COPY = SUBJECT: Report on Soil and “iatcr Sampling Mission © collectcd at approximately 1200 M, 6 March 1954. Instrument readings with the MX~5 showed a maximum of 3 mr/hr, however this was not considered reliable, since a iigher scale showed a lowcr reading. c. AILUK ATOLL. The ship reached this atoll at approximtcly 1600 M, 6 March 1954, and slowly moved to an anchorage off Ailuk Island, the most heavily populated. The lagoo has not been swept, and numerous coral heads and pinnacles provided considerable hazard to ship movement, The landing party moved ashore by whaleboat without difficulty, and agzin obtained water samples from the most promin- ent cistern and soil samples from random unshcltecred spots. Readings with the MX-! showed approximtely 3 or/hr (off the 2 mr scale). An AN/FDR-27E showed a high reading of 7 ar/hr, howevor, ona different scale a reading of 12 or 15 or/nr was obtained. The HX-5 roading is probably nearest correct. No significant variatia-e were dctcetcd on bare fect or clothing of individuals, Samplcs and readings were taken at approximtely 1700 M, 6 March 1954, dad, MEJIT Island. This single coral island is also surrounded bya recf. a3 is JEMO, but landing wis possible with a whaleboat, duc to an arca protected f.L the surf, The island was found to bo heavily populated in view of its sizco, the :otal number of people being 327, according to the island magistrate, Soil and water samples were taken as in the previously described manncr, at appromimtoly 1300 M, 7 March 1954. Readings with tho MX~5 showed maximum of approximtely 3 orfhr (off the 2 scale, but approximately 1.5 on the 20 scale); the mximum readin; with a PDR 27 E was 10 mr/hr. twWO6« 2. CONCLUSIONS. The true figure was probably somowhero between the Low level (less than 10 mr/hr) radiation mcasuromert s with ficld instrumcnts of the type used are highly unsatisfactory. Ono MX=5 and three AN/PDR 27 E instruments all showed widely variant readings on different scales, and varied among cach other when cxposed to the same radiation, An AN/PDR T1-B proved completcly useless not holding to zcro even after an hours warm-up, and also showing widely variant readings on diffcrent scales, 3. RECQLOENDATIONS. Landing parties in islands such as JEMO and LEJIT shouldc be provided with a rubber 6-man or @man pneumtic boat, to provide greater safcty to personnel and equipment, This will permit landing directly on live coral reefs with less danger of the boat being stove in, Ships assigned to such missions should draw such cquipmcnt prior to departure, Lh. The sucecssful accomplishment of the mission was greatly facilitated by the intercst and onthusiasm of tho Commanding Officer of the USS RENSHAW, CDR L, H. ilford, USN, and his officers and men, Their matcrial contributions were noccssary to the mission, however, the many valuable suggestions and assistance in solutions of problems proved invaluable. SAN BRUNO FRC /s/ R. D. Crea, R. D. MAJ, CREA USA SS a” ‘