eeeoe local time the radiation monitoring instrument began recording a steady rise in radioactivity. At 14:03 the needle swept past the extremity of its scale at 100 milirads per hour. ( 44 p. 6) All personnel donned extra clothing and remained inside the tightly shut building. The heat, humidity, and anxiety inside must have been tremendous. building. Outside, a radioactive "rain" was falling on the aluminum Gamma rays were penetrating the metal of the house, and the clothing and flesh of the people inside. They also penetrated the steel sides of the refrigerator, registering a total of 38 rads on a radiation badge inside. One badge left outside later registered nearly 100 rads. Within 12 hours after "Bravo" had exploded the second decision had been made. Ships of the Task Force turned east and headed for Rongerik. Sometime past midnight, the ships, cautiously prowling near contaminated waters, ghosted past Rongelap and Ailinginae. On the morning of March 2, 1954, contact was made with the 28 Americans on Rongerik. By 11:15 a.m. eight men had been evacuated and by 16:45--or34hoursafter "Bravo" exploded--the remaining 20 military personnel wereaboardship and headed away from their now radioactive island. RONGELAP, AILINGINAE, UTIRIK At 05:53 a.m. on March 1, on the islands of Rongelap and Sifo (Ailinginae Atoll) several people noticed an unusual reddish-yellow glow in the western horizon; several minutes later they heard the dull roar of an explosion as the true sun brightened in the east. Some 180 miles to the east in the "Ratak," or "Sunrise" chain, and about 15 minutes later, the people of Utirik Island, Utirik Atoll, heard the muffled 80