1.2 FOCUSING THE NTPR PROGRAM. The early history of the NTPR program, like the beginnings of many other organizations, can be traced through memoranda drafted during the initial months of the effort. Most of the documents discussed in this section were written by or to Vice Admiral Robert R. Monroe, U.S. Navy, Director of the Defense Nuclear Agency from March 1977 to August 1980 and principal architect of the NTPR. DNA responsibility for the NIPR officially started with two memoranda dated 28 January 1978 and signed by John P. White, Assistant Secretary of Defense, Manpower, Reserve Affairs, and Logistics. One of the documents, addressed to the Director of DNA, made the agency responsible for the following tasks and "for any others that may develop" (4): e Develop a history of every atmospheric nuclear event that involved DOD e Identify the radiation monitoring control policies, procedures, and requirements that were in effect. e Assemble a census of personnel at each event. Identify their location, movements, protection, and radiation dose exposure. @ Make this information available for scientific review and appraisal. e Handle public affairs matters in cooperation with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs). @ Handle Congressional Affairs matters in coordination with the Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs. personnel. These tasks evolved over time, as indicated in section 1.3, but they were the basis of the NTPR effort. The other 28 January 1978 memorandum was important because it gave the DNA Director "authority to task the Military Departments and other DOD elements and components" in responding to the assignments. This document was sent to the Secretaries of the Military Departments, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Under Secretaries of Defense, among others (5).