( CQMPT SUBJECT: , Report on Soil and ‘hter Sampling Mission collected at approximately 1200 M, 6 March 1954. Instrument readings with the MX-— showed a maximum of 3 or/hr, however this was not considered reliable, since a higher scale showed a lower reading. ce AIWK ATOLL. The ship reached this atoll at approximtely 1600 M, 6 “arch 1954, and slowly moved to an anchorage off Ailuk Island, the most heavily populated. The lagoo has not been swopt, and numerous coral heads and pinnaclos provided considerable hazard to ship movement. The landing party moved ashore br whaleboat without difficulty, and agnin obtained water samples from the most promi ant cistern and soil samples from random unsheltered spots. Readings with the MX-! showed approximately 3 mrfhr (off the 2 mr scale). An AN/PDR-27E showed a high reading of 7 ar/hr, however, ona difforent scale a-reading of 12 or 15 or/nr was obtained, The MX~-5 roading is probably nearest correct. No significant varlatior:< were detected on bare fect or clothing of individuals, Samplos and roadings wore taken at approximtely 1700 M, 6 March 1954. d. MEJIT Island. This singlo coral island is also surrounded bya recf, -3 is JEMO, but landing wis possible with a whaleboat, duc to an area protectod fr: the surf, The island was found to be heavily populated in viow of its sizo, the sotal number of people boing 327, according to the island magistrate, Sofi and water samples were takon as in the previously described mannor, at approximtoly 1300 M, 7 March 1954. Roadings with tho MX-5 showed maximum of approximtely 3 arfhr (off the 2 scale, but approximately 1.5 on tho 20 scale); the maximum readin; with a PDR 27 E was 10 orfhr. Tho true figuro was probably somowhere botwoen the SWO6s , 2. CONCLUSIONS. Low levol (less than 10 mrf/hr)radiation measuromert s with fiold instrummts of the type used are highly unsatisfactory. Ono MX-5 and threo 4N/PDR 27 E instruments all showed widoly variant readings on different scales, and varied among cach other when exposed to the same radiation, An AN/PDR T1-B proved completoly useless not holding to zero even after an hours warm-up, and also showing widely variant readings on different scales, 3. RECOMMENDATIONS. 4. The successful accomplishment of the mission ws greatly facilitated by be provided with to personnel and with less danger should draw such Landing parties in islands such as JEMO end MEJIT shoulc a rubber 6—man or @-man pneumatic boat, to provide greater safcty equipment. This will permit landing directly on live coral reefs of the boat being stove in. Ships assigned to such missions cquipment prior to departure. sho interest and enthusiasm of tho Commanding Officer of the USS RENSHAW, CDR L, H.. ilford, USN, and his officers and men, Their matorial contributions were noccssary to the mission, however, the many valuable suggestions and assistance in solutions of problems proved invaluable. /s/ R. D. Crea R. D. CREA MAJ, USA ——_ ve ry '