Preface and Acknowledgments
THe Unperraxrneof the care and study of the
human beings accidentally exposed to fallout
radiation following the March 1, 1954, nuclear
test detonation in the Pacific represented the
first instance in which study of a large group
of irradiated human beings was possible soon
after exposure. Although the physical estimates of dose received by the individuals exposed to fallout radiation were thought to be
sublethal, precise knowledge of the relative
sensitivity of human beings to penetrating ionizing radiation was lacking. Accordingly, in
addition to the initial medical team, provisions
were made for a second echelon of specialized
personnel in case they were needed. A preventative medicine unit of the Commander-inChief, Pacific fleet, was alerted for possible bacteriological studies; blood bank personnel, and
additional clinicians and nurses were notified
in case conditions justified their services in the
Kwajalein area. Rear Admiral Bartholomew
Hogan, MC, USN, Pacific Fleet Medical Officer,* promised full support of all the medical
facilities of the Pacific Fleet were they deemed
necessary. With the preceeding planning it
was felt that any medical problem, regardless
of the severity, could be promptly and adequately handled in thefield.
The personnel for the team were obtained
within the continental limits of the United
States from the Naval Medical Research Institute and the United States Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory. From the former, four
medical officers, E. P. Cronkite, R. A. Conard,
N. R. Shulman, and R. 8. Farr were obtained.
Two Medical Service Corps officers, W. H.
Chapman and Robert Sharp, were also obtained from the sameinstitution. In addition,
six enlisted men, C. R. Sipe, HMC, USN; P.
K. Schork, HMC, USN; C. P. A. Strome, HMC,
USN; W. C. Clutter, HM, 1/C; R. E. Hansell,
*Now Surgeon General, U. 8. Navy.
Iv
HM 1/C; and J. S. Hamby, HM, 2/C were
provided. From the Un
States Naval Ra-
diological Defense Lab$ratory, one civilian
physician, Doctor V. P] Bond; one medical
service corps officer, Lt.
Gom. L. J. Smith; and
four enlisted men, W.
Gibbs, HMC, USN;
J. C. Hendrie, HM, 1/C4W. S. Argonza, HM,
2/C; and J. Flannagang HM, were supplied.
The Division of Biology {nd Medicine, Atomic
Energy Commission, ser
two civilian physiclans, Dr. C. L. Dunhafn then Chief of the
Medical Branch and Dy G. V. LeRoy, Con-
sultant and Special Repfesentative of the Di-
rector of the Division. The Armed Forces Special Weapons Project supplied one Army medi-
cal officer, Lt. Col. L. E.
Browning, MC, USA.
All personnel were expq@rienced in the study
of radiation injury:
The preliminary studges performed by the
Medical Department of fhe Naval Station at
Kwajalein were under the direction of Commander W. S. Hall,
, USN, the station
medical officer and his sfnall staff who are to
be commended for an excpllent job.
Upon arrival of the mddical team, it became
quite evident that, becaus§ of the large numbers
of radiation casualties angl
the huge amount of
work involved in collectigg data, that primary
responsibilities for varios phases of the study
would have to be delegated
in order to obtain
the necessary informatiog for biological assay
of the degree of injury. In the initial phase,
hematological surveys
and establishment of
clinical records on each inflividual were emphasized. Dr. V. P. Bondj organized and ana-
lyzed the results of the daily blood studies. Lt.
N. R. Shulman, MC, U§$N, with the capable
assistance of Mr. John T
the Trust Territory, and
shallese nurse, as interpfeters, undertook the
establishment of medicalf histories and initial
physical examinations.
As the clinical picture