PRIVACY ACT MATERIAL REMAVEG
CHAPTER XIII
RUNIT ISLAND
General Activities of Co "E" 532nd EB & SR
The first echelon of Company "E" landed on Runit Island on 29
December 1947.
This group was part of the advance echelon which
arrived on 24 December 1947 on the USS Yancey.
Runit Island of Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands, is approximately
two miles long and averages 500 feet in width.
Atoll, Appendix 3).
(See map of Eniwetok
It is of typical coral formation with no point on
the island over 10 feet in elevation with the exception of a shallow
edge which was about 18 feet high that had to be removed to render it
flat.
Coconut trees were at one time cultivated on this island and
at the time of arrival of the detachment from Company "E" these trees
covered most of itsarea.
On 30 December 1947, Lt war with eight men of his Pioneer Platoon
arrived to assist Lt JR.
Within the next two days practically the entire company had
ie ee
be
arrived making a total strength of four officers and 135 EX.
Lt. Gy
alla. Commanding Company "E," was appointed Island Commander as an
additional duty.
Found on the island on their arrival were several wartime
structures, mostly Quonsets, built by the Navy.
They were in vary-
ing stages of disrepair and decay but all of them could be repaired
and put to use.
However, additional structures would be necessary.
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Section Vib
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PRIVACY ACT MATERIALREM™ED