Core uf Firest Post Olrice San Franciusco, GLarornie DDE 498: VLM: GVA: wk He-l Serial: 001 5 Mar 1954 From: To: Commanding Officer Commander, Task Group 7.3 Subj: Evacuation of Rongelap and Ailinginae Atolls on 3 March 1954; report of Ref: (8) CONTASKGROUP 7.5 Disp 0208482 of March 1954 b) COM JTF SEVEN Disp 0212252 of March 1954 Encl: (1) (2) (3) Passenger lists of evacuees from Rongelap and Ailinginae Atoll Radiological statistics reported by monitor teams, Rongel @ and Ailinginae Atolls . ; Location of water cisterns, Rongelap Island 1. In compliance with reference (a), the PHILIP got underway from Bikini at 2145M on 2 March and arrived and anchored off Rongelap Island in the lagoon at 0730M on 3 March. A PBM-5A (VP-29) aircraft, No. 2085, piloted by LCDR WELCH which previously had been dispatched from Kwajalein anchored about 100 yards off the beach of the same island shortly before the PHILIP anchored, Prior to anchoring, the PBM, in good radio com- munication with the PHILIP, made a thorough reconnaissance flight around the atoll. Also on departure the previous evening, the Commanding Officer of the PC 1546 offered much valuable navigational and general information which was of great help to the PHILIP. 2. The beach party including the Commanding Officer, Executive Officer, Radiological Safety Officer and a three man monitoring team proceeded from éhe PHILIP in a motor whale-boat to the PBM and picked up Mr. Marion WILDS, civilian representative of the Civil Administration Unit, Marshalls Trust Territories of Pacific Islands, and Oscar DeBrum, Marshallese in- terpreter. The beach was such as to allow an easy close-in landing with- out danger to the boat. 3. The party was met at the beach by John, the Magistrate of Rongelap. Monitoring of the island commenced immediately, On the basis of initial readings it appeared obvious that evacuation was definitely in order. The Commanding Officer, U.S.S. PHILIP presented Mr, Wilds with the gen- eral picture based on monitoring information, and on being informed that Commander Joint Task Force SEVEN had stated that the aotual evacuation should be reauested by trust territory officials, Mr. Wilds was very emphatic regarding the need for evacuation, Through the interpreter Declassified Don PIR 3200.10 Declassif,. | ENCLOSURE (1) 5%