;

,..

'

..

'

HENRY ST!IISOJ{

1941 - 1945

•

..

...

. .

'f. . I Adrhn J. Q9rgl:zu•h - S...,._,.,.y or l'r<lpooed O.Cenoo l'rojoc~ , WPA Art l'royrao .

., cle&r llr. s .. ,.......,. ,.,. P.-..id- •uae•tod tbat

1 t.alto t.bio " P • 1t.h 10"• llll fO" let. 11e lcMw .. ~.:.t. ~" thinll a boot ;uch • plan and 1t you ~~\. .c>W.d .. poa•l.olo w put 1~ i nt o o!! oot.?

,

•

. .

'

' •

... > ,. ,. • ..

/00

.,

oo

..

•

•

j

• • •

•

THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHIHO"fON

Ar>~ll 9 , 1941

I<EIIORAUDUll fOR

E. R.

OK t o t nke u;> >~1 th th e

Secretory of .In~.

!'. :J . ~ .

-

..

'

•

,

THE WHrn: HOUSE WASH.IHGTOH

· L.-u-ch Jl , I ?!.1

f'OR '!'Ill> I llli:3li•E1I'f :

See wrs. ttoosevelt. ' S u.>~C :

11~ - ~~ 1 write t.ttc .iec:ret.ary"f .: ., ...... .

•

..

..

../

I

.. - ' -· ., .. .. .... \

~rY

Mn:r 29. 1941

Hy denr ' Mr. Secretary:

g l ·ren to t>&

ro~~r employee or the Wa r Department, vho wao

C1~c10Sed 8eYOr8~ ~eeka a go.

Mra.~tello me ohe nover had

R bear1ng. and I roel very strongly t hat she ·

oboula ha7e been allowed an opportun1ty to

3tate her s1de ot the case, as she set& 1t

forth 1n tb1s ot a tecent.

I b>!.ve a letter rro:a ~:r. John II.

Y.artyn, dnted Nny 13t h , 19~1. expla1n1ng t be

reeaon9 why abe vno d1om1seed• but he does

' not ony t~t eho wae e1ven n chance to appear·

before t he board.

\1111 you pleaee ha•1e tbU l ooked 1nto ' .

..

and let me 'knov what you t1nd no t he renoona tor

rerua1ng her a chenoa to appear?

Vory olnoerely your&.

SANITIZED DQCUMENT

.3+c- sh· I

/00 . I

[:Y' ~

,

•

•

)

•

SANITIZED DOCUMENT

• • I ' • - -. • ' -,.. • I • I

5J4.:. :;?.:;,-17.-:... ; . I ! i

--. . . '· I' In view or tho attached letter

addressed to Secretary St imson ;

on !.lay 5, 1911 - to \1ll1cll no roply •, • ns as yet been reeeivod - and .rurtber

1

:- t hai a 17ar Dept . report on tho- eas

· ! ;,1aa sent to Card.ner J'nokcon! sot:L& tic.e ,

I ' OE;O; ' th13 lett or haS- nOt been l'lritten.

' i I I I ' ! ,,L;y ,-: l vns .

?·W.~ 1 ~ ,-J:· ~ - ;; .-tffrt~, ~y J.t}.)< ,v jJ.

16 (J I,('\ • t( .r/

' ..

' -

...

.. ...

•

SANITIZED DOCUMENT

Col. Stimson: The ~tnsr.. Youth Council hoR mnile representarioos

over '·:hom t here htu; bean lon~ nlterc:"lt l on ,

NhL!.e she wa l\ pro.mi eed 11 hearing , has

nns:·:et the char;;;ee which were ~a de .

neve r hns R chance to

She has ,)rl tt"'n out a

stAtement whtch she hn.s handed me . I am not suggesting ,

of cours~, th!'. t she'"' should be ret1>.!.ned if for any reason 11'. is

ccnoldefed un~lse, still I do feel. thnt in the 1~tere3ts of

1:'.:\!tint:; the Union to t!hlch sho. belongs nnd the other orgontz.a­

tlons feel she hns ha:l l' fc.lr he:\rint;:, she should be c.llo~ted -..., to answer the accuontione . I enclose her &tAtcnent .

F. . R.

I enem t<J ro'!l••:::b!!r that th"' lhr D<'('lt. rr.ndc a

ful l re!)ort on thie t10:1wr. !ln<l that Rh?. hlld ~ hcarlnf; o nd was

rcjlrP£ented ilt it by her ln1"yer . If I am rL~ht, do not writ~

~hlo lp~;ter. If you fln•l I am wrone, ple11ee hovl! thln pre;:>"red

for ~rs. R.'e s l gnatuuc .

I I

SANDTIZED OOCIJJM~Nu

I

1

r

,

: I ~ ... . .. . . . ..... .. ·: . .

'• J • •• I ) ' ' •, • \

ur. r~lpb ~ •. ~:t•o AJ~t...-a~lve Otlicee Sooi:ll CotTe~tpondonc:e 'ibo ~ito Hou:o · rinehlnztoa,, D.c.

I • j ,.. I

~ ~ear llr. U:>.;;eeo I

SANITIZED OOClJMENY

\lay l), l?:.l.

In ' I M•1o 7au:r la~t•r ot ~:1 St.b• 3J!..iro• std ·to t.~o Secre t.ary,

lo:"o!"'Q4t.loa ro:saord1.:l.l b:e- roqu-e3E. ot

of tor :rel.!ln~tetsdnt. int.o tho :..or'rlo•

llr3. n., not. dlozi.s:.uxl uut.ll a!'t~~ a thorougb

L'lV?:Jtlg:tt1on .-,< h~r activlt1't:t b7 t.h" ~.UlitAry Int.aU1g~nce D1-

v!!lloo or t!"'e Ott"lce or 'hte Cb1,,£ or st,rr.. L, tt.CC?t"t!Mca -:tit.b

$1)ct.1on 6 ,. Pu'oll¢ Ffn1 :lhe T:'.:tn &iVOn c.htC"l:'l!W rc~oon~ tor her

dl:a»l.!l~.U ancl ;,~.Uo"~ th.!rt.y days to ft.tlture:- ~., chdra~a b:rout:;ht

•c•l:l•.t her. 'lbb •he coa,ll<'d rlth , •nd hor ropl,y ,..~ the:> slven

B rull OD.d coto;r~\lhetlfti'l~ Dt.ndy lrJ th& ).),1~\l'ti'YII:ttlt.. U~n tho C¢~

plo~lca ot l!llo o~ud7 it M :> t~-'"<iht ~...tvloAblo J..n tho bust J..n­

t~r~~t~ of n~~lonkl e~curLty tn~t uLe ahoul~ no~ l~ rein~tnt~d,

r.=rt wa3 ~o notirlod or th1o doc1sion. Tho case 1o no~ conui~ered

clooo>d lr.r t~o <:u Copart.::>ont.

l!o.ta'Vf):", 1\ t tl:l:r t1z o 1 I 1:~ult.l l1k• to t.:\~{6 tho 01);KJ1"­

t.ll-.,1ty to O.:J:1uro 'yon, ~:'\·l thr~up.h you to U.fHlur.,_;.l~.;.,: F.oonovolt

th•t we are I<Hnl;r co::n~:.ut to ~" rt'3poMtl>fllty rnto1l•d in

~tbL'l1Dt4tr.l...n.; th~t ·ot.atut.• 1nvolvMl in !(rn. 'D dleDlleaal.

It ls our n•Jo.-:Kl inL«ltloa to cont1.a.uo t:> oxo:-cla• eY.t1·e:~~o& tt.od

ucrupu.lou:s c oo, ro 1n 11.~l 3llch !lt.all.A.r eaoe:~; :•o 01 t.o p:-ov1tJ& o.;,Kicst.

:llocrUl.Mtlon "lthar to 1n·Hvld\Ulo o- orjlonlutlc.no to ''!'llcb

t none lnJ1v1d~e~~y bolonz.

..

Slneo:el.7 r->ur:. ,

J?IIN W. MMTYN

Jol\4 17. ll>rt)'l> .lunJ..nl:>tr:>tlve Aoolot.ant.

SAtUTtZED J)OCUMEi\11

•

'

I .

......... SANITIZED DOCUMENT . :. .,

DCIIl" t.:rs . Rooaovel t :-

l!oremth I rotu:::-n the cow or tho "ar Dopart:lent letter se~t to ~· l!Artyn , Adtlinhtrativo Aosistn.nt , concerning the C'l$0 ot~l)l.l tool

ThoUGh I ct1ll/tMt--should not hnvo turned ho• case ova• to a uouJ> charocter1zod ·~ oppo$1t1on to tho detcnJ:o !J!"'6ra:J, I can:1ot but ro<;ard ur. l!artyn'o letter as a ccmpo1.111ding or tho dangerows procedure in this caGe. Tho roots that hove been brought to ~ ottont1cn on this procedure do cot boar out tho nboolutenosc ·or Ur . l!ortyn' s aooortiono. There rsy be othor facto or which I hove no knowlodgo,'

I have been told or the oeeting youi: had \lltl; tho Youth Council here end You were ropqrted to :no ao surpr1ce·d that thoro had boon no fornal pubUc hearing in her coco. I asc•lr.IAd that you understood sucb to be tbo ouoe . If :you chec!< back over IllY letters to you on tho ~ttor I tl\1nl< you will find implicit in one or th~ a brief doscription or the hoorlng iddicBttng its V"i•ats nnture,

The problem boo boon raised at a J:\eetl.nG or the Robart ~~~!taU Civil Uberties Truot of wb1oh I ~ ono or the five trustooo . I 1\ovo oerood to J~oparo o nc~orand~ on tho coco vtith >~h1cb two or the II~"' York trll!ltccs -- :robn Finerty and llo3or Be.l.d1.1.n -­will ayproech Cronvillo Clark, cha~ or tho civil libortteo cOQ21tteeor tho A:oerican lklr Aosocb,tlon, end m>itnoy Soyt:>our ror the JIIXI!po•~ ot por::uadlne t hs:> to accept a nodcrnto 7>otoiner fro:> the Unrsho.U Civil J.ibcrt1cn '•'ruct to in'IODti~;nto 8.Dd 7>eport on tho Pl'OCodure end ovidooce in thio coso oc a cu1do for futuro octionc or thin natl.ll'o, Wo havo no cortnlnty we w1ll bo able to :rototo IJ')93rs. Clnrk nnd Se:~Itour , but we think it in tho public interest to try, end, tn1ltnl.; tho.':!, to s~ other 41aintero!ltod couru~e.l. to oake .tho Inquiry . Sw:h countol naturl>l.ly C<lMOt e.n4 al:ou14 not , in r:ry Ju<lsc::uont -- bo o:r.poctod to collabo:r~to nitrblltiihiieililliiBitllloiiln<ll }"ode:.'ntion for Const{tutione.l. J,iborties and oucl\ othor groupo no , has whooping it up in .jjat' dofonoo.

tho • rho crux of tho eonereJ.· proble::>. inve.l.vc<l rolatoa to/type or p'Jreons tho \tar Doper~nt or any other dopa:r~nt naaiens to honr thooo d1~1vcil ca:o~. Un~er~rot~f ot ller ~ttoraon, as I told you, asroecl thoroughly with no that "th" n111to.ry r.lind" ah..Ud not be *ntrU!Itod with that roopons1b1lity. Yot tho board which envo ~~··· • - tho hoori1J6 woo • military boerd. ltndcrooorotary Pattorcon•a fUrther 8X]re:oio:u~ or attitu<lo on th1~ typo of probl<lll nero onoo nlth 'lhlch I concurred. tll1tllrtunot~y, in tbo )ll"Ooo or hlo urc<il'lt 4uUo.:., :rudgo J'ftttcr:on'a attitude lll'J>'lrontly 406' not PI:ovo11 . ·

. ~ Kono of wbich moons thnt tho corloUJ: <loubta in ey mind conoorn1nc 0 oholco or oupport in hor. onoo hovo -boon dlo.I)Ollcd . It noroly 1'101\no th:lt I th n:< proceduru ot inrlootiGAtlon, or occoptinl) cYidcnco an4 or wolcltlnc it nro or tl\o oa,tnco ot de~rocy.

l:.ty you continuo to bo your v:LbrMtly lntolUcont colt' . apltnd1d.

J.Zo. Franl<Un D. Roo:o.eH, The \lh l to Houoe, \/uUnst on , D. 0 •

1'ho l'rooiucnt, wo t hoU(',M, wno

11ilJ 16, 1941

117 ~ ~. -rek>7• I aa .-.11116 JOU tbh DO!-- j...t to ·

call to 'IOllr .tt.euUOG dla 0- otj lWU -D, 11110 -n-• to N ualp4 to llal~ Cl>1- PrOJect, u4 1G wb1oll 0~,. lt&l'la Lool<ar ot ,., .... lloper\"*'t u 1nt el'O.te4. n - th.t &II b.ecut1'" Or<!er to oeoeo....rt l n or4er to e.t

"' tile pool U on.

I lleYa ao.,. P.,l '!l)n-• tor a lone t• IUI4 • lllteraeted In blo wlllfora , but I 40 DOt -'- to ... ~ tht.~ onythlo:· u~otol bu !boo tbet. 11)Ul4 aot be cSone 1n tho ""'!"'tAT' ot\aun•ls

or bUstu•o• .

!!on . l!eory L . Stillion '!'be Sec. ot War

-

····-- 1;,

I f;r) 1/

(

DO

'

r

-. ,

I

,•

.·

I ·--

-.- 11, lltl

-........ """. 1 - • "•& 10• tlleM le\wn - 1 ...... _ .. tll1ap ..... _ ... l4all .. ,

- .... \!1.7 ......... tloeN a-l4 llil ---1- .r .,_\liir - \loa ,. ... or \loa ·•lac oUJ.eer a\ \loa ,,.,,

1 ...... -tlllac wUl .._ 4o. ~ eloaacJ.ac t he helclat ., *""b \loa P'- ta, -r n-.;.- .......

'•r.r •laeer•l7 roar•.

The Honorable Henry L. Stil!!llon Secretary of War W••hlneton, D. c . Iff

l!bol.

~·

I {~ rJ .I

•

)

S.p\eaber 10, lMl

Dur Ill'. Sean \&1'7•

'IUIIII70u ""' -" f~ -ro-r loUoor of S.p'-IIU !5 and fat' aendl.JI& • • oopt ot llr. Cuocio•a lat.\er t.o o-trol Manl\all. 1 .. clad t.o baft bed tile epportlmi V t.o read aucb a bea\llihl

1$ ••d.• ., ,.vs.-'1•· . 1be ,.,.,.._., - ~

<'to• .... rJ'It.l. ,..1~ t.o ...,.,...,. \o UleM ""' f•ili .. - &JIIIIA1hf -t. W all t .. l tor tMa.

Kon. llenrr L. St.1Juon S.cre t.ary of War

!Oo

0

1._, ..

l\

••

----- --------•A.w

\v ') • I

, · ~ '.\ / 'I)

WA .. DEPARTMENT

WAOHINOTON

Sept.utber 26, 1941.

ICY dNr lira. Booaevo1t:

I han received 'f<Nr letter of Septeaber 15 enoloain& a

1-tter t'roa lira. Kramer whooo daughter was ldlled in the recent air­

plane accident at lloapetead.

J'e have been creatl'f concerned over thia tragic accident

tr011 tho voey aoaont t.hat n recohod word of the crash and eaw

Mre . Kramer'• open lotter~published in the newopopere. I lcoow you w111

appreciate that I ~sol! eygpothizo deopl'f with the perente of the

three children who wore ldlled.

Loaediatel'f on learning of the accident I ordered a thorou&h

invoatication. I aa glad to eay that the pilot, · who bimaolt aut'ferod

vecy aoverel'f, ia not eulpoble in the Cl&tter.· With his plane on fire

and hie !ace and clothing burning, bo did the beat be could to glide

into tbo air .t1old, and it 1e tor tbia reason t.hat the uncontrollable

aechino was t~ at a low altitude. He abandoned the plane onl'f at

the lut 1101111nt and was saved troa death by tho tacb t.hat he f'oll into

a tree.

In tho abeonce ot the CoiiiiiJld1ng Officer of the Ro•potead

J'ield tho Poet Cbaple1n wnt in an J.nq aabulance to the acana ot the

aooidont aa soon ae the crash report wee rocei vod. UntortUD&tel'f bo

was unable to find ~. and lira. Kraaor. Tbe CUccio children wore tel<en

to the boepitel 1n the Anq ubulance. General !lara hall wrote personal

lettere of condolence to botb tho ltraaer and CUccio fudli .. , which

wro dolin.-.d by Tbo Inapeotor General who conducted the 1nveet1gation.

Lottera ot deepoet l'fapoth:y bave aloo beon nitten by t.ha Chiot ot tho

Air Corpo, In addition to thie tile Cbiot of Cbaplaine , llonaicJlor Arnold,

bae bald aeaoriel earvicea eeveral tiau during the poet 110nth. I feel

certe1n that you w1ll be intereatod 1n rNding tho encloaod copy of

llr. CUocio 1e latter to' Gener&l llaraht.ll. To ae it repreaenta cma ot tho tin .. t apreaeiona ot potriotih and loyalt7 t.hat I bavo read . I

ban poraonall7 convinced qaelt t.hat the ailitery authoriti" baYO been

neither nacllgeDt nor una'fapothetic in rocard to thil accident •

Tbo ODJ.:r \llltortunate oapoct ot tbe attoir w.a the viait ot an

1nexpor1oncod 7011D1 officer to t.ha Kraaer houaebold ehortl'1 attor the

accident with a req'UOiat tor cl.....,.co a1 required b:r law. The 71N11C aan

did not rooliH at tirat that bo -• telldng to the poro11to ot one ot the ohildran and hia oabarraaeaont when Woraod ot thia wu 1ntenll.

1Je bon clcaa aftr7ibine that we poae1bl)' could do to -.ke aaondo for thia

unfortunate .,.......ilbt· ·

..

-

•

You 11111.7 root IIINrod that we are doing evorytbinB bllll&l\l1 possible to obriato aiailor aocideots 1n tba tuturo ,

lira . 7l'&l!ltllll Deleo BooaOTelt,

Tho llbite Houae.

Very sincerely )'OW"e,

Secretary o! ....-.

~--.__._. . ' .... , •

, ..:-•

0 0

p T

' 0

• I

General 0. !farahall, tl. S. A. , Chief of st.,!!, Wu Departaent, V&&hin;;ton. D. C.

Desr General :

Re~tt'-&d, L. I., ~ . T. 9 Septeober, 1941.

Your verr kind l etter to Mre. Cuccio and ~ael! wao ver,r MUCh appreciated by ua.

A ~r~ tr•gic l o ta could befal l M one &ad needleaa to •dd we are heartbroken.

However, thia diaaet or doee not IL&nn that we !Gel that Arv.l !lyin,;; activltieo i n t hi t or any o ther a raa abould be cu.tailod in the ol i~hteot degree.

Theae are pertloua timea and. 1 f throuch aome ne&}11enc• Mra. Cuccio Rnd I have to J>"Y an u.nueually heavy price t o our country it 11 aull inde ed co10partd to the rutbleoo deotruction of life being wreoked in t be World todiJ".

A,;atn Gtnerel let me expr·eea our apprecta tloo f o r your kindly Md IJII!P"tbet\e letter.

Sinc ere ly youre , •

,'-

•

Du.-.r 10. 11161 /00

Tt.. .ttaohll4 o mloat1011 tr<a Pre4el'lok p. or.-l>erc 11 aalt-ap1UI&t crJ•

'i baw r-1wcl qulh 'a a.-..r ot da1ur:.IOOIIP1a1At a -tl1 IIDII -~lAC 1t the 1IU' D.~t 1a tali:lac ell1!l IW~ to _.r_ the aituat loa wb1ob llr · or...,.berc 4aaor1-· 1 wU1 appreo1ate ell1!l Lat...-1011 :you oaa c1w - wblob' ­be ua..S 1a •-lac tb.la oort ot 1etwr.

t Tho ._Honorabh Honry L. Stimron Socretary of Wnr W~shington, D. C·

{

·~ From: l.!r • . Fredorick P,!...Q!'.l'~-

1411 flalrult Street · Philadelphia ;- pa .

t/

Ro: Turnin& away of Nor,ro youth from voluntoering for eorvioo , notably 1n t!avy and l!o.r1no Corps.

• I

: . . '

'• ..

~ .

.,

·-

'

' .

Hon. Henry L. Stimson Secretary of Wnr Washington, D. C.

\

•

l;'rite See . ''iar I hope t hey csn work t s _ _ these p"ople -Suggest . E.ll~ -----

AS k the llapt . to mnko reel on •li th eo lit· l e

every effort t o.1ntecrnte the site or' t l e tlor ,i,.nc ' inj ury "." posnihle to scnni c ~ nd recreat!cns l V!llU&

' •

·-

0

:

-

•

· -

\

*&lclo.inc utter t roca lira. Po~•lannedT, Bloollhill Park, llalone, Beltaat , Ireland. (See utter to lire. Keme<IT)

!".~ \\, .. \ <:.•-< 'i S I

1u I • 1 r • lOll t.bSJI l8t.t.ar

td.\11 a ~ et 11/1 -· I baw bard ,._- .. '- ..... -· tbat. u. TOGQI •oan -• _. W1'7 ~ t.o t1D4 \!lat. t.lle lieVO _.,d,.,.. _.. not. looked ap1n w1t.h Wrac" tv t.IM 1irla 1n f.n&land aDd Ireland aDd SooUaado I t.b1nlc .. will ba'ft t.o ciD a llt.t.la ~t.illc a.oaa our Soo&tbam .nl\e- and ottiow., 1 .,., ... soc u. tact. tbat. __., •tt~ .a-ll! ba .. t.o pnwn\. .. ,.,.u,. clur1nl t.bU pv1D4 but. \!lat. ~ rel&Uoe1!tSP" ~b ,roape ot peopla llbo ciD not. baft t.IM - taeliAI t.bat. u.r ban about. u. Jlevo IMUIIIOt. ba ~ &Dd \!lat. it. 1& S...,..Ort.&ll\ for t.b• t.o reco,.Uaa \!lat. 1A clitferent. parte ot u.. world, oOII't.&1A a1t.uau- c11ttw all! ban t.o be t.raat.od dlt­tarant)¥.

---

'

,

\

..

•

•

-. - •

Dew ....... rAaJTI

1-- .... \al.d •U..t. ~ u.. Sa pnot.1Mcl ••iDA ~ &.roop. ... an 1t.at.1aaecl at. t.lle Car1*4 An1r Air P1el4, CarltW• I• ""''"• 11Cr Woraot. teU.. • U..t. u.a ,_., !!Mat.re, llll1oll •• .,.._bl.r blallt. t.o Jll'ftide ···- t. tor aq "-!a... IIOldier• - t.o be aol.U.S.ftl7 tor .eaite ~AlAi-• _. tcr t.11e la•t. 11'001 *1Gb bu a .S. .oit.b t.bl ....sa ~nd s.t.iaa• print­ed • lt.. oaJ, '-t,r -'a an prori4e4 tor l..,.o • 'd!- a~.--. t.bl t.blat.re bu • ..... ., •• , ....... ..,.,.,,. tba&. u. .... 7 2 ••• en.. eco'tN' ..... ,. ot db-.w.u.., reD t , ..... _,.. II& ... _, .. _ .. - -- t.bl prlrii..i; ot ..U., IDalde t.bl a.n.u-.. hrt.Mr, t.bat. all lOll ad M)df- -- ride ill t.bl ,...,. -" ot all .._. llnlna t.bl a .... aa u.. ,.._, -t.• .,.. ~ t or .eaite IIOldien.

'>._

I lbolll4 eppred.at.e it. ..,_., ..all u '" -u 111" .. , ..... u,.Uoa -.~. aa t.o llbttbnr w 11M RDil ooadlu- do aiet. •

•

Ron, Henry L, Sti.uon Secret.ar,r ot Par Waslll.ncton, }) . C • . . VDS

~ ~ Cj" /I-~ L----" ,. )

(_ ~ !?t....-t. :c ,(, c G

<

zc-...... f- "- c~ -r.-L ·- . ( 15 0

L ( C..<. c., oJV

'"'"" (. -) [;f I

•

~··--·- .,~ ....

-- .

COJll.~EE CHAIRJ.!A!!: Sgt. Henry L. Jones .

Discrimination and Segregation

TO !Srs. Eleanor Roosevelt Whi te House, Washington, D.C.

The three hundred and ten Neuro enlisted mon of the 349th .\ vn. Sqdn. (Seperot e) ot the ~nited Stet.es Air Corpo "-"" Loyal Arloricans 1 r ce'i:f and

___ "Ki.lli.rlg to -do t heir port to preserve D~crae:,r. For tho Most part tl'P. peroonnAl oJ: this Squadron is made up of youne men ,-,no vrere born and lived in "t he Northern St at es -.here they enjoyed to a larr,e degree the advantaues of a Der..ocracy. However 1 the £act that we want to dtl our best tor our coW"ltry· and to bo Valicnt .soldiers, seems to mean not.l1.1ne to the C::>n'tlr"l.nding Otfie.er of our Post, CoL Lewis, as in<licateQ,_ 'o'J the f!ll' t that "Jim Crowizm" is pract iced on the very growuis of our Ca.J1p . As you, t"''l!' ltave notic~d above our S~uadron is desl !>Oated by t he t.l.tle "31J9th Avn. Sqdn, Sooe.,-ate; t he lYord Seoarate being used only t o ~es1211~te onr Squarlron, as all the other squ~drons are whlte exceptin~ t~e lOl~th which is a QuartorAa8ter Platoon.

' . The Post Theater, ••hich ·rms preswcably built t o provide amusenent for

any American sol dier, soems to be excl usively for whit·A soldiers, exceptins the l est row trhich has " oJ.en >d. th t he words "Colored Section" print ed on it. ()!)ly twenty seats ar• provided for NeRI"O soldiers al thouch the t heater has A total capacity exceeding one t housand. '!'he Post Exchange offers anothor ex.&l!lple of discri.m1nJ.t.ionJ rei'reshments ara served, but Negro soldiora do I)Ot have the pri vi ledge of eating inside the. buildi.nt.

At a ""'eting t;oday of the entire porsonnel of the J~9th Avn , Sqdn, Sop. , our Col:l!landlng Orticer, Captain Josoph R. Becnel, (a• of Jan•vlry 17, 1943 thro•,~h February 2.3, 1943) stated that all colored soldiers ClllSt rids in the r6 :-i: soata of all buaeeS-le.aving t.he Base, as tho- tront scPts ara provided for ..W.te aoldiers, These are the principal factors i n our co111nlaint . 'i!e do not aak for epeci&J. pri vl.le~.gea . All we desire is t o have oquall ty; to be free to partioipete in all activities, l!leans of transportation, privl~ede;e.a, and amueements at1'orded any Ameri9'11\ soldier. l'le plelll"l Cor azi investi.uation of thia deplorable oon~tion which is c-.rtaioly ~ndooocratic , If this humble requeat Cloea not recei -w .iavorablo results, na, t~\& W'lrlorsi;.:ned, pledae our continued 1~ support to the Preaidcnt 1 Col""<!lal1d$r-in-chief of t he An>ed Forces, and to abide' by the Articles of War.

An;r conaideration given us by you will be hichlY approciated,.

. ~

•

b'- - ·· . . -"'

,-.

•

' '

)

. .

' .

~ .

Jlear !.Irs . Roosevelt:

Pvt. llichard K Allen 3~9th Avn. Sqdn . Sol) . Carlsbad A~ Air Field Carlsbad, 1181' !.texico Febr>I!U'Y 2) , l9ll)

At the present time I = a """"ber of tho Ju9th Avn . Sqdn, Sop . and- ua.ger to do "'Y p • ..rt for "'Y countr-J. On ,)ocerlbcr 10, 194~, as a civilian I wrote you a letter statinc ~ desir~ to be assiatod in a project of Visual Educa~ion for t;e•roes ann I an eratetul to Nlve rocei ved a reply fron t~e U. S. :lep!lrt:~ent o~ Education •

.Uthou;:h ey proposol '"'" not accepted, I rpprocbted your attention concornin.~ this oatter . It is because of your ld.ncln~ss in oy !'Gr&onlll affair tho.t I rer~r.lr.lencled ~zy fello" co::1n1 t too ne~:~be:os to l'lrite you concorninR our co•llpla1nt . Your prollpt and thou(lhtful con­siderntion will be srntefully rccei ved by all t no !llAinl>oro of O'lr l oyal sqiJndron.

•

- .• ·-- - --,

'

•

. .

..

.. . : •

., • . .....

. I

.. I

j

I

• - '

~~ --~~--. -~~ $ . &--~&::><1 <' • - tJi~t? ~ -- ..

w. _,.. e -JMMI'V1 ,; £ • -- ~x::. •

Q~~ . ?tt- .'~~- ~ -'-. ;.-... _,_.,4 . • . e4; . -

. 'm~Jl~--- 9f'vtis-j rr 7;·7(td . ·- ·

: JIA.c ~ - .· . ~e:~ .I

!~ - -~ ~~~ .. ' ~ !· '1{ r , - l

( -(fi0{~, . . ~fJ· .. . . ~ . . 16 --"'- 4 ~ ~ . . J

· - .• • • ~- ;::;;? ~ --~-~;L - ___ _ j l ' J1rrt:::t ' _7:r~-rf· . ~ ~

{_ - - - - ~C-(~ ..• {

. ~-$ ~ - · }f~'--· . :f3f~t . ~~-~~ ( Jlyc;;;-) fo~ fl. tJ £ . ._

/J ' ,

- --J -·-

' '

") I

..-.......~--·· - -----'

~> . . ,

liD 291.21 {3-8-43)08-C

WAR DEPART MENT

WASHINGTON

lira. Franklln D. Rooaevelt,

Tho White Houae.

Dear llro. Rooaevelt:

•

I have your letter of l!arch 8th co~eming a report

you have received that diecrimination ia practiced againat

Negro troop$, which a re etationed at the Car 1obad ~ Air

Field, Carlobad, New llexico.

Thie lll&tter 1e being invoatigatod and 'Ohan a report

1o received I oha.U write you again. •

Sincerely youra,

Socret&l')' of liar •

•

-

•

·,

I

._;; llr. SeGI'darra

Are tMy d.nied full r i &)lt.e ot cit.1aenah1p,

• 'fery einoerel,T youra,

on. Henr,y L• s -..on 0

-------e..--ut.." t.~lllra __ , -1(-•t.e_,__ ... ,

•

/

l

..

.. . . ~ 1 '

*See letter 1n tUu rro~SfT:. C., Davia, North Carol1n&.

11. H. Unt h&nk, 2)4th A.U Gun Bn., -

lire. •-•U. uko • to tlrllla t.be f oll ,.S'\1 W~!Ma t.o ,....r atwnU.oa.

I

lire. IOI11'98:lt·~a tari.ber , UI&L ua... ...,_ -. Lald Ulat. U..., _,... ftDt MleaLecl ..._.. t.bq ..,.. oolorecl aDd be-• Ula AdJU.ut. o-nl dJd IIDt. opecU)o 1n t.be Lal~ •••.,_ tlbet.ber Ula Ott1MI' Cu141-dat.o SeiiAel qi!HU wen tw aepooo or tor mit••· It llro. a-u•o l.rltoraUon 18 oorroot., t.beoo - baY8 .,pareat.~ roacbocl all tbe roq.ur-h and qll&l.1t1aat.1ono t.o att.eed Ott1cer C&Ddldaio Soboal, - ill C.._,.,, lart.,.. Sarrloo &lid t.loa oUiar ill Ula ~ Cwpo.

v.,..~pva •

VIX!

'

Urs. Eleanor Rooeevolt Wife of the President l':hito House, War.h1111!ton,

Dear Lire . Roosevelt:

•

I

I a, .,.1 UI\R in tho interest ot nysel r -.ri nm ot.h~r ACCepted !tegro Officer C&ndid~to here at c.,p O..vb, II , c. On t.he 19th of Janu._"U"Y l'J/.4 Ole two o! us wore 4JII01'\£ a\x .applicant.s, 2 lleeroe t\m "our ~tt.es~ w~o passed tlle e"""inins botlrd &t this station.

I an qui to aware or the fMt t > • t CCS q11otas .,.~ """ 11 at this phase ot tho war, but since the l 'lth or Jnn•>ary l<JI.l. a l l or U•e nix op;>licants ( accepted Cand id••tos) hnvn lmon sol ct..<l and tr,Mf••rred t o vnrioua OOS, except we two He~··os . Upon rttY inq•.ttry into Y1hy we hAtttt not ~1ecn solectetl I was si,ply told th•t it 11an becausB we •re colo"orl •m beo••••• t he Ad.lutnnt General d•.d not npoolf:y :ln the telor,rn~Jic ""'"""f.O •hot.hor t.ho CCS quot.au- were for n0K1'00 or tor wh ites . I llm eert.,in that tJut to1 1l(t~"#l!M r ••oM the Adj11tant Gonarnl will nevur llot quot•• in reg•r~ to N>Ce, Th•t 1130 see•ii'I81Y an excuse for not eoluct1n& ue .

I feel oonrtdent Ul\t you c'\n help wJ, tr rota were to in­qldre into. t~e mn~t,r.

. I have r oJ\Oh't'i 1\ll ot the reln~roDtknt..5 .'!rd q~aft1 t.rtol\tlona to attem the O!'!loor C"ndid~ta• School in Che::.tcal ;iarfAre Servtoo on:l lilY fl"ien:i bas COM up t.o all Of the r8quirod qtt:t.lt.fic.a tions for U\e '}u.otrt.el"IM8 -tel' Corpe . I ..,., sure t.M I will be ol bet tar oervioe to U.e pnitA!d Statoo in U.o field of r;y choice •

• Pleaee help thesn Hoero accepted oand1d'lto• "t C~•P Dnia,

llo>·th Carolina to be sivon th" chance th•t the nhita SoJ,<Iiera nro r,\von.

Vory huohl:y yours,

. . .. •

... .

-I bepe ,_will ao\ lll.t ., wrUlac 1001 \1\s. le\\er abod pubUelv la a-ral aDd tile ,...,. ot Ule talllJT llblob bad - ooo ret.o&me4 beoa•• of tho loao of tour ot!Mre,

U •- \e ao that, wtdle tha .. o\erlol at.\oet. tho tao\ that. \be ar Depar\aoat. lo deepJT 1D\ai'M\ed 1D all tbe -, theJ" _._ • lot. ot ...r.ppt-• and Nlee tal •• hopu,

JCr Mil baa been tllled w1 th lat. tare trca aotllarl wllo bna loa\ - or two •- aDd baft 1111.1 ·- an. 'lllq do no\ ... •Ill' ....... '11111 thal.r •- Dill' \ oo• .._ or be 'nDifarrad \eanODutt. ..... ,

!be •- thlq bappaDid ...,.n one •n ••• brwp\ h- \e 111 a ololr Glllld,

I PMUM, Ill o-••• that. th11a 1\orlu ue ot\ee 'lll'l\taa 'r looal • -paper people, IN\ I •- w r 1 tar \be\ •- ot t.h• ora IV Dlpa1111aet. 1'1~11.

'fery liDIII'IJT ,......,

Hon, Henry L• Stiuon \

- .

0

J

_l -

Dear ur. S.01'11tA!7o

I U.1nk tho I talune f 1&ht1ne • Hh 118 ahollld be in 01.1r hoepitAll. Ian•t t.!\ie a lliatake that. con be Notified ard won•t you ploaaa •- that t.-.. ahonp 1o no~ tn Stare and. St.riput

Slnoore1y ,Y1>11ra,

Hon, Henrr L• StS..on

0

h.J'Beat.rt~ !lll~ott, 5~5 lr. US, II!C . with lott.orcoPi) hoa moabor ot aoldiera to Stare and St.rSpee about U.e 'oeea ot an Italian pertiaan eoldler Who nearly died beaall8e ot 111111·anitar,r hoepital corditiona - COIIld not be adaJ.t.t.ed to an ...,rican hoaplt.al

.,

•