Rongelap Atoll /ˈrɒŋɡəlæp/ RONG-gə-lap (Marshallese: Ron̄ļap, /rˠʷɜŋʷlˠapʲ/ or [r̴ʷɔŋʷɔ͡ʌɫɑ͡æp]) or Namorik Atoll is a coral atoll of 61 islands in the Pacific Ocean, and forms a legislative district of the Ralik Chain of the Marshall Islands. Its total land area is only 8 square miles (21 km²), but it encloses a lagoon with an area of 1,000 square miles (2,600 km²). It is historically notable for its close proximity to American hydrogen bomb tests in 1954, and was particularly devastated by fallout from the Castle Bravo test.

Rangelap Atoll was claimed by the Empire of Germany along with the rest of the Marshall Islands in 1884, and the Germans established a trading outpost. After World War I, the island came under the South Pacific Mandate of the Empire of Japan. Following the end of World War II, Jaluit came under the control of the United States as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

Lijon Eknilang (March 1, 1946 – August 2012) was a Marshallese activist and nuclear fallout survivor. Eknilang advocated on behalf of residents of Rongelap Atoll, who were victims of nuclear fallout stemming from the Castle Bravo hydrogen bomb test at Bikini Atoll in 1954.

Eknilang was just eight years old at the time of the Castle Bravo hydrogen bomb test on March 1, 1954. The resulting fallout from the test on Bikini Atoll sent a snowstorm-like covering of radioactive fallout, which covered Rongelap Atolls. The eighty-two residents of Rongelap, including Eknilang, suffered long-term health problems due to the radiation. Eknilang suffered eight miscarriages and could not have children.

Eknilang traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe to draw attention to the health problems experienced by Rongelap's residents due to Castle Bravo. She has been called an "icon in the Marshall Islands for her international advocacy on behalf of nuclear test victims." Eknilang on behalf of the former residents of Rongelap before the United States Congress. She also spoke before the Advisory Proceedings on the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons at the International Court of Justice in The Hague in November 1995.

Richard Ira "Dick" Bong (September 24, 1920 – August 6, 1945) is the United States' highest-scoring air ace, having shot down at least 40 Japanese aircraft during World War II. He was a fighter pilot in the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) and a recipient of the Medal of Honor. All of his aerial victories were in the P-38 Lightning, a fast and well armed fighter aircraft.

Bong, the son of Swedish immigrant parents, grew up on a farm in Poplar, Wisconsin as one of nine children. He became interested in aircraft at an early age and was a keen model builder.

He began studying at Superior State Teachers College in 1938. While there, Bong enrolled in the Civilian Pilot Training Program and also took private flying lessons. In 1941 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet Program. One of his flight instructors was Capt. Barry Goldwater (later Senator from Arizona). Bong's ability as a fighter pilot was recognized at training in northern California. He received his wings and commission as a second lieutenant on January 9, 1942, and became a gunnery instructor.