about 17 November 1947 aboard
a convoy of the following vessels:
USAT Coastal Cruaader, LSD 19 (USS Comstock), LST 45, LST 219 and
LST 611.
The advance detail from the ships debarked early on the
29th of November 1947, the day of arrival at Eniwetok, went ashore
on the main island to increase a troop mess and living quarters
ashore for the Battalion.
The first LST also beached on 29 November
to be unloaded while the convoy anchored in position for debarkation
in Eniwetok lagoon.
Day and night unloading of LSTts continued. until
the last one was completed.” On 1 December 1947 all troops of the
1220th were ashore.
Rehabilitation of Eniwetok island was begun immediately.
The
18th Engineer Construction Company, then part of the 1220th, making
preparation for the arrival of the maintédy of troops from the U.S.,
about 25 December 1947.
The semi-permanent Nissen huts which covered
about ninety percent of the building areas on Eniwetok island, except
for the existing airdrome, had suffered severe deterioration fron
rust, some to a point beyond practicability of repair.
Warehouses
and storerooms containing material marked "China" afforded-some pro-
tection, but these too had been subjected to damage by the high humidity, salt spray and the elements in genefal.
Only in rare instances
were buildings fomd in a condition to afford immediate occupancy.
The majority of the huts, shops, warehouses and other buildings required extensive rehabilitation including rewiring, painting, new
doors, and sash, etc.
SECTION Vieb
4