C . . a a a af f te . , eae cp Og ct UNTPED STATES ATOWIC ENERGY COMMISSION 409623 —- Washington 25, U.C. INFORMATION FOR THE PRESS No. 74 December 22, 194.7 | | Tel. #k. lole Bre. 307, 308 FOR RELEASE 7:00 P.M., EST WONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1947 . ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE UNITED STATES ATOMLC ENERGY COMMISSION RELATIVE TO THE ORGANIZATION AND STAFFING OF eNIWETOK PROVING GROUND BEST COPY AVAILABLE The United States Atomic snergy Commission today announced the organization and svaffing of the Commission's proving ground at mniwetok for routine experiments and tests of atomic weapons. The scientific and technical operation of the proving ground will be the responsibility of the Atomic “nergy Commission. These operations will provide now fundamental date and a brouder understanding of nuclear fission which will facilitete penceful as well as militeury applications of atomic energy. Tho Comnission's responsibility will be discharged by a scientific group draw Llergely from the: Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory operated for the Commission by the University of California. Dr. Derol a. Froman of the Los Alamos Scicntific Laboratory will be the Secicntifie Director of the proving pround. Dr. Fromen wiil be assisted by Dy. Alvin C. Graves, deputy director, and Mr. Robert 33. Henderson and Dr. John G. Clark, ussistunt seientific directors. Dr. Fronan's group will opernte under the Atomic Enorgy Commission through Captain Jomes 8. mussell, USN, of the Atomic encrey Commission Division of Wilitury Application. COoptuin Russell is responsible to the Atomic Energy Commission for the technical operation of the proving, ground. He will also sorve OG Comaunder of the Scicntifiec Group of Joint Task Force Seven. His duputy will be CoLoncl Poul T. Preuss, USAF, also of the Atomic snergy Commission Bivision of Militery Application. Tho Scervtary of Defunse has dosignited Lt. General Jonn &. Hull, yommending Geaurel, U. 5. Army, Pacific, «s Commender, Joint Task Force seven, which is Gb prosent constructing the nuccssery fecilitics and installetions ot bidwctuk. Joint Tusk Force seven wi.l essist the Atomic Gnorgy Commission in the conduct of routine cxpcriments ond tcusts of atomic weapons at the proving ground. Rear Admirel william is. Persons, USN, ana Major General William E. Kepner, USAF, have becn designated oo Depubics to the Commander, Joint Task Fores Seven. Brig. General Claude ti. Forwnubaugh, USA, hus been pamed Chik j* otaff of the Joint Tosk Force. REPOSITORY _ an conection Sab W- $/ - dik to. af | ae 39-324 — YS- 007 nse pore 20_Canys: ln- my) th FOLDER SrmmitKEW