Harold "Harry" A. Rumzek, Enewetak Atoll (1977)

Introducing a series of narrative articles about the Atomic Cleanup Veterans of Enewetak Atoll.

The following are first-hand accounts told by comparatively few survivors of the Enewetak Atoll Atomic Debris Cleanup Mission, Marshall Islands; a mission that took place from 1977-1980. Their stories appear as told to T-M Fitzgerald(published author, veteran, veteran advocate) because theirs are tales needing to be known.

Read - H.R. 5980: Mark Takai Atomic Veteran Healthcare Parity Act

Introduction: “Where in the World is Enewetak?”

Enewetak is just one of many atolls and islands in the Pacific Ocean’s Marshall Island chain. Located about 2,365 nautical miles SW of Hawaii (just north of the equator), the Marshall Islands were once a major testing ground for nuclear weapons post WWII. This island chain is also home to the project called Cactus Dome, a 350’- wide blast crater located at the northern end of Runit Island that has become known as the ‘Nuclear Trashcan of the Pacific.’

Between 1948-58, forty-three nuclear weapons were detonated over Enewetak and its sister islands. Among these tests were ‘Ivy Mike’ and ‘Castle Bravo’ (a device 1000X as powerful as the bomb ‘Little Boy’ which was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan post Pearl Harbor.)

In 1977, a coalition of United States military forces and civilian support teams were sanctioned to ‘clean’ the islands of residual radioactive fallout. Men, many who were mere teenagers back in the day, were tasked with cleaning the contaminated fallout from the nuclear testing that occurred throughout the previous three decades. Keep in mind, that as recent as 2012, the United Nations reported that the cumulative effects from all that nuclear testing had effectively caused near-irreversible environmental contamination. There was a problem beginning in 1977 and currently, effects from that exposure have begun to manifest, taking toll on many surviving Enewetak vets and contractors today. Four decades later, survivors are telling their stories because the world needs to know.

Personal story by Harold "Harry" A. Rumzek

Branch: Air Force (Regular Officer) Specialty: U.S. Air Force Element Commander Location: Enewetak Year: 1977-78

Quote:“Freedom has been provided to the American public by our Veterans. Despite this, we who sacrificed during the Cleanup of Enewetak Atoll are considered to be unimportant by those Agencies who sent us! Has our welfare and health been sacrificed in vain?”

“What did I know about Enewetak before this mission? While serving as a U.S. Air Force (USAF) Major in the position of Foreign Training Officer, Air Training Command, Sheppard AFB, TX, I received orders for a six month temporary duty (June 1977-February 1978) “by name” assignment to become the initial USAF Element Commander of the 6015th Support Squadron at Enewetak Atoll, Marshall Islands. My response was, “You’ve got to be kidding. Where??? Enewetak APO SF 96333?”

This selection was made by the Air Base Wing Commander at Hickam AFB in Hawaii, Colonel Howard O’Neal, a former superior. I have nothing but total respect for my supervisors and those I supervised because they were the best of the best. I believe this choice was based on my integrity, dedication to duty, and demonstrated capability of filling highly demanding positions which required full personal acceptance of responsibility. They knew when provided the responsibility and authority, and appropriate resources, I would complete the mission in an efficient and effective manner, and on a timely basis.

Why was I selected for this duty? I believe the reason I was personally select for this assignment was because my immediate supervisor, Colonel Howard O’Neal, knew me to be a person who could not be intimidated. I had never been a “yes man”, and anyone who knew me understood, “Never ask him a question for which you cannot accept the answer.” I remained committed to the task at hand regardless of the challenges encountered until convinced by a consensus of opinion that there was a better way. I served in both the enlisted and officer ranks so I understand why it is ultimately important that trust is placed in our subordinates as well as our superiors. Due to our respective missions, USAF treats our enlisted personnel diversely different from the way other services relate with their troops. Few realize this is vital because our guys and gals remain reasonably safer behind the lines than we who fly their aircraft into combat. I am fully aware of the personal integrity; acceptance of responsibility; commitment to duty, honor, and Country; and the consequences of contingency and nuclear weapons delivery.

As a B-52D Navigator, I performed flight training and nuclear alert duties at Ellsworth AFB, SD (1964-1967); as a crew member on the B-58A Hustler, worlds first Supersonic Mach-2 (21 miles per minute) Bomber, I performed flight crew and nuclear alert duties as Navigator-Bombardier, Flight Instructor and Standardization Evaluator at Bunker Hill/Grissom AFB, IN (1967-1970); and as a Navigator/ Bombardier and Flight Instructor, I perform flight crew and nuclear alert duties in the B-52D at Carswell AFB, TX (1970-1972). Additionally, I flew combat missions over Southeast Asia from Anderson AFB, Guam. We were the first B-52s to fly a mission over North Vietnam (1966). I became a highly decorated combat veteran during my second and third combat tours which were completed from Thailand. A total of 158 combat missions were flown over Southeast Asia (1970-1971). During my assignment at Mather AFB, CA, I was recognized by Colonel O’Neal because of my accomplishments. I served as a Flight Commander in the Navigator-Bombardier Training Squadron and supervised several other instructors. Then, as Program Director, we created an 11-week B-52G simulator training course which replaced a 9-month flight training program.

We became one of the first flight schools to complete all flight training in a simulator to duplicate an actual aircraft flight. I became a Major, and was honored to be one of five selected from a small group of navigators to be assigned as Commanders of operational squadrons. Because of my experience as both enlisted and officer, I believe that we are promoted from below, not from above, because our records are created by our people. I became a Student Squadron Commander at Sheppard AFB, TX, and in turn the Wing International Training Officer. Knowing little about leadership and management, my subordinates educated my on the right way to get the job done efficiently and effectively, and I compensated their efforts accordingly. They did not work for me, we accomplished like goals!

What was my assigned duty? The following comments refer to the Defense Nuclear Agency, Washington D.C. 1981, book, The Radiological Cleanup of Enewetak Atoll. As the initial U.S. Air Force Element Commander, my assignment was to command 88 eight persons, also assigned “by name” from 44 locations worldwide. We initiated operations, prepared facilities, formulated operational procedures, and performed our assigned duties to support the DOD Defense Nuclear Agency Radiological Cleanup of Enewetak Atoll, Marshall Islands. My responsibility was to manage seven major functional areas to support 900 military, government agency, and civilian contract personnel assigned to Field Command, Defense Nuclear Agency. I operated under the direct supervision of Colonel O’Neal and reported to both he and Lieutenant General Bell, Commander-In-Chief, Pacific Air Forces, at Hickham AFB, Hawaii, HI. They provided me with the responsibility and authority to fulfill USAF requirements, were continuously updated on what was transpiring during Enewetak operations, and fully supported our USAF personnel.

What was my duty there? My purpose as USAF Element Commander was to support the mission, albeit I had minimal knowledge of my subordinate’s operational procedures to produce successful results. Thus, it became my responsibility to support my superior teams as they performed their assigned duties. Most important decisions, whether related to USAF or other agency operations, were made by my managers, and in turn fully supported by myself. When implementing a task in the prescribed manner, regardless of what it was or who was involved, it became my decision, and I would go to battle to achieve acceptable results. Accordingly, I did not appreciate others challenging the integrity, credibility, and/or decorum of myself or my people.

An adversarial context surfaced in many of our relationships with the Joint Task Group Commander (JTGC). Because of my allegiance to my personnel rather than to the JTGC or to his staff members, our contingent can proudly state that we completed our responsibilities in the best possible manner to bring credit upon ourselves and the U.S. Air Force during our tenure on Enewetak Atoll. Specific instances relating to our disagreements were reported to my immediate Commander and CINC PACAF concerning each encounter, and on those occasions, they supported me and concurred with my operational decisions. It is important to note herein that we Army, Navy and Air Force Commanders were able to conduct our daily operations with each other, and in coordination with all involved agencies, despite the interference of the Joint Task Group Commander and his staff.

Despite my junior rank, I represented the USAF Element to provide necessary support to other agencies, and I was not under the command of any other individual or entity other than my superiors at Hickam AFB, HI. (Review Organizing the Joint Task Group, pp. 162-165).

We were separated from our families and relocated to a hostile environment. The equipment we were provide was considered ‘salvage’ but at home it would be considered to be junk; review pictures of the equipment the being were used in the field. The temperatures were always around 100F and humidity was about the same. Living conditions were barely tolerable and our schedules normally included working seven 12-17 hour days every week. Housing was limited to assigned personnel, and no overnight visitors were allowed to billet on the island. One three-story concrete barracks and a large metal warehouse is where military members housed. These quarters were very hot and humid, and only provided a minimum of necessities.

After a few weeks my USAF airmen built their own refuge, including a bar, and miniature golf course. The initial cadre of Army personnel on Lojwa slept in tents as they would in combat conditions, and sustained themselves in a like manner. It also took some conditioning to adapt to the chlorine in our potable water which was distilled from sea water (possibly contaminated?) from the lagoon. Comfort was not a variable in this environment, and a restful night’s sleep was a seldom acquired luxury. More importantly, we needed to work as a team, work as one, regardless of rank, service, or agency. One of the few positives was that the dining halls provided excellent food on a daily basis. I will forever treasure all of our military troops for their loyalty to we Commanders and dedication to their tasks. Likewise, I will always remember Chief Johannes Peter of dri Enewetak people (Photo) and the friendship and respect we has for each other. He was one of the most intelligent individuals I have ever had the opportunity to know. He was empathetic toward us and shared with himself with us when tragedies occurred.

The Air Force acknowledged its responsibility for programming and managing Enewetak Atoll Communication facilities in February 1976. On 15 June 1976, seven USAF enlisted personnel from the 1961st Communications Group, Clark AFB, and Philippine Islands arrived and spent six weeks rehabilitating the antenna system (p. 148). On 16 March 1977, a USAF Communications installation team with replacement equipment arrived on a USAF Military Airlift Command (MAC) C-5 to provide reliable radio communications at the atoll (p. 150). The former Defense Communications Service Terminal was relocated and the new communications facility rehabilitated. This team redeployed to Yokota, Japan, on 15 May 1977. The initial Joint Task Group (JTG) staff members were deployed on 5 April 1977.

The USAF Communications team began operating the new system on 16 May 1977. Three voice circuits and one automated data circuit, using 10-kilowatt high frequency transmitters, came online on 16 May 1977. Additionally, phone service was provided for agencies for official business, as well as to individuals for calls to their families at home. Several medical evacuations were necessary during our tenure which required all three voice circuits. I was required to contact, Travis AFB, Hickam AFB, and Clark AFB, concurrently to identify and send the closest possible transport aircraft.

The coordination of operations in such an austere environment by NCOIC, MSgt Petrie from Homestead AFB and his team was instrumental in getting our tasks accomplished in a timely, effective, and efficient manner. Unfortunately, because no charts of buried utilities were available, a major inconvenience was the cutting of phone lines and plumbing pipes by those conducting those operations. This team did a superior job, not only in providing viable communications, but also in handling every challenge we faced in the initial stages of the Enewetak Atoll cleanup project. MSgt Williams from Davis Monthan AFB replaced the initial NCOIC.

The USAF Airfield team landed on 10 May 1977 and was operational in five days (p. 155). On 15 May 1977, another C-5 offloaded four UH-1 helicopters and other critical U.S. Army equipment. On the same day the a U.S. Navy petroleum ship delivered diesel, gasoline, and aviation fuel to top off the fuel tanks at the Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricant (POL) facility. And, on 17 May 1977, our USAF Medical, Postal, and POL teams arrived (p. 156).

I’m not sure when MSgt Aldridge, the Radiological Laboratory NCOIC, arrived. He was unlike my other USAF personnel. Rather than a 6-month temporary duty tour, he served a one year permanent change of station tour. I must admit, due to the complexity of his function, I know very little about his duties and understand even less about his role on the atoll or his reporting chain of command. Accordingly, I do not find it appropriate to discuss this operation.

D-Day for the project was 15 June 1977. The USN Element Commander, LtComdr Hopkins arrived on 7 June 1977 to assist in the Military Sealift Command delivery of scheduled cargo. The U.S. Army Element Commander, Lt.Col Lee Tucker, and myself, Maj Harold Rumzek, arrived at the Enewetak Island Terminal on 14 June 1977. We Element Commanders had a bed, bathroom, and an air conditioned room. Routinely, we worked late into the night to coordinate our efforts for the next day. The only other air conditioned facilities were those where cooling was essential to sustain their equipment. The newly selected Joint Task Group Commander (JTGC) initiated operations on 17 June 1977.

From 17 June 1977 until 30 November 1977, I had the pleasure of working with 88 enlisted persons, identified as the best qualified persons in their career fields, from 44 USAF locations worldwide. They were also serving in “by name” assignments, and most held the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-5), Master Sergeant (E-6), or Senior Master Sergeant (E-7). My Personnel Technician was SSgt Elwood.

The USAF Airfield team was responsible for operations at a desolate airfield, Enewetak International Airport had a grass hut for a terminal. There was no runway lighting, tower, or navigational aids available. Likewise, we had no aircraft refueling capability. Our NCOIC was TSgt Parrot from Travis AFB. Routine weekly USAF flights of approximately 2600 nautical miles normally arrived from Hickam AFB on Wednesdays, unloaded assigned personnel, passengers for a short tour of our Enewetak Island facilities and lunch; and delivered mail and cargo. Then, the aircraft, normally a Military Airlift Command C-141, would proceed approximately 400 nautical miles to Kwajalein Island, Kwajalein Atoll, and Marshall Islands. The aircraft would be refueled and serviced there, and the crew would billet there overnight. On Thursdays, the route would be reversed, and departing personnel, mail, and cargo would be transported to Hickam AFB. Periodically, VIPs or high ranking military officers would visit to oversee our efforts. Our Airfield team was responsible of all airlift passengers and cargo transported to and from Enewetak Atoll. When necessary, we coordinated the landing of medical evacuations. Although, this may not seem to be difficult, you should have been there when we landed a U.S. Marine C-130 one night during a rain storm using vehicle lights and our personal radios to communicate with the aircraft crew for approach and landing. The four USA UH-1 helicopters also operated from this airfield for transport duties, but more importantly to the retrieve troops who experiencing emergencies either in the lagoon or other islands on the Atoll.

The USAF Medical team, supervised by NCOIC, MSgt Carter, established a first aid station in Barracks 462 which was used as a dispensary until a larger facility was completed. Medical clinics on Enewetak and Lojwa Islands became available during, my tenure and a USAF Flight Surgeon and medics provided services at these locations. Our medics handled numerous situations and performed procedures which were well above their classifications, especially in emergency situations and/or those involving major medical interventions or fatalities. They also assisted a dri Enewetak mother who encountered birthing difficulty. Due to the environment, in addition to handling work related injuries, many arguments evolved into fights resulting in personal injuries. Our closest hospital, located on Kwajalein Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, was accessible to us for medical evacuations only.

The USAF Postmaster was SSgt Goolsby from Johnson Island, Johnston Atoll, also known as Kalama Atoll to Native Hawaiians, which is an unincorporated territory of the United States. This NCO and his assistant were responsible for the operation of APO SF 96333. Sorting of mail in the post office requires two persons to be present. I also became certified to perform this task as a backup. This facility was not air conditioned until after the Postmaster found approximately $3000.00 worth of stamps unusable because the glue melted. SSgt Bunton from Hickam AFB replaced the initial Postmaster.

The USAF POL Team was headed by TSgt Gilbert from Homestead AFB. He was responsible to ensure that all necessary products were available to all users. His team serviced and maintained the facility, as well as coordinated the logistics of receiving and delivering the petroleum (including JP-4), oil, and lubricants to all users participating in cleanup operations. When he recommended I disrupt helicopter operations for safety reasons because contaminated JP-4 fuel was identified, we were highly challenged because the responsible parties questioned the need for providing the necessary fuel filter to eliminate the problem.

Our Air Force personnel were transported from and to the Enewetak Island pier to their destinations by U.S. Navy (USN) personal supervised by the USN Element Commander, LtComdr Hopkins. Boston Whaler twin outboard engine watercraft were utilized to transport supervisory individuals, the Landing Craft Utility (LCU) boats were used transport equipment and troops, and Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM) or Landing Craft Mechanical boats were designed to carry vehicles, as well as personnel. The LCU and LCM operators could be assigned to either the USN and USA and their operators were from their respective services. During the construction of the concrete repository, these Landing Craft were the primary means of transport of dirt and debris from the test sites, as well as those who loaded, transported, and unloaded this material. Also, they were cleaned, as directed, with lagoon water (possibly contaminated?).

Our USAF Field Radiation Support Team (FRST) arrived on 28 June 1977 (pp. 165 & 166). The 4-day basic radiological indoctrination course in Hawaii was later deemed to be unnecessary, and after January 1978, all Enewetak-related training for replacement FRST personnel was accomplished on the atoll. Subsequent to arrival, a 3-week specialized training course in local radiological hazards, the method of cleanup, and the instrumentation peculiar to their Enewetak mission was planned. However, it was interrupted for an urgent on-site investigation of a burial site on Runit. Several members of this course were diverted to on-site duty. By the time this investigation was completed, most of the training was completed in the field, rather than in the classroom. Most of the radiation safety (biomedical suits vs anti-radiation suits) and detection equipment obtained for the cleanup was untested state-of-the-art commercial equipment. Likewise, none of these items had been used by troops in a tropical atoll environment.

Despite this, it is stated, “they were well tested and provided excellent choices at Enewetak.” My question is, “How were they tested? The investigators wore this protective gear, but the survey effort disclosed that there was no contaminated burial site at the Erie ground zero (GZ). Yet, the next paragraph on p. 181 states, “The Erie site survey provided a valuable field test of radiological control and safety measures and equipment.” Thus, the Field Command’s radiological planners and the JTG Radiological Control Division staff, and involved scientists concluded that this permitted further refinement of the radiological control and safety procedures which were to be used for the project. Initially, my radiation teams, and we who were allowed to enter the restricted areas were clothed in radiation suits. Later, to protect us from exposure to airborne dust, our protection was reduced to surgical masks, gloves, and yellow boots. Now, our military comrades are stating that they were directed to accomplish retrieval, transfer, and burial of dirt, debris, and other materials on the now restricted Northern Islands without any protection from radiological exposure.

“The nuclear testing at Enewetak Atoll dispersed radioactive materials in varying quantities over most of the northern islands.” (p. 183) The most important category from the standpoint of the cleanup was the unfissioned nuclear fuel, especially plutonium (Pu) in the form of Pu-239. In addition, Pu-238, -240, and -241, along with americium (Am) in the form of Am-241. “These elements, collectively termed transuranic because they are above uranium on the atomic number scale of elements, were spread in microscopic- to centimeter- sized particles. . . . While the transuranics constituted little problem in their undisturbed state, they would be a potential hazard once cleanup began.”

Consequently, as a researcher, I feel it necessary to review pages 3 and four of this document. It is commonly accepted that radioactive dust, consisting of material directly vaporized by a nuclear blast is a highly dangerous kind of radioactive contamination. Basically, the primary mission of the Defense Nuclear Agency Radiological Cleanup of Enewetak Atoll was to locate, identify, collect and transport radioactive material to a disposal site. It does not take a rocket scientist to realize that these tasks can produce dust! Consequently, on numerous occasions, I questioned the reliability and validity of the protective gear and the radiation monitoring equipment my FRST was provided to assess the islands on Enewetak Atoll. I was informed that the highest levels of radiation found on Enewetak Atoll were measured on coconut crabs, or crustations, which live for decades and molt and re-ingest their shells on a periodic basis. However, the levels found on these crabs on the atoll were reported to be less than a routine dental x-ray. This just did not make sense to me because the half-life dissipation of nuclear radiation is essentially long-term because of the potential accumulation of long-lived radioisotopes.

A review of Chapter 3, Mobilization: 1974-1978 (pp. 143-178), reveals much evidence which implies that this was an operation conducted at the lowest possible cost. All too often, statements indicate facilities and equipment available to us had been refurbished; in other words provided as the most economical choice. Also, I truly believe that although a great deal of planning had been accomplished offsite prior to our arrival, those placed in a position of authority had little to no information as to how commands were to interrelate and coordinate our functions for optimum success. Additionally, the chain of command was modified, responsibilities were altered, target dates were changed and logistical and construction projects were affected. Then, just prior to deployment, the selected Joint Task Group Commander who was instrumental in the planning was replaced. As a result, far too many misunderstandings surfaced concerning both our responsibilities and the authority to independently conduct the operations of our personnel without creating controversy between members of other agencies.

Why did I have an Army Jeep when USAF vehicles were stored at the motor pool. Why did I have to threaten closing operations (1) to get permission for the Airman Magazine staff to proceed to the Northern Islands to visit with our USAF personnel at their work locations, (2) to get Thanksgiving Day off for a day of rest for the troops, and (3) to get a fuel filter to ensure safe fuel was provided for the helicopters? Also, we personally had to cut a hole in the partition between the Post Office and the MP office so we could share their air conditioner so the stamps remained unusable. Where was “Common sense?” Talk about standardization thinking; nobody could ever explain to us why the PX/BX offered golf bags and clubs or women’s hygiene products. Unfortunately, it seemed that directives were based on downward communication channels rather than a more productive circular style whereby all parties had a voice. Consequently, too many decisions pertaining to my command and my personnel’s conduct of their assigned duties were extremely disruptive.

“I feel responsible for what happened to the Enewetak Atoll Cleanup Veterans despite using every effort possible to convince the scientists that this Atoll was not radiation free. To this date, I feel that those assigned to this cleanup project were placed in harm’s way and directed to perform their assigned duties without radiological protection! Accordingly, I feel that the public has the right to be informed of this travesty. We in the military take an oath to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect the United States and its Constitution. However, this program should not have considered, let alone, required such measures to be utilized by the Enewetak Atomic Cleanup Veterans to complete the project in the assigned time.”

“It is so sad that willing people were sent into such an austere environment without any understanding of what they would be directed to do or the possible residual effects they would suffer by being assigned to Enewetak cleanup duty.” Despite the lack of support from our leaders, then and now, ‘We got the job done.’ And, I believe we would do this duty again. Most civilians do not really understand the mind set of our military personnel. We are not heroes. Most recipients of the Medal of Honor will state, ‘I only did what any other military person would do in these circumstances.’ I believe that our astronauts who gave their lives in the space program would have still gone on their missions knowing in advance that they would not return.”

“Likewise, I share the sorrow of the dri Enewetak people, especially that of my friend, Chief Johannes Peter.”

“GOD Bless Our Enewetak Cleanup Veterans, and GOD Bless America!”

"The primary focus for this group is to urge Congress to change legislation and recognize soldiers of this seemingly forgotten cleanup mission as “veterans who participated in radiation-risk activities during active service.”

Follow our cause: Atomic Veterans of Enewetak Atoll