DRAFT
3
25 Nov 47
RELOCATION
WEAPON TESTING
President Truman signs a directive for the removal of natives from Enewetak.
Secretary of Defense Robert S. Lovett recommendsthat the forthcorping news release
on the selection of a proving ground at Enewetak ought to mentiog that the natives
are not nowliving in any historic home but instead onislands to
Which U.S. forces
moved them during World War Ii."
1 Dec 47
RELOCATION
WEAPONTESTING
The AEC announces the selection of Enewetak Atoll as site for proving
grounds because it has the fewest inhabitants to care for and is igplated. The U.S.
government will transfer the Enewetak inhabitants to sites they
wil select and will
reimburse them for the lands utilized. The AEC explains that thefestablishment of
these proving grounds is necessary
to provide a suitable ama to verify by
experimentation "indicated results” of laboratory studies. Bikini is ugsuitable for such
testing because it lacks sufficient land surface for the necessary scieftific information.
21 Dec 47
RELOCATION
The Navy moves 145 Enewetak inhabitants to Ujelang pridr to U.S. testing
nuclear weapons at Enewetak."*
31 Jan 48
RELOCATION
Ona visit to Rongerik Leonard Mason, a University of Hawai anthropologist,
and James Milne find a critical food shortage affecting the Bikiniang."°
14 Mar 48
RELOCATION
base.”
The Bikini evacuees are moved to a temporary camp on th Kwajalein Navy
16 Apr - 16 May 48
WEAPONTESTING
The United States conducts three nuclear weapon tests at Hnewetak as part
of Operation Sandstone.”
28 Apr 48
ADMINISTRATION
retained as a
The AEC goes on record as desiring that Enewetak Atoll
permanent proving ground for nuclear weaponsafter the completi n of Operation
Sandstone.’
18 Jun 48
CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP
The House of Representatives and the Senate establish a jofnt congressional
committee of 12 members to recommendlegislation to administer tlle Pacific Islands
trust territory and