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HISTORICKL Gait TE ES!
Dear Ge General Misenhover:
The significant event to date is that nu have
detonated the first full-scale thermonuclear device. This took
place on October 3lst, .ashington time.
This was an experimental
device which demonstrated that a thermonuclear explosion is
feasible.
it will y»robubly be a year before we will be able to
test the first deliveravle thermonuclear weapon.
rom early and incomplete evaluation of the results,
the yield is estimated roughly to have veen approximately
10 megatons, that is, ten million tons of INT equivalent.
If
the more precise and lengthy methods of measuring yield, which
are now in process, confirm the above yield, the detonation
exceeds whet we had anticipated.
The islund of the Atoll which was used for the shot
~~ Elugelab ~~ is missinj; and where it was there is now an under-
water crater of some 1500 yards in diameter.
No significant fall-out of radioactive contamination
has occurred.
As a precaution against fall-out, Joint Task Force 132
had evacuated the ftoll for the shot. The personnel have now
returned to the Atoll.
Present plans call for the conduct of the second and
final detonation of this operation not earlicr than, but probably
TW manent
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ay,
In a consultation with the President yesterday it
was his opinion that I should notify you immediately concerning
the weapens test proj:ram which is being conducted at the present
time at Eniwetok.
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