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STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum ¢
TO
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UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
: Omdr. P. F, Pankhardt, USN,
vnief, Continental Test Section, Test Branch
DATE: October 1, 1957
Division of Military Application
Gordon M. Dunning, Chief, Aadiation Effects of Weapons Br., TMA
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SUBJECT: SURVEY OF ENTAZTOK ISLAND
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This is in reference t our telephone conversation of Friday,
September 27, 1957.
Recently, it has come to my attention that about 10 of the people
rehabilitated to Rongelap Atoll have established permanent living
Quarters on the Island Eniaetok,
It was our understanding when
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developing the radiological and biological data, resulting in the
recommendation by the Atomic Energy Commission that the Rongelapese
cold be returned to their home island, that the permanent abode
for all would be on Rongelap Island.
It is imcterative that we obtain the pertinent data on contamination
of Eniaetok Island at the earliest possible date. We need to assure
ourselves and also to be in a defensible position if the Question
should arise in the United Nationsa elsewhere. The collection of
DOE /SA~ 28
BY H.R. SCHMIDT, DATE:
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CORFIRMED TO BE UNCLASS TE LED
From past data it could be inferred that Eniaetok Island has a
greater contamination than Rongelap Island but good data are lacking
for Eniaetox,
such information is a responsibility of our Division. However, those
in charge of this program do not feel that a survey can be made before
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request the Division of Military Application that they ask the
to the one
Eniwetok Office t6 make a gamma dose rate survey similar
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made on Rongelap Island in June 1957, just prior to the return
survey, but
the Rongelapese. I recognize this is not an adequate
it will give us some information.
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AUTHORITY
The only other solution that I can think of is to
December 1957.
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situation in June when
As you recall, we were faced with a similar
until
was not planned
we were surprised to learn that a resurvey
time, we asked the
after the return to Rongelap Island. At that
Eniwetok Office to
the
Division of Military Application to request
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