about 1 5 miles from ground zero In this group 0£ Japanese 2 to 3 percent lost some hair 107 had sore mouth and 5 had hemorrhages under the skin In he natjves very little expected except in the aged Potentially some may develop symptoms thin the next two weeks There are not beta burns as yet Such burns could appear in the 3rd week following exposure There may be ome e bortions in women in the first three months of pregnancy In the similar Japanese groups about 25 of pregnant women miscarried It is not possible to get information on pregnancy as the natives will not discuss it They plan 3 to 6 weeks findings ir_ observing the Rongelap natives depending upon The medical team is still very desirous cf examining the 1 Ar ericans fr orr Rongelap TheJ· would require one to two weeks · -1particularly the 3 Americans w th 9bR 1ey were told that t 1e 3 hieh aose individuals would be dov n soon and tnat we are av 'aiting word from the A' 'S with respect to the ot i1e r 25 Basic data from the Jericans on metabolism is essential because of inabiJitvto obtain accurate native data and the Americans would give an excellent control group because of constant diet no lane uage difficulty and negative i'indings being important 1·rom a s taLct _ oint 01' la belling ctosa e in hUIJans It was decided that Dr LeRoy and Dr Dunning proceed to fonolulv to talk ri th Dr Bur her in · ashington via telephone to 'ill him in on gaps in data prior to his appearance before tlie cor missio11 li rr eE tin was IJ eld later in the office oi' COl J- V STA K' nJ LEIL with Laj Gen Clarkson Dr Graves P ADl Clarke Col Lau pin Dr iunnin Cc pt Sooy and l r Tobin anthropologist for tl1e Trust Territorv He was told that t11e natives fro c Utiri k could not be returned to Utirik until the end of the series but could be rerr oved to any other place such as Ebeye or luajuro at any time estated that a water shortage existed at Ebeye but was assured by Adm Clarke that adequate water would be provicted shoul6 they move to Ebeye J• ir Tobin was told that it may be seve · l months before the Rongelap natives could be returned 1 _ The date of return after the end of the series will depend upon the radioactivity in t ne atoll Information has been received tnat Dr Bugher approves tne collection of the urine and feces oy the Los Alamos group RAam Clarke stated tnat he coult provide housing 'or this group as well as for tne 2o Americans should tney oe raturnea HE aD l ARTER3 JO US T T ui F0RC V APO 187 HO c o Fl San Francisco Calif lv April 1954 SUBJillT 1 edicel Confe rence at Kwajalein TJ Commanaer Joint TasK Force Seven AFC 187 iiOi 1 c o Fostmaster Sia r1 Francisco c lifomia 1 Conferences were held at Kwqjalein on 5 and 6 april 1954 at which Col Clinton S 1 i aup in k'C I Staff Surgeon J'IF 7 Col Karl H Houghton uSAF Surgeon TG 7 4 CDli i ugene P Cronldte MC U • · Project 4 1 CDF iiiliiam J Hall l C US Surgeon ha l'Sts Kwaj_ Lt Col Louis t Browr ine J C USl-l Surgeon AF F Lt Col G Lr UcDonnel MC USA ifalter Reed Anrcy· -iospit l and other members of Froject 4 1 participa tea 2 The condition progress treatment manageT er t and dispo- sition o a 11 patients having sympto IiS and physical findings due to radiation were discussed in detail a 1 Ci CQ 't J QJ N ' Q I Cl Rongelap natives The condition of these patiEnts is gooe1 at this tfu e The upper respiratory epidemic has been mild and has shown no synergistic action with the radiation symptoms towarQ an overall deleterious ef1ect The epidemic has responded to sin ple outpatient type of coryza treatment There is a slight increase in white blood cell anC1 platelet counts wnich indicates that maxi mum effect of iadiation damage has been seen and that regeneration is tald ng place Most of the skin lesions are subsiding ana i'ew new cases are being seen The most recent sld n manifestations ha ve been on the feet and in general have been more severe then the other types Involvement is on the dorsum of the feet none having been observed on the so Les consisting blister fonnat1 oo ana swelling Following rupture of the blisters des uamation taKes place with aame depigmentation Most of these lesions heal promptly with conservative therapy In general all areas of Skin involvement result in depigmentation and 2 parchment-like appearance 01· the s ldn It Y1a s felt tr at these patients were progressi nE 01' satist actorily and no cha 'lt es in treatment or management were recommended Considering the progress cf these patisits so far it is the opinion of the group that observation or treatment of radiation effects and investigation from a scientific standpoint can be discontinued in about three to four weeks barring unforeseen complications In view of the fact that this group received a dose of radiation which•• marginal from a standpoint o £ severe morbi iity1 justification cannot be made for exposure to significant additional radiation Therefore based on the concept that the recovery period should correspond in time to the permissible dose for accumulation it is recoanended that these patients not be exposed to radiation except for essential diagnostic or therapeutic radiation for a period of eignt yea rs Following compJ etion of this study it is felt that follow-up e nmlnations o f the patients shoul d be made at approximately six month intervals to observe the course of tbe skin lesions epilation and general physical condition It i recommended tha t medical responsibility f'or the natives subsequent to the departure of the Task Force be detenuined so that medical records may be supplied them and recommendation tor toll ow-up may be made I I' b Utirik Natives These patients received a light dose of radiation on the order or lC roentgens They developed no systemic S1ID ptoms nor evidence of bums The investigation ot this group was completed on 29 March and they were released to the custo ot avSta Kwaj who moved them to Ebeye for convenience o ' administration on March 1954 Survey of the islana tor radioactivity at the colIQ 1etion of the test will govern the time or retum If the levele in water food and ut ernal gamna radiation are acceptable no contraindication for their retum will exist Ir on ret um to Utiri k there still ensts contamin tion of an acceptable degree in the low milliroeotgen per hour range 1 it is recommended that these natives be observed during the time that periodic examinations are made of the Bongelap natives -o c Americans from Rongerik and the 3 Navy l -boat operators II This group of patients received a raciiation aose or from forty to one huna red roentgens Their condition is excellent at this time At no time have there been any subjective symptoms The findings Physical Ly have consisted of reduction in the number or white blood cells and platelets of a mild to m derate degree ana recently tl'l-o cases have developed skin manifestations inclicative of radiation bums or a superficial nature No definitive treatment has bem indicated so far nor is any recommend ea It is felt that obser -ation and investigation will be completed on 15 April 1954 by Project 4 1 barring un foreseen 2 b0i'•Jf IDENTt1%t complications In view of the dose received further sure to radiation cannot be justified Based on the concept tnat the recovery period should correspond in time With the permissible dose f'or accumulation it is recommended that these patients not be exposed to radiation except f'or essential diagnostic o r therapeutic radiation for a period of six years It is i'urt her recoanended that the7 be retumed to the U S and sent to a medical center for a complete and detailed medical 110rkup prior to ratum to duty For consistency and tmif'ormity it is felt that all patients regard l ess or service sbouJ d go to the same medical i'acility and that the Walter Reed A llDY Medical Center is the agency best suited to per om the examinations Detailed clinical records will be available to be forwarded to the medical center d Americans from the Ba iroko and Phi Lip Approximately 38 cases of raC1iation bums have developed JOOng t110 ships Film badges indicate that whole body radiation I eceived was less than lOR No subjective systemic s JDptoms have been not ed il i patients are in good condition and the bums are healing causing no discomfort and requiring no treatment These cases are being documented b7 history photography and biopsy It is not indicated or them to undergo extensive investigation by Pl Qject 4 1 No other f'ol lo1r-up is reco nmended Notation will be made in their medical records ot the am unt of radiation received and the write-ups of their case histories will also be incorporated therein It is recommended that C'IG 7 J make the clinical records and documentation available to Project 4 1 to be included in the overall report of radiation injuries t o Task Force Personnel the personnel of these 4 47 s MAUPIN --r -- CLINTON Colonel MC USA start Surgeon ' -_ •r po to oder te amottnt of radiation during the B bomb e zper1ment at 0 Bonolul-a T R for 11et11c31 p -oeediDC prior t o raaaaigmient De -pita ' Ii li I' d' ' Ii r • f r C Ge rd d Ii La Ma n 1 Bro oltlyo T -' 'FL Lor J t'l c I Sirber Pitteti rgr l a • • IJ ' f - t'i •· l - · n iam on ll J eaoh v ·- - f r • i ' · W fOIQIMAPL S lct B 1 • r ·v ADdreva Ba ffalo No ✓ A 10 John J I Aahb7 Oale1'bu rc Ill A lC Lawrence L Asbill Compton Calif ✓ -- 1i111ij1 1 __ i1 11 I 11 ·11' A 10 laaon J Bertolino liola mie _ - ✓ 1 lC Lawrence Bu ahkin 1 Chicago Ill r ✓ n1 A P C Dale A Black El7 'ia Ohio 111iili ✓ ✓ A lC Oris Cacle Nevoart Tenn • - S Sgt Albert R Campbell Midwe11t City Okla I · A 3C Edward J 10 Geno tjl' ✓ A 10 Donald L Baker Concord •· H w o Cooper De1 Moine • Iowa CU rbo Browwood • Texas t__ I I v' A lC Ba 1mond Harm er Tr • Will1 UJ stow 5 J · ··Pl 1 1 J ' ' I 'I WOJG John 4 Kap ral I Westfield Maaa 1 1 H ' I11 ----- A 10 William J Moone7 1 Philadalphla Pa 111 A le Wallace R lleil 1 Kanaae City Mo A 2C Lamont s Sgt a Noley Wilburtoll Okla Richard c V Pettengill Lawrence Mase M Sgt Ronald E Pletech Warren Mimi A lC l Dbert t r Picken• S O l 2C Ja11eo E Scll o11e1or ✓ - In4ia11ap 1_ 1 't Sgt Samuel H Seville Bew Tork w Y · ' V l ------·-·-- --•-- ·----_ _ ---- ·- I ------ ·- _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ • - • • - • - ·• 'I • 1 ' ' I'I I ·- t •·· __ _ _ _ _ _ _ ' l l f t f 9 - ------------· i • f I ' 26 1ay 1$56 Chi et' of Stall AC of 8 1 J-4 uJJECT sta r t Visit to Majuro on 25 Mq l On 24 1 7 several Jllelllbers ot the staff visited Rongola p Atoll t r 8Pec· t' e cond i tion ar bu 1 l dinga cistems and equipment i- bandoned hy ··e Ro 1gelap natives when they were evacuated during CAS'J 'T A nu __• totoc -aphs were made 2a la a followup to tJla visit to Rongelap a group viu ' ted Majuro n 2 1 a7 to inspect the condition of the camp now occupied by t 1e 1gel np natives and to discuss plans for the return of tho ne ti' ns to ' gel up on the cOJIJpletion o f REDWING The grollp was c ompr i cGC ·is o ' lowm From CJTF SEVEN Captain Coleman Colonel Thor pscm L- •Joler £· ay1 -ir mri AGC Pa ham J-3 DivisionJ Colonel Fleming Lt Colonel G1 2 - J •-livisionJ LTJO ller1 J 1 Division Major Harwell J e Div f i rn h9 cllotc ng persons were from the agencies imlicated Lt Color el 3clt ' itU r• r 'l'an H u-dison TG 7 5J Lt Colonel Bowen Transportation Officer• 1'G 7 2 c n Farr and TO 7 RepJ Hr Frank Kirk TG 7 5 1Y and H s'Jr cin• c s F F lotographer m 7 4 The group arrived at Majuro about llOOM and were met by llr Nm -- a ju -o District Administrator tor the Trust Terr Ltories Part f the µ·c-u r cceded by boat to TIT Island where the Rcmgelap natives to- r li•7e t s asked Captain COleman to make a statement to the Rongelcp iattve i i3trate giving briefl1' the p upose of the v is 1 t The at e ta T ent 1-ra s a e thro·igh an interpreter in substance a a follows z The group desired to see the condition n i rlgs where the Rongel ap people are D0' -1 living a ot the Ill ' 11 j I 11· 11 nti 'ii '6-- li ii i q I 1 I I I II I 11 i i I l - cuses and sm·- · I 1 I1 I' b Plans •Aere being made to return thm to their hc- ie Int the i e of return is not knolm c Hr Neas would e sk them in the near tuture to ti ve iim an lca1 ion of how mm7 of t ham desired to return to Rongelap so that a ca-1 te 1•reparation could be made to provi de acconrnodations equi- alent to 1- - se they have now 1 4 H SOT Painter took photoeraphs o r the houses now occ i• Jd ' Jy t 1e r gel zp natives These photographs will be aTailabla tor ary f·Jt c-e i L n i s specially in Mp rd to t he disposition ot these houses Sc The group returned tl OIII Jif to DAR RIT Island Captain Colel a11 lor el Flaming Lt Colonel Sclmittke Lt Colons1 Gray Lt Colonel Raymo ' d r m Reller Mr K1rk1 Mr TOIi Hard1scm and Mr Neu were joined by rx 'i ' _ ' J tM F J 1hiei' of Sta ff' C o£ S J --4 St f Visit to Majuro on 5' JJECT1 2S Ma y ilyron Eanders Aseistmrt District Adrllinistrator This l' l'C'i - dis t sse1 the lJ ' neral oituat 1 on and plans for the ret um af the m ti tain oleir an stated to Mr Beast aa prelim1n r'7 bac PI ound to tte dis uss L m that the AE C planned a survey upon the completion t RECLoJJ r Q o e a f' t r -tl1e Radsaf'e condition of Rongelap A toll before thtt nati •es r 1--a retu r ' ed --es 60 The following or po lnts were ccmcludecl as bei '1G es sent a l tc pc in plnns and preparations tor the return of the nati -es to R p j_ r- a A censua 1s needed to determine tha r mber o ' ii - - ·1 ne r e iirs - return The population should be indicatao Y f LJ y · w iu fr i ch -rlll require housing rather than a total ag re eir ce e e st lra - 'Ji 1' q Lrements will depend upon the number and aii a o r i'f iil i s 5a'I' l t · s 1 greed that Mr Neas would obtain this in for - i t ion s ioon s s pr c- ic1ble end advise tJtl s Headquarters Thi a inf'c -maticr - ill te fo • pla ning purposes by C J'l'F SEVEN AF C and Holmes nd UE rV' · b The conclusion from the inSJBction of ti•o hol se· s n EJIT Island 1-1as that they' are in excellent condition consitarir g t ey were cons··jru cted over two • ago These houses are bu t · of 1 Jods i 'r2 1 e co- e -ed by plywood siding and tin roofing It would r t t racti l to ci3n'3 lt1e these '1ousea and reconstruct them In new f tre lab 3r c t 0£ dtemntling and probable damage to the material it 1·oc1d e l'Dre prac' ica bls to buy naw material and assist in reconstru t ir g iaw r its on Rongelap In addition the buildings at Majuro will i'E o eat v 11 t o the 'l'ruet Territory- Administrators c A p Jind D l J' cC11Struction survey should lie ech at Rcng- 1 t ot REDWING This 1 '11 3hmlld nch- 1 re _ re9entativee rem H H Am the District Ajministratoi - -n i the O els n e 1 •-es The J 1 1J'Tl0Be of this surrey is to examine the ar a f r r il x J l 7 a gro 'P early lfter the completion w ' ion of buildings It is understood t hat there havei been 002 change 3 r n-1 ' ersh i p o£ lam among the Rongelap natives since their cp1 ·•4 o 'fr-- ttip uo• il d provide Ii UCh valuable infor ma tion for detailed ls Lw1g la • d The AEC ls planning to conduct a radiological T l o£ hs l onge S p area at the co q letion of nEDWI tn This will ins· ·a h 1t tl i Ca is still saf'e for the ratum 0£ the natives It wo s c r l- ' 1a ed tty · he m that the reBUl ts of this survey would require two 1 l'lL - s to t C cr -if rr ted • i hen e Upon the completion or the prel Lu nar - const i Ction - Jt'IT'rty a --id tt e requirements baaed upon the population census he rt- 'Jeen J• or ' LJG J H N uuat pntpare and furnish to the A C and CJTF SEV EJI c 1 cost estin-te for the new constrtlction on Rongelap 2 • Chief' ot Sta rf AC of s '-4 Staff' Visit to Majuro on 2S May - -1 i Jill-1 1''0R 3JBJECT £ A ship v1ll haw to be prarided tor this operation It appears that an L 5T would be very suitable and adequate for transporting the onstruction JTBterial to Ronplap and for carrying the natives fron Hajur - t o Rone el ap Veey probab separate trips 11111 i e required g l N should prefabricate conpments as much ae practicable t Parry prior to shipping with a view toward using native labor to assi irt ·in the final erection of the buildings at Rongelap ' l h The f'ollow lng additional factors should be gjver consicierc tio future planning Native labor should be used as much as prc ticable eas estimated 20 to 30 effective laborers could be obtair ef from 1- 1 1 · _ oneelap t ·o'U1 2 An 1nitial supply of' food must be providec to susta r he colony until it has been re-established on a self-suata i ning basis 3 During the prelim i naey construction surve r spec al ttention should be given to the condition of' the boats whid were at-an · med by the Rongelap people when thS7 were hastily eva cuat Hi durmg - r STL E r these boats cannot be repaired consideration m ft be gi v-e o assist ng in their replacement It is apparent that the e people rm - t ave boatso 4 If the people are relocated durine the dry season s1 J icient water must be provided to 'ill the cisterns ·which trill havo to ·' le ·_ rt of the rehabili tat ing programo lit S During the Odyssey of the Rongelap people only ons · 1rson h2 a died so far This man was buried on EJIT Mr Neas believes - 1at th ey will desire to bring back the body with them fo • reburial at ·• mgele p 7 In accordance with oral instructions from the Chief of Sta ff l ill now have cognizance of matters pertaining to the rovement of 1e Ror ge ap natives uack to their native island J-3 ulll mke available J-4 any· in formation needed for this planning now hel by _T-J --w M CX LFt N Captain U s lar r Deputy AC of S J-3 3