. on March 1, 1954. o Cor O Following detonation, unexpected changes in the wind structure deposited radioactive materials on inhabited atolls and on ship of Joint Task Force #7 which was conducting the tests, Radiation surveys of the areas revealed injurious radiation levels; therefore evacution was ordered, and was carried out as quickly as possible with the facilities available, Althouth the estimated accimulated doses to human beings were believed to be below dangerous levels that would produce lasting injury or mortality the Commander of the Task Force requested assistance of the Depyrtment of Defense and the United States Atomic Energy Comnission. A nedical team was requested which would be organized to provide the best possible care of the ex- posed persons and to make a medical study of the exposures, The responsibility for organization of the medical team was shared between the A.med Forces Special Weapons Project D, 0. D. and the Division of Biology amd Medicine, United States Atomic Fnergy Commission. Since speed was essential and since the United States Navy Medical De~ partment had experienced personnel evailable at the Naval Medical Research Institute and the United States Naval Rediological Defense Laboratory, the Surgeon General of the Department of the Navy was requested to provide assistance. He promptly complied and directed the organization of a team from the two above mentioned Uboratories. had the privilege to be the director of this team, I Within a perfod of three days equip=- ment was assembled and packed and the team was airlifted to the Marshall Islands arriving on the 8th day after the explosion. The interim care and study of the ex posed individuals had been ably taken care of by the limited medical facilities of the ‘United States Naval Station, Kwajalein. JI am pleased to call attention to the fact of the very high degree of coopernztion between all government agencies concerned and to the mmerous individuals wo selflessly gave of their time and efforts. The num. ber is large and due credit and acknowledgments are given in the official report of the incidence published by the United States Government Printing Office and listed in ‘reference (2). ‘NATURE CF THE EVENT AMD DFSCRIPTICN CF THE EXPCSED GRCUPS The radioactive material fell on the inhabited atolls of Rongelap, the heaviest DOE ARCHivre 37