410
Cadr, P. F, Bankhardt, USN,
Chief, Continental Test Section, Test Branch
Division of Military Application
36
Ootober 1, 1957
Gordon M. Dunning, Chief, Radiation Kffeots of Weapons Br., DMA
SURVEY OF EWIAETOK DSLaw
SYMBOL: DBM: REw
This is in reference to our telephone conversation of Friday,
September 27, 1957,
Recently, it has come to ny attention that about 10 of the people
rehabilitated to Rongelap Atoll have establishnd permanent living
Quarters on the Island Eniastok,
It was our understanding when
Ceveloping the radiological and biological data, resulting in the
recommendation by the Atomic Energy Commisaion that the Rongelapese
Sos eperesey eden
could be returned to their home island, that the permanent abode
for all would be on Rongelap Island.
Fram past data 1% could be inferred that Entaetok Island has a
greater contamination than Rongelap Ialand tut good data are lacking
for Eniastok.
It in imperative that we cbtain the pertinent data on contamination
of Enxtaetok Island at the sarliest possible date. We need to assure
cerselves and also to be in a defensible position if the question
abould arise in the United Nationsa elsewhere. The collection of
gsoch information is a responsibility of cur Division. However, those
in charge of this progras do not feel that a survey om be made before
Decexber 1957.
The only other solution that I can think of is to
request the Division of Military Application that they ask the
Eniwetok Office tO make a gamma dose rate survey similar to the one
of
mads on Rongelap Island in dune 1957, just pricr to the return
the Rongelapese. I recogn'se this iz not ap adequate survey, but
o
=
it will give us some information.
mn
were faced with a similar situation in June when
ee
ec to learn that a resurveeyy was net planned until
surpris
sn
we wereMorde
}
aske d the
after the return to Rongelap Island. At that time, we
to
“
the Eniwetok Office
Division of Military Application to reques*
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