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»{sennower: ' Papers
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Pres-
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ident, 1953-61 (Ann Whitman )
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Approximately 25 nuclear shots, together with five or rore safety tasts, may
E required during the year. ‘the first nuclear covice would be detonated on
or about May 1, 1957, and it is estimated that all nuclear shots would be
| Sheed in a period of the order of five months, The ezfety tests, from vhich
no nuclear reaction is expected, would be fired on an "26 needed" basis
throughout the years
the operation would be designated PILGRIM.
So as to avoid hazard to partici-
pants or the public, shots will be limited in yleld, will be fired only under
favorable weather conditions and will be implaced so ar to minimize local
falloute Larger shots of the series will be detonated generally at higher
altitudes than those for past shots of comparable yield. ‘The expected local
fallout froa such shots should be reduced materially thereby.
It is not possible at the present moment to specify exectly what shots are to
be fired. This information ia now being developed by the laboratories which
are studying intensively the detailed results from HEDWING end laying their
plans for PILGRIM.
It is our intention, however, to finalize a schedule as
earlyas possible and immediately thsreafter to request your approval for the
expenditure of the necessary special nuclear materiel,
In the meantime, it is necessary that major preparations proceed,
These in=
clude the mobilizing of forces at the proving ground and the inauguration of
neceseary construction, Importantly, teo, it should involve the informing of
the public in the area and others possibly affected, such ss the photographic
induetry, of the timing of our series,
We request your approval, thersfore, for the conduct of the tests on the
scale end in @ ranner ag we have described above, As feo0n as practical after
receipt of your approval, it is our intent to issue a brief public announcement as to our plan for the conduct of tests at the Nevada Test Site during
calendar ysar 1957,
Respectfully yours,
ConseSimeon
Chairman
The President
ree
The White House
I approve the conduct of Operation PIEGRIM on the ecale end in the manner
soutlined above, end authorize the iscuance of a suitable public announce-
‘ment of plans for tests at the Nevada Test Site during calendar year 1957,
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De
fe
.
Lt2eOng
OF
acaacauaed FECL 8 1956
“ne above approval by the President is subject pores
to
e tests proposed will be held cepa
t all
asoasd iter; Co Tonet; USATIiny
°
DEG 2 § 1658
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REPRODUCED AT THE DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER LIBRARY
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