the force to permit organization of Task Group 7.2 was in process. (Note: For detailed
information on Staff problems see Staff Special Reports, Annex 1, VO1H of this Report.)
The system of security clearances was in effect and overall security policies had been
promulgated.
Procurement of supplies and equipment for the initial force at Eniwetok and for construction at Kwajalein was in progress, based on earlier estimates for these projects. At
the outset the Joint Task Force had proceeded on the premise that the most economical
and practical method for providing administrative and logistical support was to work
through the existing command channels of the Armed” Services. Commands principally
involved were Commander in Chief, Pacific and Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet; L’S
Army, Pacific; 7th Air Force and the Pacific Division, Air Transport Command. Western
Ocean Division, Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army, at Sausalito, California,
through the Chief of Engineers, was the Task Force agent for procurement, construction
and negotiation of certain contracts, The Naval Supply Centers at Oakland and Port Hueneme, California, and the San Francisco and Seattle Ports of Embarkation were selected
as the Zone of Interior shipping agencies for the Task Force. The Naval SUPPIYCenter
at Pearl Harbor, T. H., supported the Task Force at that echelon.
To insure the proper movement of the initial force forward (the 1220th Provisional
Battalion), Admiral Wellings had departed Washington on 17 October 1947 and remained
at Pearl Harbor during the period this force was organized until it sailed on 15 November
1947.
During the period of organization and equipment of the initial force, USARPAC was
drawing on its own funds. As time went on the Commanding General became increasingly concerned over this matter. Aware of this predicament, Joint Task Force Headquarters in Washington exerted every effort to speed the c]earance of funds. On 23 October
1947 the Atomic Energy Commission was able to transfer five million dollars to the Navy
Department, which was the agency designated to handle the allotment for the operation.
With this action, the Staff Fiscal officer walked the necessary papers through the Governmental finance channels, namely the Genera] Accounting Office and the Treasury Department and on 25 October 1947 the Task Force became solvent. On 31 October 1947 the
AEC transferred fifteen million do]lars to the Navy Department for the Joint Task Force,
thus completing the transfer of funds, since the figure twenty million dollars was the estimated cost of the military Services’ support.”
General Barker, J-3, had decided to issue the operating plan in the form of a Field
Order. A draft of this order with four of its Annexes was ready for General Hull’s approval. With certain modifications this order was approved, published and distributed as
Field Order Number One on 14 November 1947.
November 1 had been set as the target date for finalizing service test requirements.
The urgency attached to this project was occasioned by the necessity of procuring required
materials and allocating shipping space to them for movement to the site. This date was
not met due primarily to three factors: The high security classification of the information desired; the lack of adequate direct liaison with the concerned Service agencies which
resulted in the unfamiliarity of the SeVices with the purpose of the test; and finally, the
I{
JCS
179516, See
Section g for additional details. This estimate was substantiallyreduced.
36
Ui#MT