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numerous islets strung around on the protecting reef. The island of Majuro is located on the southern side; it possesses an
excellent harbor and an airfield had been
built on it during the war.
Majuro was a Japanese possession but
was not defended during the war, and so
the occupation of the island was relatively
peaceful and Majuro became an important
advanced naval and air base for subsequent
operations supporting the progress of American forces toward the Japanese home islands. Because of its southernly position,
Majuro Island presented a more tropical pic-
The main street on Rongelap Island. There are
no paved roads or vehicles.
adequate schools and other facilities were
in shocking contrast to the new missile in-
stallations.
ture than the sandy islands of the northern
Marshalls. Landing on the old military air
strip in the Navy amphibious plane, the is-
land appeared green and verdant with tall,
waving palm trees. The headquarters of the
Trust Territory was located on Majuro and
the only other U. S.installation was a Coast
Guard weatherstation.
Later, on trips to Majuro, Rongelap and
Ponape, it was evident that the way oflife
Utilizing several of the old Nissen huts
which served as the Majuro Hospital, examinations on about 30 adults and children
the Marshall Islands has been completely
altered by a series of events over which
remained on Majuro after their evacuation
of most of the 18,000 natives populating
they had no control. First occurred the JaJ-
panese occupation and the savage conflicts
of World War II which practically destroyed
several of the largest islands. Then the ther-
monuclear tests on Eneiwetok and Bikini
with the subsequentfallout problem. Now the
advent of the missile range and the feverish
activities of thousands of military and space
personnel has created new and even greater
difficulties. The Trust Territory officials are
well aware of the problems andare struggling
manfully to improve conditions. Fundamental projects involving medical care, schools,
teachers and agricultural instruction are in
progress but are greatly handicapped by
grossly inadequate funds.
MAJURO
Following the examinations on Kwaja-
lein, the schedule called for a visit to the
island of Majuro. On February 28 the survey team was flown to this island about 200
miles southeast of Kwajalein. Majuro Atoll,
the most southern of the Marshalls, is com-
posed of the usual lagoon surrounded by
November, 1962
S0121 14
a2
were carried out. Some of these natives had
from Rongelap in 1954. The examinations
were carried out over a two-day period and
on March 3rd we flew back to Kwajalein.
On the following Monday, March 5, we
boarded the 500-ton cargo ship, the Ron
Annim, a ship engaged by the Trust Terri-
tory to travel around to the various atolls
carrying supplies, equipment and passen-
gers. The ship also picked up copra collect-
ed by the natives which constiiuted the principal source of income for the Marshallese.
Also on board were our medical and other
supplies and equipment, along with 50 barrels of water and 8 of gasoline.
The Ron Annim was a very crowdedship
and after we left the protection of the island
and proceeded out into the Pacific, things
began to get rough.
However, most of us
were good sailors and by mid-morning the
next day Rongelap Atoll was sighted. Navigating the ship through the Pass into Ronge-
lap Lagoon was a tricky business and the
dark-blue shadows of coral heads indicated
trouble if the ship strayed off course. But
Captain Don Davis was an expert skipper
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