Foreword More than thirty-six years have passed since the Marshallese people of Rongelap and Utirk were accidentally exposed to radioactive tallout following the detonation by the United States of a powerful thermonuclear device called "Bravo" at Bikini, March 1, 1954. The repercussions of this accident have been widespread. This was the first time that a human population had been seriously exposed to radioactive fallout andthe — carefully documented findings have formed an important basis for action in other typesof accidents involving radioactive fallout, the most notable being the recent reactor accidentat Chernobyl in Russia. Medical teams from Brookhaven National Laboratory, sponsored by the Departmentof Energy (DOE), formerly the Atomic Energy Commussion (AEC), have visited the Marshail Islands regularly since 1954 to examine and contribute to the medical care of the Marshallese. The medical findings have been published in numerous Brookhaven National Laboratory reports and in medical journals (see References, Section A).* I headed the medical teams from 1956-1979. In carrying out these examinations, the medical teams were faced with many problems and dilemmas, someof which were unforeseen and unique to a medical group. Some of the problems were related to‘cui- our attempts to cope with some of the problems that developed. The medical findings will be referred to only briefly because they have been published elsewhere in great detail. (Section A, References.) I first went to the Marshall Islands during World WarII as a navai medical officer. The Solomon Islands campaign had just been completed and we were on our way to the Marianas Islands for landings at Saipan, Guam, and Tinian. Myfirst sight of Kwajalein and Enewetak revealed the smoldering ruins from the invasion. Little did I realize that I would return to these islands for many years. Asa navai radiological safety officer, I returned to participate in Operation Crossroads at Bikini, and later, in Operation Greenhouse at Einewetok. However, my real interest was in the biomedical effects of radiation. I took a course in radiation physics at the University of California, followed by a year’s training in radiobiological research at Argonne National Laboratory. Later, I continued this research at the Naval Medical Research Institute and,stiil later, at Brookhaven National Laboratory when my tour of duty with the Navy ended in 1955. I participated in the initial examinations of the Marshallese-in19286, andfrom195Gtuntil my retirement in 1979, I was responsible for orga- tural differences, and to the lack of understend:»Nise nizing the continuing medical surveys. Fora — ing by the Marshallese oftadiation-andits~ effects, resultingin unfounded fears andpay=*'' chological effects. Other prdblems were related to displacementof the people,socioeconomis. disruption, and increasing resentment against the United States with political involvement and demands for compensation. Nevertheless, the medical teams and the Marshallese people developed a strong feeling of mutual respect and friendship in spite of these problems, and the people have expressed their gratitude for the benefits rendered them.In this report an attempt is made to review, in an informal, narrative style, some of the highlights of events that occurred, the humaninterest aspects, and "The references are divided into two sections: A Selected Technical Reports and B. Other References, including some of the numerous mass media articles. " SOO Lhe short period after my retirement, Hugh S. Pratt -- and Eugene P. Cronkite headed theprogram. Since thattime, the progratyhasbeerably han- dled by William H: Adams and Fhave drawn on his reports for findings since my retirement.