G/PM files, lot 68 D 349, “Ivy”
United States Atomic Energy Commission Press Release1
Announcement by the Chairman, United States Atomic Energy Commission2
Joint Task Force 132, operating for the Department of Defense and the United States Atomic Energy Commission, has concluded the third series of weapons development tests at Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Like the Greenhouse series 1951, it was designed to further the development of various types of weapons. In furtherance of the President’s announcement of January 31, 1950,3 the test program included experiments contributing to thermonuclear weapons research.
Scientific executives for the tests have expressed satisfaction with the results. The leaders and members of the military and civilian components of the Task Force have accomplished a remarkable feat of precision in planning and operations and have the commendation of the Department of Defense and the Atomic Energy Commission.
In the presence of threats to the peace of the world and in the absence of effective and enforceable arrangements for the control of armaments, the United States Government must continue its studies looking toward the development of these vast energies for the defense of the free world. At the same time, this Government is pushing with wide and growing success its studies directed toward utilizing these energies for the productive purposes of mankind.
- A notation on the source text reads: “For immediate release Sunday, November 16, 1952.”↩
- In a memorandum of Nov. 12, NSC Executive Secretary Lay informed AEC Chairman Dean that the President had that day approved the issuance of this announcement. (G/PM files, lot 68 D 349, “Ivy”) The hydrogen bomb test had occurred on Nov. 1, Washington time.↩
- For text, see Foreign Relations, 1950, vol. i, p. 141.↩