Activities.
‘‘1 March 1954.
Viewed shot at 0645L from bathhouse.
Looked di-
rectly at light, was prepared to shield eyes with towel if it became necessary. Ate
breakfast. Wore class X clothing (short trousers, T-shirt, shirt, cap, socks and
shoes). Supervised some maintenance on power units and reefers. Hadlunch. After
lunch, noticed reduced visibility. About 1430L, sent out message regarding reading of
automonitor. By 16001 fallout had increased to the point at which particles could almost
be seen falling. Visibility had decreased to 3 to 4 miles and air appeared to be extremdy
hazy. Took shower about i630L. Had dinner at 1800L. During the day drank water and
juices. Stayed outdoors practically all day. Had fungus infection in left ear, so I did not
go swimming. Went to sleep in tent on windward shore of island. Stayed in tent all night.
2 March: Got up and washed about 0630L, wore long-sleeve shirt and trousers, cap
and shoes. Had normal breakfast. Visibility had improved noticeably. Gray dust covered all buildings and trees. At 1030L, received message from Headquarters, WREP to
cease all operations, except radio communications and to stay inside buildings. Complied
with message as much as possible. Had no lunch but drank grape juice from refrigerator.
At 1230L eight men, in alphabetical order, were flown out to Kwajalein. During after-
noon drank more grape juice.
Took shower at 1530L.
Wore same clothing.
Crew washed
mess hall building with salt water hose inside and out. Stayed in mess hall most of after-
noon. I was evacuated with the rest of the detachment on the second trip at 1800L. Did
not wear a film badge at any time. Spent all my timein the living area after the shot.
There was at least one badge on the buildings and at least three airmen wore film badges
in the living area at all times. ’’
LA MAGNA, G. R., Pfc,414
Duty. Night duty, Army group.
Activities. 1 March: Slept from 1230 to 1400 (night man of Army group). Remained
in tent area until chow. Took shower outdoors, after chow. Slept from 1930 to 2230. On
duty in Army area from 2230 until approximately 0100, while other two Army personnel
were sleeping. Moved to weather building after 0115, 2 March, and spent remainder of
night there.
2 March: Spent most of time around housing area.
Clothing.
hat shoes.
Shorts only until 1500-1530, 1 March.
Food and Drink.
Ate evening meal 1 March.
Changed into long clothing, with
Ate breakfast and part of lunch, 2
March. Drank water from five gallon tins located in Army area.
Fallout. Noticed fallout when awakened at 1400, 1 March. By evening ‘‘looked like
a sheet over tent.’? Material observed on surface of all buildings and equipment, both
out~ and in-doors, i.e., tables in messhall, etc.
After chow, examined fallout material under microscope. ‘‘ About same size as
sand particles. Under microscope sand particles appeared solid—fallout particles looked
like crystals.
Material not soluble in water on microscope slide.
Crystals had rough
edges.’
La Magna was present when fallout material was observed to cause cathode tube to
glow. He also observed that the material glowed in the dark.
Film Badge. None. Film badge hangingin tent.
Evacuated. In second group (1800, 2 March).
Note: Graduated June 1951 from Brooklyn College, School of General Studies
(small business major). Discharge date: 12 August 1954.
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