DRAFT

10

Describing the condition of the evacuated Rongelapese, the |TF-7 commander

reports, "Many complained of stomach aches and

headaches faccompanied by

- vomiting on first day with similar sysptoms [sic] to lesser degreejon second day.”
Five days later Gen. Clarkson, the task force commander, challenges
this report by
Stating that the latter is based on Rongelapese statements and that medical personnel
observed only one person vomiting.
The people from Rongelap and Utirik want to know wherg they can return
homeandare told "that it would
in approximately two to four
weeks” with final
answerafter surveys determine whetherit is necessary to keep therm evacuated until
the end of the Castle operation. The Rongelap and Utirik people alko are concerned
about their animals. Because Clarkson determines that it would be Jess expensive to
replace the animals later than care for them now, the task force commander expects
no action to supply food and water to these animals. Some of
money underneath their huts, and the conferees state, "Care will

the evacuees left
taken to insure

that any re-entry parties do not disturb the natives’ belongings.”
Captain Haight of the AEC/DMA reports that physical exa inations of the
evacuees show satisfactory health and no symptoms o radiation si¢kness as of this
ate.

Gen. Clarkson assures Adm. Clarke and the T.T. representative “that the Joint
Task Force would stand any expense from Task Force funds over afd above normal
Naval or T.T. expenses" for such items as rations and interpreters] pay and would

evacuate by air anyone stricken with radiation sickness to Tripler

Hbspital.* _

6 Mar 54

RADIATION

Bugher advises Alfred J. Breslin at JTF-7 that there is no limif for the number
of soil samples to collect from the Marshall Islands area exposed fto Castle Bravo
fallout. Bugher is particularly interested in ruthenium’ and strontim” and *.
8 Mar 54
RADIATION

Dr. Herbert Scoville, technical director of the AFSWP,leads a JI'F-7 radiological

survey team measuring the gamma dose rates in soil and water frqm
Castle Bravo
fallout at Rongelap and Utirik Islands. The milliroentgens(mr) per houf at waist height
average 375 at Rongelap and 40 mr per hour at Utirik.””
9 Mar 54
RADIATION

Because of the 2 March detection of contamination pf Bikar Atoll,
approximately 300 miles east of Bikini, Scoville’s survey team measures 160 mr per
hour waist-high from the soil at Bikar island on unpopulated Bikar Atoll in the
aftermath of Castle Bravo.™

10 Mar 54

MEDICAL

PLUTONIUM
RADIATION

The Scoville survey team, measuring waist-high from the soil, ffnds an average

outside dose rate of 280 mr per hour at Enewetak Island, Rongerik Atpil, and 100 mr

per hour at Sifo Island, Ailinginae Atoll--all rates resulting from the

shot.

Castle Bravo

Dr. Thomas L. Shipman receives local approval to collect and analyze urine
samples from the natives and air weather personne! exposed to the Castle Bravo

Select target paragraph3