DRAFT
3
25 Nov 47
RELOCATION
WEAPONTESTING
_ President Trumansigns a directive for the removal of natives from Enewetak.
Secretary of Defense Robert S. Lovett recommendsthat the forthcoming news release
on the selection of a proving ground at Enewetak ought to mention that the natives
are not nowliving in any historic home but instead on islands 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 a site for proving
grounds because it has the fewest inhabitants to care for and is isolated. The U.S.
governmentwill transfer the Enewetak inhabitants to sites they will select and will
reimburse them for the lands utilized. The AEC explains that the establishment of
these proving grounds is necessary to provide a suitable area to verify by
experimentation “indicated results" of laboratory studies. Bikini is unsuitable for such
testing because it lacks sufficient land surface for the necessary scientific information.
21 Dec 47
RELOCATION
The Navy moves 145 Enewetak inhabitants to Ujelang prior to U.S. testing
nuclear weapons at Enewetak.'®
31 Jan 48
RELOCATION
Ona visit to Rongerik Leonard Mason, a University of Hawaii anthropologist,
and James Milne find a critical food shortage affecting the Bikinians."°
14 Mar 48
RELOCATION
” The Bikini evacuees are moved to a temporary camp on the Kwajalein Navy
16 Apr - 16 May 48 «.
WEAPONTESTING
The United States conducts three nuclear weapon tests at Enewetak as part
of Operation Sandstone.'*
28 Apr 48
ADMINISTRATION
The AEC goes on record as desiring that Enewetak Atoll be retained as a
permanent proving ground for nuclear weaponsafter the completion of Operation
Sandstone.’
18 Jun 48
CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP
The House of Representatives and the Senate establish a joint congressional
committee of 12 members to recommendlegislation to administer the Pacific Islands
trust territory and
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