.
.
on March 1, 1954.
C6
(
_
.
Following detonation, unexpected changes in the wind structure
deposited radioactive materials on inhabited atolls and cn ship of Joint Task Force
#7 which was conducting the tests.
Radiation surveys of the areas revealed injurious
radiation levels; therefore evacution was ordered, and was carried out as quickly as
possible with the facilities available,
Althouth the estimated accumulated doses
to human beings were believed to be below dangerous levels that would produce lasting
injury or mortality the Commander of the Task Force requested assistance of the
Depurtment of Defense and the United States Atomic Fhergy Comuission,
A medical team
was requested which would be organized to provide the best possible care of the ex
posed persons and to make a medical study of the exposures.
The responsibility for
organization of the medical team was shared between the A.med Forces Special Weapons
Project D. 0. D. and the Division of Biology and Medicine, United States Atomic Energy
Comission,
Since speed was essential and since the United States Navy Medical De=-
partment had experienced personnel evailable at the Naval Medical Research Institute
and the United States Naval Rediological Defense Laboratory, the Surgeon General of
the Department of the Navy was requested to provide assistance,
He promptly complied
and directed the organization of a team from the two above mentioned oratories.
had the privilege to be the director of this team,
I
Within a period of three days equip-
ment was assembled and packed and the team was airlifted to the Marshall Islands
arriving on the 8th day after the explosion.
The interim care and study of the ex
posed individuals had been ably taken care of by the limited medical facilities of the
‘United States Raval Station, Kwajalein, I an pleased to call attention to the fact
of the very high degree of cooperstion between all government agencies concerned and
to the mmerous individuals wo selflessly gave of their time and efforts,
The mm
ber is large and due credit and acknowledgments are given in the official report of
the incidence published by the United States Government Printing Office and listed
in reference (1).
‘NATURE CF THE EVENT AID DFESCRIPTICN CF THE EXPGSED GRCUPS
The radioactive raterial fell on the inhabited atolls of Rongelap, the heaviest
DOE ARCHIVES
c
34