The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.
1 August 1945. Subjects To: Promotion of Lt. Colonel William McChesney Martin. The Adjutant General. 1. Promotion of the subject officer is hereby recommended* The following data are submitted la support of the recommendation: a. Name - William McChesney Martin Grade • Lt. Colonel Serial Number • 0-436988Arm or Service • Infantry Date of Last Promotion - 1 February 1944• Grade to which Recommended - Colonel, A.U.S. b. A position vacancy exists in the allotment of officers for duty with the Munitions Assignments Board. (Ref: Personnel Authorisation 1 June 1946, Office of Chief of Staff). c. Position occupied: Assistant to Executive, Munitions Assignments Board, in charge of operations of the President's Soviet Protocol Committee and Secretary of the Joint War Aid Committee - United States and Canada, established by the President and Prime Minister of Canada in 1943* d. This officer has clearly demonstrated, by actual performance in a superior manner, for more than one year, his fitness for the responsibilities and duties of the position now occupied and the grade for which recommended. Lt. colonel Martin reported for duty with the Munitions Assignments Board on 13 April 1942, first, as liaison officer with the Army-Navy Munitions Board, the far Production Board, and other agencies concerned with production and allocation of materials, and, subsequently, as the representative of the Munitions Assignments Board on all matters of joint concern to the Munitions Assignments Board and the ether Combined Boards (U.S. and British). With the gradual withdrawal from day to day concern with Russian supply matters of Mr. Harry L. Hopkins as Chairman of the Board and of the President's Soviet Protocol Committee during the early months of 1944, it became necessary for the Executive of the Board, Major General John Y. York, Jr*, to assume duties as Vice Chairman and Acting Chairman of the President's Soviet Protocol Committee. Accordingly, there were delegated to Lt. Colonel Martin continuing responsibilities for the coordination for the work of that Committee during the last month a of the Third soviet Protocol and throughout the Fourth Protocol period ending 30 June 1945. Specifically, Lt. Colonel Martin was charged with major responsibility for the formulation and administration of the Fourth Protocol and, since its expiration, of the highly important Russian military aid programs approved by the President and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Lt. Colonel Martin's broad experience, unquestioned executive abilities, and capacity for effective leadership have been major factors in the success of the Russian aid programs which, although now somewhat changed in character because of the non-conclusion of a Fifth protocol, are of the highest strategic importance. e. The following are the specific duties of the position now occupied by Lt. Colonel Martin and for which hie promotion is recommended. i. Senior Assistant to the Acting Chairman of the President's Soviet Protocol Committee serving as acting executive officer. ii. Supervision and coordination of all work for the Munitions Assignments Board involving; all other combined boards and organizations. iii. Maintenance of effective liaison with British and Canadian agencies charged with responsibility for the supply programs of those governments in behalf of the U.S.S.R. lv» Coordination of the U.S. section of the Joint War Aid Committee (U.S. and Canada) with particular reference to matters of supply to China and France. f. The recent resignation from Federal service of Mr. Harry L. Hopkins has further increased the responsibilities of Lt. Colonel Martin. In connection with Soviet aid problems, It la contemplated that his responsibilities will further increase as a result of the Berlin conference now concluding, particularly in view of the fact that mo civilian successor to Mr. Hopkins is expected to be appointed by the president. JOHN Y. YORK, JR., Major General, U. S. Army
@FedFRASER