f
@
STANDARD FOR ny 00
Wha
tal
é
Office Me..corandum +» onrre. states GOVERNMENT: ©
TO
:
Those listed below
DATE: September 3, 1954
Via-Shedby—Thoupson;~Acting-Director,,
FROM :
Dizision-of~InformationServices <*~
R, L, Southwick, Acting Chief
SUBJECT:
JAP FISHERMAN'S CONDITION
SYMBOL:
Public Information Service
[
ISP:RIS
U.S. news services are inquiring whether the crew menber of the
FORTUNATE DRAGON who suffered exposure after the March 1 test can
be called the "first H-bomb fatality" in the event he dies, The
attached news dispatch carried by UNITED PRESS, you will note,
uses this expression,
We would appreciate guidance in this matter. It is my understanding
from previous discussions with Dr, Bugher that the jaundice is dus to
blood transfusions given the patient, not to irradiation. However,
correspondents undoubtedly will use the "first victim" expression on
the grounds that ths man would not have been subjected to transfusions:
if it had not been for his exposure so that he is a victim of the
H-bomb,
If this man gets tagged as the first H-bomb victim (andI do not
see how we can prevent it) the propaganda damage will be considerable,
especially in view of the fact that the Japanese will now have the
"credit" for baing the first victims of the A-bomb (Hiroshima and
Nagasaki) and the E-bomb,
Any suggestions you have for handling this sitwution will be most
welcore.
Attechrents
UNITED FRESS story 9/3/She
Addresssess
ce:
.
.
Dr. John C, Bugher, Directar, Division of Biology & Medicins
Brig. Gen, Ke E, Ficlds, Director, Division of Military Applicati
John A, Hall, Chief, Office of Special Projects
.
XK. D. Nichols, Ganeral Manager
~