OFFICIAL USE ONLY
construction forces, providing quarters and subsistence.
The Manager,
AEC ENIWETOK Branch, requested the Commander, Military Sea Trans-
port Service, to assign Mr. Harold Berg as Master of this supporting vessel,
This request was based on Mr. Berg's familiarity with the waters
around RONGELAP, his intimate knowledge of beaching conditions (these
!
a"
were not favorable) for an LST, and his outstanding cooperation in past
projects at ENIWETOK.
In early December 1956 another reconnaissance of RONGELAP was
made to determine conditions then existing.
Houseflies and mosquitoes
were found prevalent at the proposed construction sites.
Air-spraying the
islands of RONGELAP and ENIAETOK was later successfully accomplished.
By message on 21 December 1956 the DMA advised all interested
parties that a decision concerning the return of the RONGELAPpeople
could not be expected prior to early January.
|
On 26 February Holmes & Narver received a copy of a message from
the Assistant Director, Test Division, addressed to CJTFSEVEN, which
read as follows:
"Return of Marshallese natives to RONGELAP approved by parties
concerned.
Request LST required to lift construction material from
CONUS to ENIWETOK; to lift construction workers and materials
from ENIWETOK to RONGELAP; to act as station vessel at RONG-
ELAP during constructions; and to lift natives from MAJURO and
1-17
OFFICIAL USE ONLY