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American Legion Address 9/7/89 [OA 6268] [2]
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American Legion Address 9/7/89 [OA 6268] [2]
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American Legion Address 9/7/89 [OA 626 [2]
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19
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2
RCV BY:Xerox Telecopier 7021 ; 8-15-89 ; 3:40PM ;
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August 15, 1989
Stephanie Blessey
Researcher
Here is the information on Past National Commander of The American Legion
Erle Cocke, Jr.; and two articles from the mid-40s American Legion Magazine.
I believe you can verify that Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., a founder of The
American Legion following World War I, was involved in significant action in
World War II. This would certainly be a tie the majority of the audience
would understand.
In the next couple of days I will contact some state elements of the organization
for any help they might provide in the area of little known heros.
Cheers,
Ben HARRIS
American Legion
(317) 635-8411
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Heorgia
Erle Brog. Coche,fr.
ERLE COCKE, JR.
National Commander, The American Legion
(Biographical Sketch)
Erle Cocke, Jr., of Dawson, Georgia, 30-year-old farmer, stockraiser,
businessman and transportation executive, was unanimously elected National Commander
of The American Legion by the 32nd national convention in Los Angeles, California,
October 12, 1950. Halfway through his term as head of the world's largest veterans'
organization, Commander Cocke had visited 47 of the 48 states and 32 foreign
countries on a world tour which took him to the Korean battlefront.
Following his appointment by Defense Secretary Marshall as a member of
the Citizens Advisory Committee on Armed Services training Installations, and in
the interest of The American Legion's "Tide of Toys" program, Commander Cocke on
March 3, 1951 embarked on a 37-day tour of Hawaii, the Philippines, Asia and Europe.
He conferred at length with General Douglas MacArthur, then Supreme Allied Commander
in the Far East. He visited every division on the fighting front in Korea and was
briefed on strategic matters by General Matthew B. Ridgway, successor to General
MacArthur.
Commander Cocke also conferred with Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek and
inspected the Nationalist Chinese troops training on Formosa. On the basis of his
personal inspection, the American Legion chief strongly urged that these Nationalist
troops be employed to halt Communist aggression in Korea, Commander Cooke's crowded
itinerary included meetings with President Elpido Quirino of the Philippines,
General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Commmander of the Atlantic Pact Forces; Pope Pius XII,
and the military and civilian leaders of Western Germany, France, Italy and
Yugoslavia.
A dramatic highlight of the world tour occurred when Commander Cocke
revisited Oberwilzingen, Germany, where he had been placed before a firing squad,
"Executed" and left for dead by the Nazis in 1945. This incident was the climax
to a; spectacular war record.
Cocke was lined up by his enraged German captors before & firing squad
and mowed down with machine guns. He had been made & prisoner of war three timesy,
but had managed to escape on the first two occasions. During his second escape he
was responsible for the
Extended Page
1.1
suldiers.
When the Germans captured him for the third time, they decided promptly
to put an end for all time to his escapades, A firing squad riddled Cooke in the
tomach and lung. A Nazi officer gave him the coup de grace with a pistol shot
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- 2 -
in the back, But Cocke was a tough soldier. He refused to die. Villagers who
returned hours after the shooting found Cocke still alive. They hid and nursed
him for 48 hours until Allied troops reached the area, Cocke spent the next
14 months in 27 different hospitals, underwent 17 operations, made an amazing
recovery.
For his extraordinary gallantry in action with Major General A. C. ("Nuts")
McAuliffe's forces, Cocke, then a captain, was awarded the Silver Star, the Purple
Heart with three clusters, the Bronze Star with clusters, the French Croix-de-
Guerre, and was recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross on the field of
battle. He also holds other decorations and citations, He returned from active
military service with the rank of Major.
Cocke entered the military service in the Fall of 1941 while still a
senior student in the R.O.T.C. at the University of Georgia. He was graduated
from the Command and General Staff school, U.S. Army, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas;
the Advanced Officers' Course at Ft. Benning, Georgia; the Basic Officers' Course
at Ft. Benning and served with the 124th Demonstration Regiment there. He went
overseas as a rifle company commander, serving in succession as a service company
commander, as battalion executive officer, as battalion commander, as assistant
G-3 of the 103rd Division and on special duty with the 3rd Division. He was
commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on March 21, 1942, the date he completed his studies
and left the U. of O. campus for active service. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant
December 21, 1942 and to Captain, June 6, 1943. He was elevated to the rank of
Major November 8, 1945 and discharged on June 29, 1946.
Immediately upon his return home from war and hospitals, Cooke enrolled
in the Davis Daniel Post 133 of The American Legion at Dawson, Ga., in 1946. He
has been service officer of his Post for five years, His energy in American Legion
program activities, particularly community services, rehabilitation and national
security, led to his rapid advance in leadership on the district and state levels.
He was elected Department Commander for 1948-49 of the Georgia American Legion.
Under his leadership his Department won the Dan Sowers Trophy awarded by the
National Americaniam Commission annually for the largest increase in post-sponsored
Junior Baseball teams, having increased the total to 212, His dramatic advocacy of
national security built on Universal Military Training led to his appointment in
late 1948 as national security chairman of The American Legion. He held this post
in 1949 and in 1950 during which period he travelled many thousands
Extended Page
2.1
cooing public meetings and American Legion rallies on the
adequate needs for national security, He also made numerous forceful presentations
on UMT and other preparedness measures before various Congressional Committees.
During these years his reputation and stature grew throughout The American Legion.
RCV BY:Xerox Telecopier 7021 ; 8-15-89 ; 4:35PM ;
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- 3 -
He was born at Dawson, Ga., May 10, 1921, the son of Erle, Sr., and Elise
Meadows Cocke. He was educated in public and high schools at Dawson and Macon and
Atlanta before going to the University of Georgia. He received his AB Degree there
in 1942 with a major in history and law. In 1946, after his discharge from the
Army, he went to the Harvard Business School where he received his Master of
Business Administration Degree. At the University of Georgia he was active in.
extra-curricular activities being president of the Phi Kappa Literary Society and
Student Manager of Athletics.
Following the completion of his college schooling, Cocke became associat-
ed with a food processing company at Dawson which specialized in manufacturing
peanut butter. Later he became executive director of the Agricultural and Indus-
trial Development Board of Georgia. Subsequently he was retained as General -
Industrial Agent of the Central of Georgia Railway Company. Recently he has
become assistant to the president of the Delta Air Lines. He also operates a
1,200-acre farm at Dawson where he raises peanuts and blooded cattle.
One of the busiest young men in the South, Cocke has managed to take part
in numerous civic activities. He has been very active in the promotion of the
legislative programs of the Parent-Teacher Association, the Junior Chamber of
Commerce, the Georgia Citizens Council and other groups. His record of civic
service led to his selection as the outstanding young man of Georgia for 1949 by
the Georgia Junior Chamber of Commerce, and one of the ten outstanding young men
of the nation by the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce.
Cocke is single and a member of the Dawson Baptist Church. He is also
a member of the Atlanta Chapter Red Cross Advisory Committee; the Atlanta Junior
Chamber; the Disabled American Veterans; Voiture 909 of the Forty and Eight at
Albany, Georgia; the AMVETS; VFW; Military Order of World Wars, Terrell County
Farm Bureau; Georgia Citizens Council; Northside Kiwanis Club of Atlanta; Kappa
Alpha Fraternity; the Special Survey Committee reporting to the Secretary of
Defense on the Departments of the Air Force and Air Academy; vice chairman of the
State Committee of the Stone Mountain Memorial Authority; Terrell County Chamber
of Commerce; and is immediate past first vice president of the University of
Georgia Alumni Society.
Erle Cocke, Jr., today is living proof of the value of military training
as survival insurance for American fighting men.
for saving his life. He said:
He credits the advance training which he received before
Extended Page
3.1
case am alive when today only because I was insured by basic military training which in
"My four years of combat service have impressed upon me indelibly that I
it came to hand-to-hand fighting spelled the difference between life my
of it means security insurance for our Nation. That' B why I am fighting for
death. I know that UMT means survival insurance for American youth just as much and as
for Universal our Country. Military " Training as the framework for a modern defense establishment adoption
Aiken
-
Hitler
Hitler - Lippmann
813
awson
This war no longer bears the characteris-
sponsible only to its own conscience is not for
ties of former inter-European conflicts. It is
long tolerable. It holds that since any govern-
one of those elemental conflicts which usher
ment is liable to fail, there is needed a
hat
all
means
are
in a new millennium and which shake the
method of changing the governors without
then
their
good
world once in a thousand years.
wrecking the state. It holds that unless there
from the evil that
Speech to the Reichstag [April
is a method, be it through elections or other-
26, 1942]
wise, by which the governed can make their
he
Nations
[1942]
Is Paris burning?¹
views effective in some proportion to their
Asked at the Oberkommando der
weight, the nation is at the mercy of violence
dalla
Wehrmacht, Rastenburg, Germany
in the form of terrorism, assassination, con-
[August 25, 1944]
spiracy, mass compulsion, and civil war.
4
In Defense of Liberalism. From
ames has always
Vanity Fair [November 1934]
mple dynastic ar-
George S. Kaufman
10
This law which is the spirit of law is the
James I, James
1889-1961
opposite of an accumulation of old precedents
3
Satire is what closes Saturday night.
and new fiats. By this higher law, that men
Supermen [1920]
Saying
must not be arbitrary, the old law is continu-
ally tested and the new law reviewed.
The Good Society [1937], ch. I5
George S. Kaufman
11 In foreign relations, as in all other rela-
15
1889-1961
tions, a policy has been formed only when
applied the one
and
commitments and power have been brought
st victory over rea-
Moss Hart
into balance.
1904-1961
U.S. Foreign Policy [1943]
(My Battle) [1933],
vol. I, ch. 2
You Can't Take It with You. 2
12 The final test of a leader is that he leaves
Title of play [1936]
behind him in other men the conviction and
replace the man.
The Man Who Came to Dinner.
the will to carry on.
The genius of a
ols do not make one
sion is not likely to
Title of play [1939]
good leader is to leave behind him a situation
which common sense, without the grace of
wards.
Ib. 3
George Washington Slept Here.
genius, can deal with successfully.
fense but in attack
Title of play [1940]
Roosevelt Has Gone [April 14, 1945]
Ib.
13
The world state is inherent in the United
be popular and has
Stoddard King
Nations as an oak tree is in an acorn.
el to the perception
1889-1933
One World or None [1946]
:hose towards whom
Ib. 6
There's a long, long trail a-winding
14 A regime, an established order, is rarely
Into the land of my dreams,
overthrown by a revolutionary movement;
he people
will
Where the nightingales are singing
usually a regime collapses of its own weak-
O a big lie than to a
And a white moon beams.
ness and corruption and then a revolutionary
Ib. 10
movement enters among the ruins and takes
The Long, Long Trail [1913]
over the powers that have become vacant.
tablishment of two
For Charles de Gaulle. From Today
urope.
Ib. II, 14
Walter Lippmann
and Tomorrow [June 5, 1958]
1889-1974
15
We have neglected our own affairs. Our ed-
ork I have achieved.
soldier and merely
Whether we wish it or not we are involved
ucation is inadequate, our cities are badly
n the world's problems, and all the winds of
built, our social arrangements are unsatisfac-
wer, the unity of the
ve freed it from the
heaven blow through our land.
tory. We can't wait another generation. Un-
less we can surmount this crisis, and work
illes.
4
A Preface to Politics [1913], ch. 4
and get going onto the path of a settlement in
to the troops on tak
The liberal philosophy holds that enduring
Asia, and a settlement in Europe, all of these
eadership of the Ger
governments must be accountable to some-
plans of the Great Society here at home, all
forces [December 21.
ne beside themselves; that a government re-
the plans for the rebuilding of backward
countries in other continents will all be put
them by the aggression of Germany and her Allies.
on the shelf, because war interrupts every-
Governments affirm w
231 (the "war guilt clause"), Treaty of Versailles
thing like that.
bility of Germany and
1919]
and damage to which
brennt Paris?
Conversations with Walter Lipp-
ments and their national
The Song of the Harper, 3:2; Ecclesiastes 5:15, 27:2;
mann [1965]. Lippmann and Eric
quence of the war imposse
mothy 6:7, 51:1; and Theognis, 67:6.
Sevareid [February 22, 1965]
FIFTEEN AND
25TH ANNHER RY EDITIO.
BARTLETTS
lar
Bartlett
REVISED AND ENLARGED
RCV BY:Xerox Telecopier 7021 8-15-89 4:39PM
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The AMERICAN LEGION
22
By HAMILTON GREENE
ered by some of our finest newspaper men.
them had witnessed at least some of
And you can be absolutely sure that, as
action. I, of course, had no daily cable
far as facts go, they do tell the truth. They
file, so I just went up to my room and
fight continually to get every. scrap of
thought about it.
pertinent news through the regular censor-
I thought of the men who were crouch.
ship channels, so that we at home will know
ing in the cellars and foxholes in and
the score. They don't hold back disagree-
around Bettendorf. I thought of one whole
able news for purposes of policy or morale,
company who must be staring miserably
The American newscasters, newspapers and
at nothing, still under strain from the ter-
magazines give the most adequate cover-
rifying memory of an hour in the beet fields
age of accurate war news of any country
when, with all their officers down and with
in the world, But, at the same time, the
no knowledge of what lay on either side
news dispatches and feature articles do not
or in front of them, they dumbly awaited
-and in fact cannot-reveal with suffi-
the incoming mortar shells to blast them
cient clarity the miserable, muddy, bloody
into oblivion. They had been pinned down,
SOME GUYS came in to see me and we
face of war which is so horribly familiar to
bewildered and confused, and an officer
the Joes who fight it. And I realized, of
had the radio on, and the radio said the
was sent out to them only just in time, I
course, that we couldn't tell what war
Ninth and First Armies were. going great
thought of those men, and knew that not
was. really like because there simply aren't
guns. They'd busted through on the Cologne
one of the busy typewriters, audible in the
the words with which to tell it.
plain and crossed the Rhine in a dozen
room below, was telling the things those
places. So many towns were taken, so
To the man in the field, the nightmare
Joes must be thinking. The newsmen were
many prisoners. My friends were happily
of war is one of feeling. It is a constant
simply stating, "American troops also oc-
battering at his emotional resources. How
excited, and they said things like "Now
cupied Bettendorf.
we're really going!" and "It won't be long
can his view of war be indicated by a nar
This is not intended as an indictment
now!" It's easy to feel that way when
rative of troop movements, by a statement
of the way correspondents write their sto-
you're on this side of the Atlantic, as
of results accomplished? The pictures and
ries. We write the facts, and describe the
movies can get a little closer to it, but
am now.
I listened to the report with interest
words cannot describe it any more than
but the happy, excited part somehow wasn't
words can convey the spiritual nature of
in me. I heard the triumphant words of
a. deeply religious experience.
the newscaster, but my mind was seeing
I can remember a night at. the Press
something else. I was visualizing a bleak
Camp, following the opening of our No-
dawn, and the silent, bedraggled Joes push-
vember offensive on the Cologne plain. It
ing off in column across those muddy beet
was the day I'd watched the boys take
fields. I could see the misery of wet and
Bettendorf, All the reporters were bang-
_cold in their bearded faces as they clung
ing away at their typewriters; for the first
to the mud when the pillboxes began to
time in a long while they had a real story.
chatter.
They had all of the facts, and most of
I saw these and other things-horrible,
dirty things. But through this shifting
vision of war's ugliness, what I could see
most clearly were the faces of those count-
less muddy boys who, seeing my corres-
pondent's insignia, had asked me with
despair in their eyes, "Does anyone ever
tell them the truth? Do they know what
it's really like?"
Well, here I was, back home for a rest.
and I'd had a chance to think a little, and
so I turned this question over in my mind.
Do the correspondents tell the truth? Do
they tell the people at home what war is
really like? Why does the combat soldier
feel instinctively that his friends and fam-
ily in the States get. but a dim sense of
the unutterable brutality of war-that they
"We see him kneel in the mud with
can't really see the war as he sees it?
God knows, the war is adequately cov-
his rifle ready and the fear of
uncertainty written in his eyes"
RCV BY:Xerox Telecopier 7021 8-15-89 ; 3:42PM
6358411-
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23
Illustrated by the Author
Really Like
war, and we do it the best way we know
how. But even when the reporters go be-
yond news as such, and write about special
bits of stuff such as Gus so-and-so taking
a pillbox, it never seems to me their sto-
ries convey the true feeling of what it was
like. The hero yarns read like those sports
juveniles in which dauntless Dick Merri-
well wins for Old Fardale. If Gus's exploit
is. spectacular enough, or be has got the
to
Silver-Star but of it, the radio people will
and
put the incident on the air, preparing a
script that has drama dripping from every
syllable. The musical score will help to
and
load the emotional responses of the listener.
Eyes will wet at the right moment, and in
the end, pride in our heroic boys will swell
the heart.
I honestly can see no other way for it
to be done. And if Gus himself could hear
it, be might mumble, "Yeah, it was some-
thing like that. But in a way that he can't
quite explain, he knows that, to him, it
wasn't really like that at all. The script
would seem very out of focus with the
I
way he remembered it. Because what he
not
would remember would be, not the facts
the
or the result, but the agony of soul that
tore him apart as he did the job.
He would remember the sickening sound
of the tinny voice of his company com-
mander over the radio, ordering the work
to be done; the gnawing uncertainty when
he tried to figure the thing out. There had
probably been no noise, no rolling cacoph-
ony of martial background to bolster his de-
sire to do or die. In fact, there had probably
been a ghastly, deadly, nerve-breaking quiet.
He would remember the guys that froze
before they reached the spot where they
could give him cover fire, and he would
remember his face in the wet leaves as he
fumbled for his grenades-his fight to con-
trol the corroding fear in his guts. And he
would be a little confused after that as
to just what happened, but he would see
again with startling clarity the Jerry pris-
oner holding the spurting stump of his
wrist, and the grotesque shape of the cor-
poral bunched against the smoking rear
door of the pillbox.
Yes, Gus would know what it was like.
But, calling to mind that horrible all-gone
minute of misery that was victory, would
he remember having felt even for a sec-
ond any sense of heroism? Any elation
over a job well done? Any sense of brute
conquest? He would, like hell. He would
know only too well that he had felt just
plain bloody awful.
As I say, we correspondents do what we
can and do it the way the publishers and
the public can understand it, but the sum
total of our efforts, from the viewpoint of
Joe himself, doesn't quite seem to ring
the bell. We see and feel the hard knot of
Joe's perpetual discomfort, the odious grime
(Continued on page 47)
RCV
BY:Xerox
lelecopier
7021
MAY, 1945
47
City, may have been one of the reasons
FALSE TEETH
we stopped at. the bedside of Claude E.
Lewis of Evergreen, Texas, who was se-
WEARERS
lecting a book from her portable library.
Lewis had been an automatic rifleman with
the 9th Division. At Carentan, in Nor-
IT'S such
mandy, on June rath, he received a foot
AM BASY WAY
wound from a sniper bullet. Hospitalized
TO GET YOUR
in England, he returned to duty with his
VITAMINSL
regiment last Sept. 18th, near Mets. On
Attns Jeffrays
REPUBLIC STAR
ALL THESE
Nov. r5th he received his second wound-
COD TO EAT and good for
VITAMINS IN
a fractured. leg, when struck by shrapnel.
you! For that extra energy
EVERY BAR
It was getting near evening chow time
and the vitamins you need,
enjoy VITA-SERT every day.
40001.U.
in the hospital and so I had to forego
How YOU Can Avoid
It's a delicious chocolate bar-
1 Mg.
2.Mg.
additional visits with the men on the ward.
chock-full of vitamins that
4001.U.
makes a perfect midday des-
Rest assured; all of them were happy to
DENTURE BREATH
sert or between meal snack.
DATE
be home and particularly happy that through
Buy VITA-SERT at any food,
daily
drug or candy counter!
the outstanding work of the Medical De-
partment of the Army Air Forces, with the
Don't blame your son, Mister, if he
VitaSert
Quaranteed
by
active aid and co-operation of the North
shies away! Even his little nose can't take
Bood
Atlantic Division of the Air Transport
your Denture Breath. Avoid offending.
Don't brush with cleansers that scratch
Command, they were able to make the
plate material. Such scratches help food
journey 50 swiftly and comfortably.
particles and film to collect faster, cling
tighter, causing offensive Denture Breath.
WHAT IT'S LIKE
SOAK BENTURES POLIDENT DAILY
Keep
(Continued from page 23)
he cannot escape, the sickening revulsion
Perspiring Feet
BRUSHING
of too familiar rations. But our stories
don't reflect it the way Joe feels it. We
Dry and Sweet
write of his courage under dariger and
sometimes of the misery of his fear, but
Don't suffer longer with wet. perspiring fest.
Don't walk around all day with damp sooks or
we know that his misery is far more than
stockings that torture tender feet. Just dust your
a mere sense of danger. It is a misery com-
feet and shoes with Allen's Foot-Base that won-
darful, soothing, cooling powder that sete instantly
pounded of endless miles in a jeep with
to absorb excessive perspiration and stop offensive
toot odors. Go to the nearest drug store and get
the windshield down-the bottomless mud
Allen's Foot-Base. Get rid of that wet. clammy feel-
-the bad weather-the hopeless nostalgia
What's more
brushing with ordinary
ing - enjoy the bilasful comfort of dry socks and
dockings-get foot-happy today the Foot-Ease way.
for home, the inevitability of a tomorrow
tooth pastes, tooth powders or soaps, often
that offers no escape except perhaps death.
wears down the delicate fitting ridges on
caused by
We sense his bewilderment. When the
your plate. With worn-down ridges, of
NAUSE
travel metion,
course, your plate may loosen. There's no
relieved with
attack begins, we see him advance, not in
brushing-so no such danger with Polident
MOTHERSIEL'S
a heroic headlong charge, but with appall-
-and soaking is so easy, 80 sure.
ing hesitation punctuated by little darting
Used seccessfully over
SEASICK
a third of 1 century
rushes. If the column balts for some reason
# LAND IN SEA
unknown to him, we see him kneel in the
THE
=
mud with rifle ready and the fear of un-
certainty written in his eyes. He may try
WE
cost and The with correctly PANTS
MATCH
frantically to know what goes on, but no
ToAnySulti
one can tell him. He asks desperately of
Double the life of your
his buddy, "Are we getting tanks in sup-
matched pants, 000 patterno.
port?" "Is the heavy weapons company
Every Date hand Callored to your measure,
Our sent FREE for your D. before
behind us?" "Is Company A still on our
pasts are made, VII guaranteed. Send place
of cloth OF today.
left, or were they wiped out?" And his
SUPERIOR MATCH PANTS COMPANY
209 8. State $1.
Dear. 531
Chissge 4
buddy's helpless eyes stare at him from
ARE YOU HANDY WITH TOOLS?
under his helmet and his dirty beard mum-
bles, "It beats the hell out of me!"
Learn to Be # Service Mechanis in
Later-Now it's real fun-for Dad and sont
REFRIGERATION
We see him move into the villages of
No offensive Denture Breath to spoil it.
Germany and live in their horrid desola-
He's one of the delighted millions who have
and AIR-CONDITIONING-at Home /
tion, a desolation practically impossible to
found Polident the new, easy way to keep
Exceptional opportunity for men of all ages up
describe. It's more than shattered build-
dental plates and bridges sparkling clean,
60. The demand for repair and service me-
chanics in REFRIGERATION and AIR CONDI-
ings, streets deep with roof slates and
odor-free. Use Polident daily to help main-
the war. Our practical. thorough course trains
NONING 1s acute, and will continue long after
household litter; or broken equipment dis-
tain the original natural appearance of your
YOU at home. It's easy to grasp. A common
carded by the roadside. It's the dead Ger-
denture. Costs less than 1c a day. All drug
chool education Is enough. No previous ex-
counters; 30c, 60c.
Prience is required. Learn how to start your
man lying in the gutter face up, plastered
wn business with $50 worth of
0018 in garage or basement. Or
gray with mud splashed from passing trucks
ske a job in this well paid field.
FREE
and jeeps. Mud in the open mouth. Mud
Vrite for Free Booklet today. No
Bookist
bligation whatever.
in the eye sockets. It's the dead farm wife
Use POLIDENT
MECHANICS TRAINING SCHOOL
in the orchard bent forward as if in per-
TO KEEP PLATES AND BRIDGES
101 W. Pleo Dept. A-5 Los Angeles 6. Cellf.
petual prayer with her buttocks shot away,
CLEAN
AND ODOR-FREE!
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AY, 1945
The AMERICAN LEGION Magazine
leaving a yawning crimson cavern. Dead
OCULENS SUNGLASSES
SAN FRAN
cows and pigs, swelling and smelling. And
(Continued from
that goddam wounded sheep that keeps
hything that seems mys
crawling all over town dragging his shat-
kely.
tered hind legs, making pitiful noises, but
Every participant in t
which nobody ever gets around to shooting.
are has suffered from th
Whatever cellar the soldier crouches in
emerging together int
is stinking dirty. He lies in filthy straw,
follow the sound of
wet to the skin and without blankets be-
iaring tragedy together,
cause the detail hasn't made it across the
illed to help each oth
sea of mud that is the only approach into
ussians have given us e
town. And the fear of the impending Ger-
man artillery is maggots in his stomach.
Excellent
Russians, the aid that
fince, and France has 8
We see these things and we know how it
FOR
FISHING
Ton in an endless, inte
is, yet, when we write of advancing on
to Sleep By
The natural sid to better perform.
in no' case been an a
towns and capturing them, we cannot help
ance in all sports! Restful OCULENS
lied state has done all
POLighters"
making it sound fatuously triumphal-
Sunglasses filter out harmful, strain-
iver to help its fellows
will have to continue to
knowing all the time that the brutal fact
producing direct and reflected sun
vidual salvation. We W
noins ZIPPO Windproof
of battle has smothered any serise of tri-
rays. Prevent that hard, drawn, tired
without the Russia
orks at the sip of the wheel.
look - Buy a pair of OCULENS at
the boys on the high area
umph in Joe himself. He is tough enough
your favorite store today.
buld have lost the wa
TO fully supplied.
t for Imitations claimed to
and philosophical enough that the bestial-
Eliminate Sun-Squint. Sun-Blar, and Swn.
th would have lost th
ity will not scar him permanently. His
Glare without MASKING Clear Vision and
be ZIPPO, or "ZIPPO
True Color Valties. OCULENS Sunglation
itish.
type"-you may "pay *
sympathy, generosity and his humour are
meet U. S. Army specifications for absorp
high blackmarket price
sion of infra-red and ultra-violet regs.
That is the practical rea
for something that won's
the guardians of his sanity. But I do know
ations delegates have t
work-se wait . little
longer for A GENUINE
that, in spite of the understanding of his
ZIPPO.
Oculens
Trademerk Complete
in Francisco. Their effo
buddies, Joe feels damned alone when he
Company, New Yes
sobering yet hearter
Your PX carries genuine.
ZIPPO Flints and Fluid.
realises that the grim sordid background
CLEAN VISION
SUNGLASSES
our still current ex
ZIPPO MFG. CO.
of his daily life cannot be adequately
post-war years. In (
Dept. AL
Bradford, Pa.
painted, photographed or written for the
Get More
will all hang separatel
people at home. Knowing the complete
gether. It is the function
divorce between his point of view and the
INSTEAD
point of view of those he loves, he keeps
Comfort For
ICO meeting to create
il keep us hanging tog
hoping against hope that some miraculous
utual interest and muti
GHTER
feat of journalism can establish a ground
Standing Feet
war is over.
of common understanding. That is why,
time after time, he stands before us plead-
With An Ice-Mint Treat
It can be done.
Don't let tired, burning sensitive fest ateal
Our friends-and, be
ing, "Can't you tell them the truth?"
energy and make the hours seem longer. Rub on
B little Ice-Mint and feel the bileafully cool and
any-are frankly afrai
soothing sensation of comfort that follows, as this
ayed at home, who have
I
LOOKED at those friends of mine, still
frosty-white medicinal cream HOUS to work driving
out flery burning and sching tiredness. Grand, too,
avoid the full terror (
clustered around the radio and thought,
to help soften up painful corns and callouses. So
don't delay-get foot happy today the Ice-Mint
ason care less than th
"These guys are sympathetic guys. Surely
way. At all druggists,
made impossible.
extrans
I can tell them something of what it's
It not only can be d
like." I stood up and went over to the
TWO VALUES
ne if we the ordinary P
window, and looked out at the black night.
FOR ONE
ites, support the mai
The guns were far away but my memory
Assured Income for Life.
re on our own west
could still hear them. The mud of the
Joy In Helping Others
part of the same en
front was across the ocean but my feet
through Selvation Army
Suggestions
Gift Annuities.
ve supported the was
could still feel it. The dead were out of
sight but they could still appear before
Learn how you may receive a Guaranteed
ve swept across the V
you to get
Life Income that in safe, dependable and
allies.
$ mileage
my smarting eyes.
regular. Income 108 deduction. Dates
21/2% 10 7% depending on age. Write for
Mean-minded, blinke
ire life
Tell anyone what war was like? Well, I
FREE Booklet, giving age. Annuity Dep't 45
last great opportun
was still in the business and I was still
THE SALVATION ARMY
130
formance
aceful partnership of
trying, but-hell, I can't do it.
eep costs
pyment of an ingeniou
FALSE TEETH
arted the plan for a wo
OP
inciple." They throttle
KLUTCH holds them tighter
detail.
KLUTCH forms a comfort cushion: holds dental
At the annual conven
below
platus to much firmer and snugger that one can
eat and talk with greater comfort and security in
in Legion in Chicago
many cause almost as well " with natural teath.
not, Room 1739
resolved that
"
Klutch lessons the constant fear of a dropping.
ITROIT 2. MICH.
rocking, chafing plate. 260 and 50a at druggists.
ust be permanently
If your druggist hasn't ft, don't entite money an
awedition 64-page
substitutes, but send us.100 and we will mail you
terly unable again to
"-centaining 196
a generous trial box.
c 1. P. INC.
vartime operation.
KLUTCH co., Sex 4552-E, ELIMIRA, N. Y
world, After subjug
tupied and controlled.
It was so decided at y
State
Expel WORM & CAPSULES Combrastion Treatment
It was resolved that
en restored to the w
vigilant to protect it
tone
nance of peace is insi
"Oh, never mind announcing
TAPE, ROUND (Ascarid)
the cost of war."
me. He'll be out in a minute.'
HOOK AND WHIP WORMS
50+
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OCTOBER
1944
Heroes All!
By FRANK KELLEY
The conquest of Saipan was accomplished in the face
of the toughest resistance American fighting men have
ever faced. The mon who can prove he took part in
that operation is entitled to your gratitude
Sketches by WILLIAM VON RIEGEN
Ready for anything
shaggy red whiskers and tells you that the
"Banzai!" For six hours Americans traded
job done by his men in twenty-three days'
bullet for bullet, grenade for grenade. And
By wireless from Scipan
constant fighting was so magnificent he
when our boys ran out of ammunition they
HROUGH these portals pass the
T
cannot single out anyone for special praise.
darted up to the Japanese bodies, grabbed
best damned fighting men in the
That in a nutshell is the story of Saipan
rifles and ammunition clips and used those.
world."
-one of teamwork by land, air, surface and
Hundreds of these enemy fanatics got back
So reads the sign over a. bar in
submarine forces.
to a Marine artillery post. Marines leveled-
Honolulu. Out here on Saipan as on every
As long as Americans talk of Saipan
their guns and fired point blank. The Jap-
other fighting front these Americans have
they'll talk of "Bloody Friday." That was
anese fell in rows. But they kept on com-
proved themselves just that. With a pro-
the day four thousand Japanese remnants
ing. The Marines then fired with cut fuses
digious amount of blood, sweat, tears-and
of 20,000 originally here decided to make
and when the Japs got too close they began
prayers-they cracked open this gateway to
a fanatical banzai attack.
ricochet fire until shrapnel began flying
Japan and in 24 days, seven hours, twenty
They knew they were doomed, but they
back into the Americans' faces. That's
minutes of fighting installed the newest
wanted to take more of those "American
where these doughty Marines became in-
American colony just fifteen hundred miles
Devils" with them. At dawn, July 7th, they
fantrymen. They seized their carbines and
from Tokyo.
rushed our lines. They came with crude
put up an infantry scrimmage line. They
It wasn't just a handful or even a score
spears, with rusty rifles, with clubs and
fired and lobbed grenades until they ran
of men who were the heroes on this job.
knives. They'd partaken liberally of Sake
out of ammunition. But the Japanese thrust
Saipan's heroes are numbered in tens of
and made their thrust with loud howls of
(Continued on page 45)
thousands-every mother's son who played
a part, however small, in this greatest long-
mnge, amphibious operation of all time.
Your hero is a sweating, bearded rifleman
of Marines or Army who crawled on his
stomach and wiped out that Japanese ma-
chine-gun nest with a grenade. Your hero
is the amphibious tractor driver who took.
his cargo of fighting men over treacherous
coral reef and onto beaches under a shower
of artillery and mortar fire. Or you will
raise your glass to the doctors who with
red-rimmed, tired eyes worked by flashlight
under tents at the front while snipers' bul-
lets whined. Or to the ten Army nurses
who have worked sixteen hours a day since
their arrival and wouldn't go home for a
million dollars.
There are the airmen and naval gunners
who softened Saipan's defenses in advance
of D-Day. And there are the sailors and
Coast Guardsmen whose task may have
been simply carrying messages or manning
brooms and who ask you wistfully what's
it been like ashore. Lieutenant Colonel
Joseph T. Hart of New York, commanding
the fighting-Irish Army regiment, rubs his
He bounced the granades off the corrugated iron shield
RCV BY:Xerox Telecopier 7021 8-15-89 3:46PM ;
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OCTOBER, 1044
45
HEROES ALL!
THOSE IN THE FOR
(Continued from page 19)
was blunted right there and those Nips
who remained blew themselves up with
grenades.
A
FEW hundred yards northwest of this
Marine battery several hundred Army
men were pinned into two pockets with
their backs to the beach. They stayed there
until their ammunition got low. They then
counterattacked and beat their way out,
mowing down Japs by the score. In the
midst of this battle Marine First Lieuten-
ant Arnold Hofstetter of San Diego took
47 men and retired to an enemy airplane-
engine dump. There among the crates they
fashioned a circular fortress and fought for
eight hours before aid reached them. Fif-
teen of these men were wounded and three
killed. They had no water except for a
few cans of rain dripping from a tarpaulin.
In the same area Private First Class Rod-
ney Sandburg of Minneapolis, who is twenty
and an artilleryman, fought with typical
American courage. He dashed through ma-
chine-gun fire to one of our tanks and
asked it to radio for aid and medical equip-
ment. On his return trip Sandburg carried
precious water in two helmets. Later he
made a second trip to the same tank, sum-
BOTTLEDIN-BOND
moning it to wipe out an enemy machine-
gun nest.
A Marine private, Donald Evans of
Wilkes-Barre, Pa., was in one of our ma-
chine-gun pits when the enemy began heav-
ing grenades at it. Evans reached for 2
sheet of corrugated iron roofing, and used
it as a shield. Whenever a grenade came
sailing through he got there in time and
bounced it off.
In the closing days of the Salpan battle
OLD CROW
8 22-year-old Army private from Schenec-
BRAND
tady, New York, John M. Purcell, aligned
eight rifles along a trench to cover a clear-
ing, then ran from one to the other, pulling
the triggers as the Japanese attacked his
KENTUCKY STRAIGHT
BOURBON WHISKEY
sector. Between enemy thrusts Purcell
tushed from gun to gun, reloading each.
At times he had to collect loose ammu-
nition and fit bullets into clips.
"I felt like the proverbial one-armed
paperhanger with the seven-year itch,"
Purcell said later. He helped save the
Truly Great Name
American line, which, whittled by day-long
themy attacks and constant sniping, was
AMONG AMERICA'S GREAT WHISKIES
drawn tight around the beach position shel-
tering helpless American wounded. Purcell
The Old Crow whiskey you buy today was distilled and laid
is being recommended for an award for
his resourcefulness and gallantry.
away to age years before the war. The Old Crow Distillery,
Another of these so-called appleknockers
from upstate New York is Captain Earl La
sketched above, is cooperating with the government alcohol
White, 35, also of Schenectady.
program. We are doing our utmost to distribute our reserve
A direct hit in his area set fire to a
shack wherein we had stored grenades and
stocks so as to assure you a continuous supply for the duration,
small-arms ammunition. It began popping
like giant firecrackers. Men hugged their
Nestroky Straight Whiskey Bourben as Eye This whiskey is 4 years old National Distillars Products Corporation, New York 100 Proof
RCV BY:Xerox Telecopier 7021 8-15-89 ; 4:43PM
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The AMERICAN LEGION Magazine
46
POKER 8 PLACE
foxholes while shells continued falling.
The battle here took a heavy toll of offi.
White started alone for the burning shack,
cers and it was estimated about half way
plunged into it and came out a moment
through the campaign that there was one
The
D-AWAY
later with a limp American form. He turned
officer casualty for every fifteen men killed
RD TABLE
around, went deliberately into the flames
or wounded. That means only one thing:
a second time and dragged out another
Officers were out there in the thick of it,
burned man.
There was a Hawaiian in the 27th Divi.
Not all of Saipan's heroism is found
sion who took his revenge for Pearl Har-
among the GI Joes and junior officers. The
bor. He's Private Willie Hokoana, 30, of
Just as the kis:
colonels inspired their men with personal
Maui Island. He propped his Browning
leadership under fire, crawling after snip-
automatic rifle in a tree crotch during the
ers and in other examples of selflessness.
Banzai attack of July seventh. Willie
the kiss of the h
VER new convenience for
1 players. The all-purpose
In command of one Army battalion was a
stayed at that tree in the open for ninety
le playtableforsmall apart-
lieutenant colonel from New York who was
minutes while waves of Japanese came at
den or recreation room.
mproved model. Attrac-
killed leading his troops against that fanati-
the beach perimeter line he was guarding.
of the bitterness
inished.substantiallymade.
cal charge of bloody Friday. He was last
His commanding officer said Hokoana gol
legs. Nothing to loosen or
ut. Now custom made-de-
reported wounded in the shoulder, but still
200 Japs.
within 10 days. Only $34.50
is collect. Money refunded
standing and shooting his pistol into the
Easterners had no monopoly of glory on
leased. Makes an ideal gift.
advancing enemy lines. They say be later
Saipan. Take Corporal James T. Borden
E GAME CO., Dept. R-7
dropped his pistol, snatched up a Japanese
of Kansas City, Missouri, who was hemmed
saber and hacked down the foe as they
in with other Army comrades in that suicid.
N AT HOME
swarmed over the positions. He refused to
al enemy attack of the seventh. There
room equip-
home. Un-
retire, saying, "Get more of those Nips."
were eighty Army wounded in Borden's
arbecue sup-
resetul Enter-
Typical of the refusal of American offi-
vicinity and as the day grew hotter and
cers to accept any privileges due their rank
the sun beat fiercely calls for water became
TION
SERVICE
at the expense of privates was the case of
urgent. Every canteen was dry and none
MECHANICS
Lieutenant Colonel Evans F. Carlson of
was expected from the rear. The only source
ONING
COURSE
Marine Raider fame. I traveled to Saipan
was "a Japanese cistern a hundred yards
your own repair shop on lit-
lence needed. Common school
on a transport with Carlson, watched him
away across a field crisscrossed with bul-
opportunity for older men.
work tirelessly in a stuffy cabin on his Divi-
lets and mortar fire. Borden, dragging two
r. FREE illustrated hooklet
sion's plans. Colonel Carlson went ashore
helmets for pails, made four trips over that
INING SCHOOL
0 Los Angeles 6, Callf.
early in the battle and a few days later
field-crawling, running, now crouching,
due to travel motion.
was out front at an observation post with
now hitting the dirt. The first time at the
RELIEVED
Lieutenant Colonel Justice Chambers of
cistern Borden found the water too low,
with the aid of
Washington, D. C., and Private Vito Cas-
so he ripped open his leggings and used the
saro of Brooklyn. The Japanese spotted the
laces to lower the helmets.
SEASICK
post and opened machine gun fire. Cassaro
Nor will historians of Saipan forget the
was hit first. Carlson started to carry him
men who drove armored bulldozers to the
REMED
back to safety and received bullets in the
front lines hauling hot coffee and mail from
left arm and leg. Chambers was wounded
home. That mail was handled by Marine
F ADDRESS
slightly. They started to pull Carlson from
Captain Emmet Harding of Hempstead,
the scene first but he called them off with,
New York, and his team, who at the peak
B been changed since
lues, notice of such
"Take the private first-he was hit first."
of the fighting processed 7,000 V-mail let-
it at once to the Cir-
Carison is now recovering in San Diego.
ters one day. Nor can we forget the tele-
The American Legion
He has said Tarawa was a sideshow com-
phone-line stringers, the radio men, the
X 1055, Indianapolis.
pared with Saipan.
truck drivers. It was indeed a team job.
T Post Adjutant what
:MATION BELOW
DDRESS
Print)
JUST THE
and No.
DRESS
"Get to the end of the linel"
THE BEE
ARMS CONTROL AGENCY
TEL: 202-647-6721
Aug 15,89 9:48 No.007 P.01
United States Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
August 15, 1989
TO: Curt Smith, Presidential Speechwriter, The White House,
Fax 456-6218
FROM: Joe Duggan, Office of Ambassador Edward L. Rowny, 647-4153
Here is the letter President Bush sent congressional leaders of both
houses and both parties before the floor action on the DoD
authorization.
I look forward to working with you to coordinate the American Legion
speeches.
HRMS CONTROL AGENCY
TEL: 202-647-6721
Aug 15,89 9:48 No 007 P.02
07/25/09 11103
a 202 393 1390
NSL LEGISLATIVE
P.02
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 24, 1989
Dear Senator Dole:
When the Fiscal Year 1990 Defense Authorization Bill comes to the
floor next week, you and your colleagues will make critical
decisions affecting the future of deterrence and arms control for
the balance of the century. Before you vote, I want to be
certain that you understand my reasons for the strategic
modernization program I have proposed.
Taken together, these strategic programs are essential to
preserve a capable, survivable and effective deterrent. They are
an integrated package that deals with the evolving threat and is
flexible enough to hedge against uncertainties. They also
undergird our arms control negotiations and provide incentives to
the Soviets to continue the internal changes they appear to be
making. Each represents, not simply modestly improved capability
but fundamental change in strategy or system performance,
I am optimistic about what we are beginning to see in the Soviet
Union. The Soviets may finally be willing to make significant
changes in the character and size of their military forces. This
willingness is at least in part the result of our commitment to a
modern, capable deterrent force. Weakening the commitment now
could forces. undermine the positive trends we see emerging in Soviet
I have taken another hard look at SDI and confirmed that the goal
of the program -- providing the basis for an informed decision on
deployment of defenses that would strengthen deterrence --
remains sound. We owe it to ourselves and our children to pursue
that goal. I am personally and deeply committed to doing SO,
Moreover, SDI is at a critical juncture. The technological
progress we have made means that we need to conduct large scale
realistic, and therefore expensive, tests to prove the
feasibility of defenses. Already, because of cuts required in
the overall Defense budget, I have reluctantly submitted a
revised budget, cutting over $1 billion from the program. If the
Congress cuts even more deeply, our ability to investigate and
test the most promising options will be seriously damaged, We
will be unable to determine, in a meaningful way, whether we can
rely more on defenses for our security. The American people are
entitled to that assessment.
ARMS CONTROL AGENCY
TEL: 202-647-6721
Aug 15,89 9:48 No 007 P.03
07/25/89 11104
& 202 393 1330
NSL LEUIBLMITYL
1:00
2
The B-2 is also at a critical point. The aircraft is based on
revolutionary technology that will guarantee the effectiveness of
the penetrating bomber well into the next century. Without it,
the strategic Triad, which has been the bedrock of our nuclear
strategy, will virtually disappear. The B-2 is also the core of
our START strategy for achieving stable deterrence at reduced
levels. Indeed, under the terms of our current arms control
proposal, the bomber force will be assigned a very large
percentage of our targets. 1 have no doubt that the B-2 is worth
its cost and deserves your support.
ICBM modernization has been marked with considerable controversy
and strong opinion. Yet there is broad agreement that mobility
is required for our land-based missiles to improve their
survivability and enhance their unique capabilities. After
careful review of the issue, I have determined that we should
deploy, in a carefully phased manner, the Rail-garrison
Peacekeeper and the Small road mobile ICBM. I am committed to
doing so.
Rail-garrison Peacekeeper will improve the survivability of the
ICBM force quickly and at modest cost, while preserving the
considerable military capability of this system. The Small ICBM
represents the future of the ICBM force. It offers a high degree
of survivability, even with virtually no warning. But, it will
not be ready to deploy as soon as Rail-garrison and will
obviously be more expensive than a multiple warhead system. We
can field Rail-garrison in the near term while at the same time
continuing development of the Small ICBM for 1997 deployment, We
likewise need to commit to an ICBM mobility program to avoid a
deadlock in the START negotiations on the mobile issue.
In addition to the requirement for these forces as the heart of
our nuclear deterrent strategy, in which they form an integrated
and inseparable whole, there is the role which this modernization
program plays in our arms control strategy. We are entering a
very important and promising stage in our strategic arms control
negotiations. We have already introduced some changes in our
position and we are actively considering others which could make
a significant contribution to the stability of the nuclear
balance. To pull the rug out from under me at this crucial
juncture by weakening my program could destroy this opportunity
to make real progress. Indeed, it could even prevent the
conclusion of an arms control agreement. I need the negotiating
flexibility which this dynamic and sensible modernization program
provides. Don't prevent me from achieving a treaty which could
make great strides toward reducing the chances of nuclear
conflict.
Let me add two cautionary notes. First, good arms control cannot
be legislated. I seek and welcome the advice and counsel of the
ARMS CONTROL AGENCY
TEL: 202-647-6721
Aug 15,89 9:48 No. 007 P.04
07/25/89 11104
& 202 395 7350
NSC LEGISLATIVE
P.04
3
Congress and regularly consult you on the full range of arms
control issues, But, in the final analysis, I must be
responsible for negotiating arms control agreements. The many
arms control amendments that are customarily proposed to the
defense bills only undercut me and our foreign policy and
frequently have an effect opposite to that intended by their
sponsors.
Second, the pressures to play one modernization program off
against another or to pay for one with cuts in another threaten
the balanced strategy behind our programs. Secretary Cheney and
I have had to make hard choices in these times of tight budgets
-- this budget is the best balance of needs and affordability and
represents an integrated strategic approach,
As you begin final debate on the defense bill, I ask you to
carefully consider the affordable, integrated plan we have
designed to strengthen deterrence, to reinforce the incentives
for change in the Soviet Union, and to further our goal of
negotiating arms control agreements that will reduce the
likelihood of nuclear war. We cannot afford to lower our
defenses because of Gorbachev's rhetoric, we cannot afford to
pull the rug out from our negotiators, and we cannot afford to
forfeit the investments we have made in strategic modernization.
We can afford to make the needed improvements provided by this
cohesive, fiscally sound package. It deserves your support.
Sincerely,
CyBurl
The Honorable Robert J. Dole
Minority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, D. C. 20510
AUG
11
'89
14:31
FROM 2026951149
PAGE 002
DEFENSE ISSUES
Vol. 4 No. 13
The Challenge of
The DoD Budget
Statement by Secretary of Detense
Dick Cheney to the House Armed
Services Committee, April 25, 1989.
I've been secretary of defense
we spent our time talking about
last week at Brussels, at NATO,
now for a grand total of 39 days,
was election returns. I would
the perception of a reduced
and, in that period of time, I've
never have thought that was
threat with respect to our allies
come to have an enormous
something I was likely to do with
makes it more difficult for us to
appreciation and respect and
an ambassador from the Soviet
maintain the kind of cohesion
admiration not only for the
Union. But clearly, there is fun-
and unity within the alliance
quality of the people who are
damental change under way.
that's been the cornerstone of
serving both in the military and
When we look at what's transpir-
the success of our strategy for 40
in the civilian side of the Depart-
ing not only in the Soviet Union,
years.
ment of Defense, but also for
but in Eastern Europe-the Pol-
There's a great debate under
the difficult nature of the prob-
ish government's recognition of
way with respect to whether or
lems that all of you have
Solidarity and commitment to
not the changes that we see in
wrestled with over the years.
hold free elections, etc.
the Soviet Union are historically
I never served on the Armed
! have moved from a posture
inevitable or
simply the result
Services Committee, just on the
of skepticism about Mr.
of the policies of one man. Can
Intelligence Committee, and,
(Mikhail) Gorbachev to one of
his policies be easily reversed by
having gone through the exer-
believing that he does, in fact,
his successor, whenever that
cise now of trying to cut $10
seek fundamental change in the
individual takes office?
billion out of the budget for fis-
Soviet system, that his effort to
So, based on those general
cal year 1990, I have an
reform the Soviet economy and
views, Mr. Chairman, I am of the
appreciation that perhaps 1
Soviet society may, in fact, have
opinion that U.S. policy at this
didn't have before, when I used
positive effects in terms of U.S.
time has to be firmly consistent,
to be able to go out on the floor
relations, that we'll end up pos-
not only because of the uncer-
and vote for every single pro-
sibly with a less hostile, less
tainties about the future direc-
gram that was recommended
threatening Soviet Union than
tion of Soviet policy, but also
and never be responsible for try-
we've been faced with before. I
because within the alliance it's
ing to fit it all into the defense
think his intentions seem clear,
absolutely essential the United
budget.
but it's not at all clear to me that
States provide a rock of stability
I have, I think, shared the
he'll be able to pull it off.
around which the rest of the
view that the chairman refer-
What does all of this mean for
alliance can rally, while we main-
enced at the outset in his
U.S. national security policy?
tain a forthright posture with
remarks. I do have a statement
Well, I think while we certainly
respect to the potential prob-
I'd like to submit, if I might, Mr.
can point to benign intentions
lems that could occur if the
Chairman. And then, I do have a
on the part of the stated posture
Soviets should reverse course.
general presentation I'd like to
of Mr. Gorbachev, my problem
I don't believe it's the time for
make, if that's acceptable
is that I have to deal with the
us unilaterally to reduce our
There is no question but that
capabilities that the Soviet Union
commitments or our capabilities.
this is a very challenging time
still possesses. From a military
Such reductions should only be
from the standpoint of the
standpoint, they are still the
taken on a careful step-by-step
United States if we look at our
most formidable power in the
basis in conjunction with our
foreign and defense policies-a
world, relative to the United
allies and as a result of reduced
period of great ferment in the
States, with enormous nuclear
Soviet capabilities. Mr. Cor-
Soviet Union and Eastern
and conventional military
bachev has announced a 14.2
Europe. Two weeks ago, 1 had
capability.
The perception of a
percent reduction in the Soviet
the interesting experience of
reduced threat creates special
defense budget. It's difficult to
having the Soviet ambassador in
problems for us, because,
know exactly what that means,
my office, and the subject that
clearly, having spent two days
because we don't know precisely
1
AUG
11
'89
14:32
FROM 2026951149
PAGE 003
"While we certainly can point to benign
been great. I've heard from a lot
of them in the last couple of
intentions on the part of the stated posture
weeks, all of them interested in
of Mr. Gorbachev, my problem is that I
making certain that 1 don't close
their base or cut their weapon
have to deal with the capabilities that the
system or cancel a program that
they believe is absolutely essen-
Soviet Union still possesses."
tial to national defense. There
isn't any way for me to do what
how much they're spending on
Since January of 1987, just a
I'm expected to do without
defense.
little over two years ago, reduc-
offending somebody, without
But with this budget that I will
tions in defense spending for
breaking some china, without
present to you today, we will
fiscal year 1988 through fiscal
stepping on some toes.
have implemented a 12 percent
year 1994 totaled $373 billion.
They are tough decisions.
reduction in U.S. defense spend-
Stated another way, if the origi-
We've done the best we could, I
ing over the last four years. He's
nal five-year defense program
think, on relatively short notice
proposed a reduction of 10,000
approved in 1986 had been
to put together a responsible
tanks in Eastern Europe, but
implemented, we'd be here
budget under the guidance that
they're still producing 3,400 new
today talking about a defense
we've been given by the Con-
tanks every new year. We've
budget of approximately $479
gress and the president as a
gone from a level of 1,200 tanks
billion for next year. Instead,
result of the compromise that
per year down to a level of less
we're talking about a defense
was reached a couple of weeks
than 700 tanks per year, already
budget of $305 billion for next
ago. Certainly none of this
accomplished.
year.
obviously is written in stone.
So the notion that somehow
That's an enormous change. It
This is my proposal to all of you.
Mr. Gorbachev is moving in the
constitutes a fundamental shift
And we all know that Congress
direction of adopting a less hos-
in direction. And I think every-
will work its will on the budget
tile and a less threatening
body can understand why, with
authorization and appropriations
posture-reducing the defense
cuts of that magnitude, the deci-
bills. There is no monopoly on
budget, reducing commit-
sions to be made are not easy
wisdom or virtue in the execu-
ments-the fact is that we
ones. I've talked with my prede-
tive branch, and certainly I hope
already, in many cases, have
cessor, Mr. Frank Carlucci, and
you will be successful in improv-
matched him, if not exceeded
accused him of having cut all the
ing the package that I present to
him, in terms of decisions that
easy programs last time around.
you today. But it is, I think,
this committee and the Congress
The fact of the matter is I'm sure
basically a sound package.
have had to make in recent
his cuts were difficult, but these
I'd like to take just a minute, if
years.
are every bit as difficult.
I could, and talk about the phi-
It is very hard, in spite of what
losophy I tried to pursue as we
everybody may think, to come
undertook this review of pro-
Budget Cuts
up with $65 billion out of a five-
grams and decided which areas
The task at hand is budget
year defense program or $10 bil-
we wanted to cut. From a philo-
cuts. I'd like to remind my col-
lion in the next year. It's very,
sophical standpoint, I ap-
leagues that in January the
very painful; it's not painless.
proached the problem of coming
proposed Reagan budget called
Everybody needs to understand
up with 10 billion [dollars] for
for 2 percent real growth. Presi-
that. The Congress needs to
next year with the basic, funda-
dent (George) Bush recom-
understand that; the press needs
mental belief that it's better to
mended 0 percent real growth,
to understand that; the public
cancel lower-priority systems
(that we) keep pace only with
needs to understand that you do
outright and to reduce force
inflation. Many in Congress pre-
not buy more defense capability
structure than it is to keep up
ferred a reduction of 2 percent
with less money. There may be
the fiction that somehow we can
in real terms and ultimately a
ways down the road that we can
have just as effective forces with
compromise was reached,
save money and do our job as
less money-or to move back, if
depending upon which account
efficiently or more efficiently
you will, to the notion of the
you look at, of approximately 1
than we have in the past. I think
hollow forces of the late 1970s.
percent real decline in defense
there is. But the bottom line is,
From a priority standpoint, my
spending (in) fiscal year 1990
when you have reductions of the
first priority was people. I
over fiscal year 1989. What that
magnitude that we've seen over
thought personnel questions
means in terms of budget
the last few years with respect to
were foremost, and I'll come
authority for fiscal year 1990 is a
defense spending, the result is
back to that in a minute; sec-
reduction of $10 billion. If you
significantly less military capa-
ondly, 1 felt it was important,
look at it over the course of the
bility than had originally been
and this was worked out in con-
five-year defense program, it is
anticipated.
junction with the president and
in excess of $64 billion.
My former colleagues have
his key advisers, that we main-
?
AUG 11 '89 14:33
FROM
2026951149
PAGE. 004
tain our forward strategy, our
"I don't believe it's the time for us
forward-deployed strategy-that
when we've entered into
unilaterally to reduce our commitments or
negotiations with the Soviets is
our capabilities. Such reductions should
not an appropriate time for us to
make unilateral reductions in
only be taken on a careful step-by-step
Europe; third, we have as a pri-
ority maintaining the readiness
basis in conjunction with our allies and as a
of those forward-deployed
result of reduced Soviet capabilities."
forces; fourth, the question of
strategic modernization, which
you've all heard so much about;
while serving in the military.
1 also think that it's extremely
and fifth was the notion that we
That means questions like flying
important, from the standpoint
ought to procure what we do
hours and operating times and
of the alliance, having spent
procure at efficient rates; and let
Abrams tanks are people ques-
yesterday negotiating, with Sec-
me talk about each one of those
tions, not just readiness ques-
retary Baker, with Minister
five items, if I can, for just a
tions. They affect the ability of
Stoltenberg and Minister Gen-
moment.
individuals to serve and feel like
scher from the Federal Republic
they're contributing to a cause
of Germany and being in the
Personnel
and that they do their jobs well.
middle of the debate over mod-
From a personnel standpoint, I
So readiness was oftentimes
ernization of our short-range
steered clear of all proposals
looked at in those terms.
nuclear forces in Europe, now
that would have had a negative
There's a big difference
more than ever the alliance
impact on our ability to recruit
between what a Category I sol-
requires strong leadership. The
and retain topflight people. I am
dier can do and a Category IV
United States cannot exert that
tremendously impressed-based
soldier can do in terms of com-
strong leadership or provide that
on prior exposure to the military
bat capability. And we're faced
kind of guidance if the first act
before I took the job, as well as
with a shrinking pool of 18-year-
of its administration, under
conversations with career civilian
olds, and we've got a full-
budget pressure from the Con-
and military personnel since-..
employment economy. So 1
gress, is to significantly reduce
(with) the quality of today's
think it's extremely important
our presence in Europe.
armed forces. It might in fact be
that during the course of our
I would hope that eventually it
a cliche to say it, but it's abso-
deliberations and as Congress
will indeed be possible to take
lutely true, that we've never had
wrestles with the budget we not
down some of those forces that
people of as high a caliber,
put ourselves in a situation
are currently stationed over
capability, as we do consistently
where we take steps that would
there and to restructure our mili-
across all the forces today.
in any way make it more difficult
tary forces accordingly, but I
I think it's essential when we
than it already is to retain the
don't believe the summer of
talk about our military posture in
caliber of people we have in the
1989 is the time to do it. I do
the years ahead that we do
force today.
think we have to proceed very
nothing to make it more difficult
cautiously and only after exten-
to recruit those kinds of people
Forward Strategy
sive consultation with our allies.
or to retain them in the force.
In terms of forward strategy,
So pay raises are in the budget,
as I mentioned before, I really
Strategic Modernization
they're absolutely essential, they
think it's essential-with respect
In terms of strategic modern-
shouldn't be trimmed-if I
to Europe especially, but also
ization, let me take just a few
could, I'd raise them. From the
(to) our other forward-deployed
minutes and explain what we
standpoint of incentive pay,
forces-that we not make uni-
propose with respect to our
we've supported that, quality-of-
lateral cuts in that posture under
overall strategic posture. The Tri-
life issues and so forth, all of
the guise of budget reductions.
dent program will continue
those kinds of propositions
And there's one exception to
unchanged. The Navy proposed
we've tried to maintain and not
that that I'll talk about in a min-
that we reject-that we take
effect a reduction in those areas.
ute when I get into the force
down-two Tridents from the
With respect to readiness,
structure changes. But the fact
planned construction program. I
oftentimes I think we tend to
of the matter is
from
the
rejected that proposition. No
talk about it as a separate propo-
standpoint of our posture vis-
change in the Trident program.
sition. I'm inclined to think that
a-vis the Soviets, we shouldn't
With respect to the B-2
it's a people issue that when
be bringing home forces in sig-
bomber, I have slipped it by a
you hire competent men and
nificant numbers until we've
year. That's a reflection of reality
women to practice a profession,
arrived at some kind of an
in part; it's an enormously com-
that they in fact want to have the
accord with the Soviets in terms
plex new technology: it's an
opportunity to exercise the skills
of conventional forces in
enormously expensive technol-
and talents that they derive
Europe.
ogy. I find, as I looked at the
3
AUG 11 '89 14:34
FROM 2026951149
PAGE 005
"I steered clear of all proposals that would
the vulnerability of those land-
based systems; this proposal
have had a negative impact on our ability to
would do it.
recruit and retain top-flight people. I am
If we deploy both systems in
that mode, with strategic warn-
tremendously impressed
with the quality
ing we'd have 1,000 survivable
warheads; with tactical warning,
of today's armed forces."
we'd have at least 500 survivable
warheads. And 1 think there's a
program, that there are a lot of
what we're going to do. That's
strong argument to be made for
the decision. The basic problem
that posture, based on the
unresolved questions there
we have is one of budget and fit-
notion that this is the best way
about how ultimately we are
ting both programs in a tight
to proceed from the standpoint
going to finance it and what it
of the START talks. It-does, in
ultimately will cost. So, I have
fiscal situation. The amount of
asked for a review by the
money available for, in fiscal
fact, parallel what the Soviets are
Defense Acquisition Board of the
year 1990, for the Small ICBM, is
deploying with the SS-25 and
the SS-24 and
entire B-2 program. I plan to get
only approximately $100 million,
the strongest
in it in great depth myself, to be
and that's what the budget will
posture we could be in in
Geneva would be to have similar
able to come back to you down
show by way of authorization.
the road and make recommen-
We do have some money,
systems of our own.
dations about how we can best
another $100 million roughly,
With respect to the Strategic
proceed to acquire that capa-
that we can reprogram in 1989
Defense Initiative, SDI, we've
bility. But I would be less than
into the Small ICBM account,
made some changes there as
forthright with you today if I
part of the funds that were left
well. In part, this is a reflection
didn't highlight for you the fact
over after the ICBM compromise
of the reality of the technical
that we've got problems with the
of last year.
complexity of the programs
B-2, and a lot of work is re-
The numbers then, would
we're trying to deal with. Presi-
quired before we're going to be
wrap up on the Small ICBM from
dent (Ronald) Reagan had
in a position to be able to say
$100 million spent in 1990, $200
proposed a level of funding for
how much that's going to cost or
[million] in 1992, $250 [million],
fiscal year 1990 at $5.6 billion;
when it will be available.
$300 [million], $350 [million] over
our proposal is to fund SDI in
With respect to land-based
the five-year defense budget.
fiscal year 1990 at $4.6 billion,
ICBM forces, the proposal-
We may want to change that.
one billion (dollars) below the
ordinarily I don't make it a habit
One of the problems with that
Reagan number.
to talk about what I recom-
particular set of numbers is that
The package over the five-year
mended to the president, but
it's not the most efficient spend-
program moves from $40 billion
since it appeared in the Wash-
ing profile on the program. It is
under the Reagan proposal to
ington Post the morning after I
budget driven, especially in the
$33 billion under the Bush pro-
made the recommendation, I
early years We want to make
posai. This will give us a robust
don't feel quite as constrained as
some changes-may want to
program to continue to pursue
I might otherwise-I did recom-
make some changes-in that
both ground-based and space-
mend to the president that the
profile to get greater economy
based interceptors. It will buy us
proper course of action was to
and more efficiency. But the
the capability to look aggres-
take the 50 Peacekeeper missiles
basic theory and concept is that
sively at the so-called "Brilliant
currently deployed in silos and
we'll first build and deploy rail-
Pebbles" concept, which a num-
put them on railroads, go to the
garrisons, we'll keep Small ICBM
ber of you are familiar with and
rail-garrison scheme. I made that
alive, we'll come in behind the
have been briefed on. If we can
recommendation because it was
rail-garrison procurement with
make Brilliant Pebbles work, that
the low-cost option, it was the
the Small ICBM and end up, in
would add significantly to our
cheapest way to get mobility
fact, ultimately deploying both
capacity to reduce the cost of
built into our land-based ICBM
systems.
the total space-based part of the
force, and I am in the process of
1 think the arguments for that
program.
trying to squeeze the budget.
approach are as follows: Obvi-
If Brilliant Pebbles does not
And I also made the point that
ously, more than anything else,
work out-that is to say, if, after
it's the earliest initial operational
we acquire a significant element
aggressive testing and develop-
capability for a mobile missile.
of mobility in our land-based
ment of the concept over the
We can have that system on the
ICBM forces. This will end, if it's
next year or two, Brilliant Peb-
rail, some of those missiles actu-
agreed to by the Congress, a 10-
bles doesn't work out-one of
ally deployed, ready to go by
year impasse over how to deal
the byproducts of the funding
1992. And that was the package
with the so-called "window of
levels that I'm recommending to
that I recommended.
vulnerability." We've spent 10
you is that the ultimate deploy-
The president decided that he
years in that debate since I came
ment date on the current SBI-
also wanted to.do the Small
to Congress, trying to figure out
space-based interceptor-con-
ICBM. Now, in effect, that's
how we were going to deal with
cept would be slipped by about
4
AUG
11
'89
14:35
FROM 2026951149
PAGE 006
two years. So there is a cost to
"In terms of forward strategy
I
be paid for that reduction in
really
overall spending on SDI.
think it's essential-with respect to Europe
1, as I think many of you
know, have been a strong advo-
especially, but also our other forward-
cate of SDI. I would also argue-
and I won't get into the debate
deployed forces-that we not make
here today unless someone
unilateral cuts in that posture under the
wants to during the Q&A-that
SDI is very important because of
guise of budget reductions.
the extent to which we've got
resources dedicated to some
fundamental research and
comment, for example, that the
The original plan was to have all
development questions. Some of
Navy took a heavier hit than any-
of those personnel assigned new
the technology that is coming
body else. I guess 1 would argue
missions in Europe.
out of that with other applica-
that going from 33.3 percent of
I, in effect, told the Amy that
tions besides SDI itself is, I
the budget to 33.1 percent of the
they had to take down their end
think, fascinating, and I think it
budget isn't unduly oppressive
strength by 4,000 slots. I did not
would be a grave mistake for us
on anyone.
want it all to come out of Europe
to shortchange SDI, not only
I did not take the approach in
or any other single spot. I
because the president believes
cutting the budget of making
wanted part of it to come out of
very deeply that we need to go
certain that every service ponied
the continental United States.
forward with strategic defense,
up exactly the same percentage.
The result was a recommenda-
but also because of the results
1 didn't think that made a lot of
tion from them, which I have
we're getting from that ongoing
sense. And while the marks orig-
approved, that we take about
effort.
inally went back down to the
half of it out of personnel who
services before I arrived on the
would have otherwise been reas-
scene for pro rata reductions, I
signed from the Pershing II
Efficient Procurement
took the approach that I wasn't
mission in Europe to other
As a general proposition, 1
going to worry about how those
assignments-that's a total of
rejected proposals, some of
numbers came out until I had
about 4,000-and that simul-
which I mentioned before, to
looked at each of the programs
taneously we deactivate one
stretch out procurement if it sig-
that were offered for revision,
mechanized brigade, 4th Infantry
nificantly increased cost. For
and these numbers are what
Division, here in the continental
example, the AH-64 helicopter-
came out of that. I wouldn't
United States. The other num-
Apache helicopter-the Army
want you to think that I took the
bers you see on there reflect
came in with a proposal to slip
approach that we were going to
some changes in the Army attack
the procurement on it, to reduce
just hit one service or that we
helicopter units, which I'll talk
the buy, that would have had
had to do it on a pro rata
about in a minute
the effect in that one instance of
basis
With respect to the Navy, one
raising the cost of each of those
This next chart talks about per-
of the toughest decisions I had
helicopters from $12 million per
sonnel basically. It gives you a
to
make had to do with the
copy to $19 million per copy.
rundown on the total number of
size of our carrier fleet. Now,
As a general proposition, I try
people we'll have on board at
we're currently at 14 aircraft car-
to avoid those kinds of stretch-
the end of the year. There are
outs. Now this is not a hard-and-
riers. We're scheduled to go to
some changes in force structure,
fast
rule
15. Fifteen is a goal that many of
obviously, old rules
as I mentioned previously, that
us liked and supported in the
are meant to have exceptions.
I'll come back to in a minute in
past. I voted for all of those
But in terms again of guidance
greater detail. This talks specifi-
increments
when I served as
as we put the budget together, I
cally about force structure
a member of Congress as well.
tried to avoid interfering with, or
changes, and I'd like to spend a
But in my judgment, we can do
interrupting, ongoing production
couple of minutes on this chart,
the job we have to do with those
lines of the existing systems.
if we might.
14 carriers that we currently
So where, in effect, then did
When you look at topline
have. So, in effect, what I have
we cut?
Primarily what got hit
under the Army-basically what
instructed is that we will not
was procurement-5.4 billion
I've recommended and what I've
have the already planned
[dollars] out of the 10 billion
directed that the service do-the
increase from 14 to 15 carrier
[dollars]-and also, force struc-
Army specifically-was to save
groups. We'll do that by taking
ture, which doesn't show up
the approximately 8,000 slots
the Coral Sea out early, and
here in exactly those terms.
that had been committed to the
eventually the Midway will be
Most of the personnel changes
INF forces in Europe. We've
retired early as well, as we go
do relate to force structure
eliminated the Pershing lls as a
through, but we'll maintain the
There, in effect, has been very
result of the INF accord. That
force structure with respect to
little change if you look at what's
frees up approximately 8,000
aircraft carriers at 14 instead of
transpired. I've seen some press
slots-some 7,900, to be exact.
15.
5
AUG
11
'89
14:35
FROM 2026951149
PAGE 007
did not take the approach in cutting the
it's probably a good aircraft. 1
could not justify spending the
budget of making certain that every service
amount of money that was pro-
posed to be spent when we
ponied up exactly the same percentage. I
were just getting ready to move
didn't think that made a lot of sense.
into procurement on the V-22 to
perform a very narrow mission
that I think can be performed in
another fashion, specifically by
We are accelerating the retire-
somewhere, and rather than
using helicopters instead of the
ment of DDG-2s and 37-class
stretch out all the programs and
V-22.
destroyers, some of our least
run everything at an inefficient
I know the V-22 has a lot of
capable vessels. They were
rate, I opted for knocking spe-
commercial appeal. Maybe it's
scheduled to come out of the
cific programs out of the budget.
possible to find some way to
force anyway; we're going to
On the AH-64 helicopter, we
keep that effort on line and
accelerate that retirement. We're
will end up with a total in that
going. But the fact is it costs a
going to deactivate 73 of the P-
area of 807 aircraft, which we
couple of billion dollars a year in
3A and P-3B ASW aircraft and
think is sufficient to equip 40
terms of procurement, and to
make some other changes in the
battalions of 15 helicopters each.
perform that specific, fairly nar-
program there. Specifically, with
The program would be termi-
row mission in moving Marines
respect to the P-3s, we'll end up
nated after the fiscal year 1991
from ship to shore, it seemed to
with 24 active and nine Reserve
deliveries.
me that this was a capability
P-3C squadrons, and the
The AHIP (Army Helicopter
that, if we had to give some-
Reserves will also operate 10
Improvement Program) helicop-
place, this was one we could do
squadrons of the P-3B aircraft.
ter is also a nice piece of
without.
You'll notice on there, also,
equipment-we'll have about 207
With respect to the F-14D,
the transfer of the frigates.
of them in the inventory once all
again, a first-class aircraft
I've
We're going to move 10 frigates
the deliveries currently in the
got no problems at all with the
the first year, a total of 24 frig-
works are completed
capability that it has provided for
ates ultimately, to the Reserves
Basically what the AHIP is-1
us over the years. In effect, what
from the active force. These are
think many of you are familiar
we're proposing is that we termi-
the 1052s.
with it-it's a modification of the
nate new production on the F-
With respect to the Air Force,
OH-58D. The problem I have is
14D. That's scheduled in 1990-
a relatively minor change-we
that we're producing the AH-64
the termination is-but we
still have a WC-130 hurricane
helicopter for the Army, we're
would retain the remanufacture
unit. That's nice to have, but the
producing the AHIP helicopter
program. Now we've got two
fact is that with satellites and
for the Army, and we're trying to
production lines there, one to
NOAA (the National Oceanic
get started on the LHX new light
build new F-14Ds, the other to
and Atmospheric Administra-
attack helicopter for the Army.
remanufacture As and the older
tion), we cover hurricanes
And it didn't all fit into the
aircraft into Ds, with new
perfectly adequately; and that
pot, so the result is, we termi-
engines and so forth. We'll keep
struck me as a unit that could, in
nate the 64 after two more years,
the remanufacturing process
fact, be deactivated and saved.
cancel the AHIP at 1990 and put
going. We're operating the new
And we also restructure the TR-1
a major effort in bringing the
line at the rate of 12 per year-
program, details of which are
LHX on line as soon as possible.
one a month. Each one of those
classified.
In addition to that, I canceled
aircraft is costing well over $50
the M-88 recovery vehicle.
million apiece. By keeping the
Program Cuts
Frankly, it had never served its
remanufacturing operation
Now we did-1 did-make
purpose in terms of being able
going, we'll ramp up over the
decisions to terminate pro-
to perform the mission assigned
course of the FYDB to the point
grams My decisions in these
to it, and I couldn't find very
where we will be remanufactur-
cases-and I'll run through them
many people in the department
ing 60 aircraft a year. That costs
briefly with you--are not based
who were advocates of the M-88
about half of what a new one
on the proposition necessarily
recovery vehicle for tanks.
does. I think it's a way to main-
that these are bad programs,
The V-22 aircraft for the
tain the force structure and, at
that there's anything fundamen-
Marine Corps. I recognize this is
the same time, save some bucks.
tally wrong with the contractor
an important program, and I
The Phoenix missile, of
or that there wasn't wisdom in
have heard a lot, especially from
course, is associated with the F-
buying these originally. Some of
all my friends in the Marine
14D. On the SSN-688 submarine,
them are already established
Corps, and I find now I know for
the Navy, when they came in
programs. We've already
certain that nobody ever leaves
with their response to the need
acquired a number of items.
the Marine Corps, because I've
to cut, recommended that we
Others are new and not yet on
heard from a lot of civilians
take out one of the SSN-21s,
the books. But I came back to
about the V-22. I think the V-22
one of the new attack sub-
the proposition that I had to cut
is an interesting concept. 1 think
marines scheduled for
6
AUG
11
'89
14:36
FROM 2026951149
PAGE 008
procurement in the early 1990s. I
"I came back to the proposition that I had
rejected that offer on the
grounds that that was supposed
to cut somewhere, and rather than stretch
to be an extremely capable sub-
marine, far more capable than
out all the programs and run everything at
the 688. And, instead of taking
an inefficient rate, I opted for knocking
out one of the 21s, put that back
in the budget, and we will sim-
specific programs out of the budget."
ply stop our buy of 688s. We
only had two more to go any-
way, now we're only going to
terms made it necessary for us to
close by saying that I think, as I
buy one additional 688.
defer procurement.
mentioned at the outset, these
With respect to the Air Force,
I put this up because it shows
are not easy decisions. If anyone
on the F-15E, obviously a great
some of the proposals that I
thinks it's pleasant, with my rec-
aircraft, one much in demand by
rejected that came from the
ord of unqualified support for
the CinCs (commanders in
services and areas generally that
the Defense Department and the
chief). In effect, what this pro-
I felt it was important for us not
services and the various systems
posal does is to terminate the
to accept the recommendations
that we've voted for over the
program after the procurement
that were made. Again, it's rela-
years, it's tough. I was asked on
of 200 F-15E aircraft. This will
tively self-explanatory. On the
a television show recently, how
leave us, obviously, with the
C-17 aircraft, if you think in
was it possible for me, as the
emphasis on developing the A-
terms of the long-term strategic
ultimate Republican hawk, to sit
12 aircraft later on, and the ATF
developments that we may find
there and have to preside over a
(Advanced Tactical Fighter) com-
ourselves in (in) the next decade
reduction in the defense budget.
ing down the road. But while the
with a significantly reduced pres-
Answer: It's not easy, very
F-15E is extremely capable, 200
ence in Europe, the C-17
tough. But we do have to make
of them seem sufficient from my
becomes even more important
some of these calls. I hope we'll
standpoint. It will give us two
in terms of our capacity to rein-
do it in an intelligent fashion. I
full active wings plus some
force and keep our commit-
know the committee will have
spares. And, again, that was a
ments there.
strong ideas about exactly how it
place where we could stop a
If you look at our capacity to
ought to be done and what that
current existing production line
operate elsewhere in the world,
particular mix of cuts ought to
and save some money. The
on that basis, I rejected pro-
look like and how those funds
LANTIRN pod, of course, is asso-
posals to stretch out the C-17 as
ought to be allocated. And I
ciated with the F-15.
well. There were proposals to
look forward to having the
Now we did, in fact, resched-
stretch out the buy on the M-1
opportunity to work with all of
ule some programs, as I
tank. Well, we're already down,
you to structure the wisest and
mentioned earlier. I tried to do
getting ready to operate with
best possible budget we can for
it in a way that would not harm
only one factory, and to run that
our military services, in light of
efficient production rates or
one at an efficient rate, pro-
the very important challenges
interfere with multiyear pro-
posed cuts in the Abrams buy
that we face as a nation and in
grams All of these have had
didn't strike me as making any
light of the fact of life of a con-
their buys modified. I've talked
sense at all from an economic
strained budget.
already about the B-2 bomber,
standpoint; the same with
Thank you very much, Mr.
SDI and some of the other air-
respect to the Bradley fighting
Chairman.
craft are up there. But, again, as
vehicle. That'll give you a gen-
a general proposition, we tried
eral sense of some of the
to maintain existing efficient
reductions that we did not
Published for internal information use by the
rates of production, except in
accept.
American Forces Information Service, a field
cases where technology prob-
activity of the Office of the Assistant Secretary
of Defense (Public Affairs). Washington, D.C.
lems and problems of
Conclusion
This material is in the public domain and may
developing complex new sys-
Mr. Chairman, finally, let me
be reprinted without permission.
AUG 11 '89 14:37 FROM 2026951149
PAGE. 009
DEPART
FENSE
OFFICE OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
(PUBLIC AFFAIRS)
UNITED STATES of ANERICA
WASHINGTON, D.C 20301
PLEASE NOTE DATE
HOLD FOR RELEASE UNTIL 10 A.M. (EDT)
No. 174-89
OR SECDEF HASC TESTIMONY ON
697-3189 (Copies)
APRIL 25, 1989
695-0192 (Info)
AMENDED FY 1990/FY 1991 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BUDGET
Introduction
Today, the Secretary of Defense Richard B. Cheney announced
the details of the Defense Department's amended budget request
which is consistent with the recent budget agreement.
The budget authority level requested for FY 1990 has been
revised to $295.6 billion which represents a reduction of $10
billion from the original request in January. Defense outlays
for FY 1990 are now estimated at $289.8 billion, a reduction of
$4 billion from the January request. The budget authority
request for FY 1991 is now $311.0 billion or $9.9 billion below
the January request and outlays are estimated at $297.9 billion
or $6.9 billion below the estimate in January. This represents
a total reduction in budget authority of about $65 billion to
the current five year budget plan from FY 1990 through FY 1994.
This is in addition to the $300 billion reduction that had
already been made to the FY 1988-FY 1994 program that was
planned in January 1987.
Adjustments to January Budget
On January 9, the Department of Defense presented a biennial
budget request to the Congress proposing authorization and
appropriation of resources for FY 1990 and FY 1991 that provided
for 2 percent real growth. President Bush proposed a 1 year
freeze in real growth for Defense with the understanding that
this reduced spending level would be part of a comprehensive
plan to meet the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings deficit target and
incorporate reforms which bring stability to the budget process.
He proposed real increases of 1 percent in FY 1991 and FY 1992
and 2 percent in FY 1993 to maintain a steady course in National
Defense funding.
On April 14, in response to further pressure to reduce the
deficit, the President and the Congress reached a bipartisan
agreement on a framework for the FY 1990 budget that included an
additional_ reduction of $3.7 billion in the Defense request.
These reduced levels represent the fifth consecutive year of
real decline in Defense funding and result in reduced
capabilities to sustain a strong military Defense posture. The
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AUG 11 '89 14:38 FROM 2026951149
PAGE 010
2
Department was forced to consider cuts in all areas of the
budget. These cuts include force structure and manpower
reductions, program terminations, reschedules and deferrals.
Reductions of such magnitude require difficult decisions.
Force Structure
Army active strength was reduced from the January budget
request by over 7,900 in FY 1990 and 8,300 in FY 1991 based
primarily on the deactivation of an active Army mechanized
brigade, cancellation of the planned activation of additional
artillery units in Europe, and the restructure of the Army's
Attack Helicopter battalions in FY 1990/FY 1991.
Navy active strength was reduced by 5,600 in FY 1990 and
6,200 in FY 1991 based on the decision to transfer 10 additional
frigates to the Navy Reserve, to accelerate the retirement of
the aircraft carrier CORAL SEA and seven destroyers, and to
deactivate 73 P-3 aircraft. The Navy will continue to support
14 deployable carriers as the USS CORAL SEA will be retired when
the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN enters the fleet in FY 1990. These
program adjustments result in an overall naval force of 563
deployable battle force ships by the end of FY 1991.
Air Force active strength was reduced by 3,200 in FY 1990 to
implement an acceleration of strength reductions based on
already approved force structure changes. Additionally, the
decrease reflects the deactivation of WC-130 aircraft in FY 1990
and restructuring of the TR-1 program.
Reserve strength overall is relatively unchanged; however,
Navy Reserve strength will increase by 1,200 by FY 1991 to man
the 10 frigates transferred from the active force.
The net change in military personnel in FY 1990 resulting
from these force structure changes is a reduction of 16,800
personnel from levels supported in the original FY 1990/FY 1991
biennial budget.
Manpower
The well-being of our uniformed personnel continues to be
the highest priority. Therefore, care was taken to protect
military personnel programs from reductions that would endanger
adequate and fair compensation and other incentives to encourage
service in the armed forces. The adjustments in our military
personnel accounts were associated primarily with reductions in
mission or force structure and are expected to cause no
degradation in personnel readiness.
The amended budget retains the 3.6 percent pay raise for
military personnel as an attempt to preserve the gains made in
recruiting and retention by preventing the value of military pay
from being eroded by inflation. The revised active duty
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AUG 11 '89 14:38 FROM 2026951149
PAGE. 011
3
strength levels are 2,121,500 in FY 1990 and 2,120,100 in
FY 1991. The revised total manpower levels for our reserve
forces are 1,178,200 in FY 1990 and 1,182,200 in FY 1991.
Civilian personnel end strength levels have been reduced by
approximately one thousand in each year from the levels
originally estimated in the FY 1990/FY 1991 budget to 1,104
thousand in FY 1990 and 1,100 thousand in FY 1991.
We anticipate that further personnel reductions will be made
to implement recommendations resulting from the Defense
Management Review now in progress. Reductions of $286 million
in FY 1990 and $434 million in FY 1991 are included for this
purpose.
Readiness
The Secretary views readiness as an interrelated issue with
personnel. Adjustments made to the operation and maintenance
accounts reflect the Department's priority to protect the
readiness of our forces. These adjustments were made primarily
in response to changes in force structure and equipment
modernization, including cancellations and deferrals. However,
most planned improvements in logistical support programs were
deferred and further growth in the backlog of depot and real
property maintenance will occur. The level of base operating
support services will likewise decrease. Army, Navy, and Air
Force flying hours per month are sustained at the FY 1989
congressionally enacted levels, as are Navy steaming days per
quarter for the deployed and nondeployed fleets. The budget
supports a ground OPTEMPO of 800 tank miles annually for the
Army. The budget continues to provide adequate funding for
medical programs.
Because of improvements in the foreign currency exchange
rate since submission of the FY 1990/FY 1991 Biennial Budget,
the cost of overseas station allowances is substantially
reduced. Anticipating & continuation of current exchange rates
in FY 1990 and FY 1991 allows a reduction of $533 million in
FY 1990 and $536 million in FY 1991 in the military personnel
and operations accounts.
Acquisition
At the President's direction, a major Defense Strategy
Review is underway. The review is incomplete but the results
should be of assistance in making major national security
decisions. In the interia and in keeping with the long standing
goal to improve the capability and survivability of the ICBM leg
of the TRIAD, the President decided to add mobility to a portion
of our land based missiles. The decision includes redeployment
of 50 Peacekeeper missiles from silos to trains, garrisoned at
various Air Force installations. The amended budget also
includes $100 million in FY 1990 and $200 million in FY 1991 for
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AUG 11 '89 14:39
FROM 2026951149
PAGE 012
4
the small intercontinental ballistic missile program, primarily
for missile certification.
In considering program stretchouts, the Secretary opted to
stay with established weapons programs where production lines
are operating efficiently rather than pursue the development of
unproven technology.
Continued modernization of our forces was protected by
rescheduling the production of some high priority programs,
cancelling lower priority programs or those that could not meet
cost or performance standards and deferring other programs.
Programs that were rescheduled are as follows:
11 UH-60 and 6 AH-64 helicopters were reduced in each year;
the B-2A aircraft was reduced in both FY 1990 and FY 1991 to
reduce concurrency with development;
234 Army Air Defense Anti-tank Systems (ADATS) were deferred
from FY 1990 and 406 from FY 1991;
124 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) were reduced in
FY 1990;
FY 1991 TACIT Rainbow Missile production was reduced to
reflect development slippage;
six F/A-18 aircraft were deferred in both FY 1990 and
FY 1991;
two Coastal minehunters were deleted in FY 1990 and 1 LHD-1
amphibious assault ship was added in FY 1991;
24 T-45TS aircraft were deferred in FY 1990 and 24 in
FY 1991 to provide time to correct deficiencies identified
during field testing;
18 SH-60F antisubmarine warfare helicopters were deferred
from FY 1990 to allow time for correction of deficiencies
discovered during operational testing; and
the National Aerospace Plane program.
Programs that were cancelled include:
the Army Helicopter Improvement Program (AHIP);
the Marine Corps V-22 program;
the Navy F-14D new production program, retaining only the
remanufacture program;
the Navy's Phoenix missile program after the FY 1990 buy;
the final SSN-688 submarine;
the M88A2 Improved Recovery Vehicle;
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AUG 11 '89 14:39
FROM 2026951149
PAGE 013
5
the F-15E aircraft and AH-64 helicopter programs after the
FY 1991 procurement;
the LANTIRN program.
The amended budget will continue production of several key
systems at or near the rates originally planned.
Programs that continue at originally planned rates include:
Bradley Fighting Vehicles;
M-1 Abrams Tank;
PATRIOT missiles;
AV-8B attack aircraft;
C-17 airlift aircraft;
F-16 fighter aircraft; and
TRIDENT submarine and missiles.
RDT&E
The amended budget continues the development and testing for
all elements of our strategic triad; mobile ICBM's, B-2 bomber,
and the TRIDENT submarine/missile system as well as avionics for
the B-1 bomber.
The Strategic Defense Initiative has been restructured and
continues the general framework of pursuing both space- and
ground-based defenses while providing the flexibility to adjust
the specific deployment schedule as evolving technology is
tested and proven. The restructured SDIO program continues
toward deployment of a system that will meet the requirements of
Phase I by focusing on evaluating the potential of the most
rapidly advancing technologies such as Brilliant Pebbles. The
January budget request for SDI was reduced by $1.0 billion in
FY 1990 and $1.3 billion in FY 1991. The revised funding levels
are $4.6 billion and $5.4 billion in FY 1990 and FY 1991,
respectively.
In the conventional warfare area, we are continuing the
development and testing of several anti-armor weapons, the ATA
and ATF combat aircraft, the C-17 airlifter, LHX helicopter, and
several integrated command, control and communications systems.
The technology R&D program remains strong and includes
thrusts in all of the militarily relevant sciences. We are
pursuing several projects with our NATO allies, leveraging our
investments in IR&D, and establishing a strong management group
to oversee avoidance of waste and duplication.
The budget proposes that NASA assume the funding and
management responsibilities for the National Aerospace Plane
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AUG 11 '89 14:40 FROM 2026951149
PAGE. 014
o
(NASP). DoD reduced the $300 million funding request for the
NASP by $200 million and proposed legislation to allow NASA to
obligate up to $100 million of FY 1990 defense funds for the
NASP. The President's National Space Council will review the
future funding and management of this program.
Military Construction & Family Housing
The amended Military Construction budget deferred or deleted
lower-priority projects, while most projects in direct support
of new weapon systems and force initiatives were retained.
Excluding foreign currency adjustments, virtually no reductions
were made to the operation portions of the Family Housing
accounts. The adjustments will result in a total FY 1990
military construction program with negative real growth of 18.0
percent. The FY 1991 program recoups some of this loss but, in
real terms, is still 6.4 percent less than the FY 1989 level.
Summary
The Secretary stressed the need to maintain a steady course,
both politically and fiscally, and to seize favorable
opportunities to improve relations with potential adversaries
but to remain ready in any event to secure national interests.
He further stressed the need for budget stability and to pursue
management initiatives that will help to redirect scarce defense
resources to the most urgent requirements and productive
activities. He also warned against a return to the deteriorated
state of Defense forces that existed in the 1970s.
The attached charts provide additional information on the
amended FY 1990/FY 1991 biennial budget estimates.
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PAGE. 015
FY 1990/FY 1991 DoD BUDGET
(Current $ Billions)
CUM
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
90-94
BUDGET AUTHORITY
January Budget
290.2
305.6
320.9
335.7
350.7
365.6
1,678.5
Delta
-
-10.0
-9.9
-13.7
-14.8
-15.8
-64.2
Amended Budget
290.2
295.6
311.0
322.0
335.9
349.8
1,614.3
OUTLAYS
January Budget
289.8
293.8
304.7
316.2
329.3
343.4
1,587.4
AUG 11 '89 14:41 FROM 2026951149
Delta
-
-4.0
-6.9
-9.4
-11.9
-13.9
-46.1
Amended Budget
289.8
289.8
297.9
306.8
317.4
329.5
1,541.3
PAGE. 016
FY 1990/FY 1991 AMENDED BUDGET
BUDGET AUTHORITY BY TITLE
(Current $ Billions)
FY 1990
FY 1991
January
Revised
January
Revised
Budget
Adjustment
Request
Budget
Adjustment
Request
Military Personnel
79.8
-0.7
79.2
82.1
-0.8
81.3
O&M
91.7
-1.5
90.2
95.5
-1.5
94.0
Procurement
84.1
-5.4
78.8
91.9
-4.7
87.1
RDT&E
41.0
-1.5
39.5
41.3
-1.8
39.5
Military Construction
5.3
-0.5
4.8
5.9
-0.3
5.6
AUG 11 '89 14:41 FROM 2026951149
Family Housing
3.3
*
3.2
3.7
-0.1
3.6
Other
0.4
-0.6
-0.2
0.6
-0.8
-0.2
TOTAL
305.6
-10.0
295.6
320.9
-9.9
311.0
* Less than $50 Million.
PAGE. 017
FY 1990/FY 1991 AMENDED BUDGET
BUDGET AUTHORITY BY MILITARY COMPONENT
(Current $ Billions)
FY 1990
FY 1991
January
Revised
January
Revised
Budget
Adjustment
Request
Budget
Adjustment
Request
ARMY
80.5
-1.7
78.8
84:1
-2.2
81.8
NAVY
101.7
-3.9
97.8
105.1
-1.9
103.1
AIR FORCE
100.5
-2.7
97.7
106.6
-3.6
103.0
DEFENSE AGENCIES
20.3
-1.3
19.0
22.3
-1.4
20.9
DEFENSE WIDE
2.6
-0.5
2.1
2.9
-0.8
2.1
AUG 11 '89 14:41 FROM 2026951149
TOTAL
305.6
-10.0
295.6
320.9
-9.9
311.0
PAGE. 018
DEPARTMENT of DEFENSE MANPOWER
(END STRENGTH IN THOUSANDS)
FY 1990
FY 1991
MILITARY ACTIVE DUTY
FY 1990 BIENNIAL REQUEST
2,138
2,135
ARMY
-8
-8
NAVY
-6
-6
MARINE CORPS
-
-
AIR FORCE
-3
$
-
TOTAL ACTIVE DUTY REDUCTIONS
-17
-14
FY 1990 AMENDED REQUEST
2,121
2,120
SELECTED RESERVES
FY 1990 BIENNIAL REQUEST
1,178
1,182
AUG 11 '89 14:42 FROM 2026951149
REDUCTIONS
-
-
FY 1990 AMENDED REQUEST
1,178
1,182
CIVILIANS
FY 1990 BIENNIAL REQUEST
1,104
1,101
REDUCTIONS
-1
-1
FY 1990 AMENDED REQUEST
1,104
1,100
FORCE STRUCTURE CHANGES
PAGE.
($ in Millions)
FY 1990 Changes
FY 1991 Changes
Dollars Manpower Dollars Manpower
ARMY
Deactivate 1 Active Mechanized Brigade/
Cancel Activation of Selected Units
-91.3
-7,929
-197.7
-7,929
Restructure Army Attack Helicopter Units
-2.1
-
-15.9
-375
NAVY
Retire the USS CORAL SEA
-53.3
-1,257
-106.6
-1,418
Accelerate Retirement of Destroyers
-74.3
-3,357
-108.6
-2,709
Deactivate 73 P-3A/B Aircraft
-67.7
-876
-77.5
-876
Transfer 10 Frigates
AUG 11 '89 14:42 FROM 2026951149
From the Active Forces
-29.7
-676
-70.6
-1,690
To the Reserves
+28.9 +696 +55.9 + 1,740
AIR FORCE
Deactivate WC-130 Hurricane
Reconnaissance Aircraft
-14.0
-439
-6.2
-
Restructure TR-1 Program
-4.8
-71
-3.5
-70
PROGRAM TERMINATIONS
(Current $ Millions)
PAGE.
FY 1990
FY 1991
FY 1992-1994
Quantity Dollars
Quantity
Dollars
Quantity
Dollars
ARMY
AH-64 Helicopter
(after 1991)
-6
-38
-6
+ 17
-144
-1,603
AHIP
-36
-276
-36
-304
-96
-996
M88 Recovery Vehicle
-
-
-78
-86
-137
-206
NAVY
V-22 Aircraft
-12
-1,267
-24
-1,540
-157
-5,758
F-14D Aircraft
-12
-365
-12
-469
-36
-1,532
PHOENIX Missile
-
-
-420
-327
-406
-281
SSN-688 Submarine
-1
-714
-
-
-
-
AUG 11 '89 14:42 FROM 2026951149
AIR FORCE
F-15 Aircraft
(after 1991)
-11
-
+552
-78
-3,620
-
LANTIRN Pod
8
-82
-
-31
-
-
FY 1990/FY 1991 PROGRAMS RESCHEDULED
PAGE. 021
(Current $ Millions)
FY 1990 Changes
FY 1991 Changes
Quantities Dollars
Quantities Dollars
ARMY
** ** TOTAL PAGE.021 ** **"TOTAL PAGE.021 **
ADATS Missile
-234
-149
-406
-114
ATACMS Missile
-124
-46
-
-
UH-60 Helicopter
-11
-32
-11
-32
NAVY
-
SH-60F Helicopter
-18
-205
-
T-45TS Aircraft
-24
-264
-24
-172
F/A-18 Aircraft
-6
-156
-6
-74
COASTAL MINEHUNTER
-2
-110
-
-
AIR FORCE
AUG 11 '89 14:43 FROM 2026951149
B-2 Bomber
*
-855
- -3,226
+
TACIT RAINBOW Missile
-
-
-30
National Aerospace
-
Plane 1/
-200
-390
-
DEFENSE AGENCIES
SDIO
-
-991
- -1,271
Quantities Classified.
1/ Legislation is proposed to provide $100 million to NASA in FY 1990.
(Smith/Blessey)
Draft Nine
September 6, 1989
LEGION
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: AMERICAN LEGION
BALTIMORE CONVENTION CENTER
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1989
9:45 A.M.
Justice Gierke [GER-kee] -- as a fellow Legionnaire, let me
salute the first Viet Nam veteran to be selected National
Commander. And all of you who represent our Nation's largest and
fastest-growing veterans organization -- more than 3 million
members strong.
As always, it is a great privilege to join you. And a deep
personal pleasure to renew old ties. And to greet new friends.
Today is September 7th -- and I'm determined not to repeat
the mistake I made exactly one year ago when I referred to this
date as Pearl Harbor Day. I can still remember the gasp from
this audience.
Not surprisingly, anniversaries were on my mind as I
traveled here from Washington. Events like this 71st national
convention of the American Legion, or the 200th birthday of the
Coast Guard. Or the very first anniversary of the Department of
Veterans Affairs -- led by its Secretary and our good friend, Ed
Derwinski. A Department intent on serving you -- as you have
served your country.
Well, as you can imagine, these birthdays, in turn, got me
to thinking about another anniversary --- the 175th this year of
2
the "Star-Spangled Banner. " And how your convention lies so near
its famous birthplace.
Tuesday, you did something that would have pleased Francis
Scott Key -- and for which I thank you. For by supporting a
Constitutional Amendment making it illegal to desecrate the
American flag, you joined the crusade to protect the unique
symbol of America's honor. Our flag is too sacred to be abused.
The flag -- like America -- represents many things. It
represents self-expression and opportunity. And democracy for
all.
Like America, too, Old Glory reflects the values -- moral
and intellectual, economic and military -- that have made, and
keep, us strong.
And like America, the flag symbolizes the gallantry of
veterans who love their country -- giving themselves, and often
their lives, to its protection. Storming the beaches of Okinawa.
Scaling the cliffs of Normandy. Taking shell-torn hills named
Hamburger and Arrowhead.
Fellow veterans, for seven decades the American Legion --
its "men and women" -- have helped write the Story of America and
the story of our flag. And today -- in peacetime as in wartime -
- you write their stories still.
For the flag, like America, is more than "sentiment." It
lives on the rugged island called Iwo Jima. It lifts the tiny
hand of the little girl I saw on a street corner in Gdansk,
waving the Stars and Stripes. For both encapsulate freedom. The
3
freedom to vote as we want, and pray when and where we choose.
The freedom to go about our daily lives without tyranny or fear.
Fifty years ago this month, our allies went to war to
protect this freedom. For as panzer tanks crossed the Polish
frontier, and bombers savaged Warsaw, liberty confronted the evil
of fascism which -- even now -- defines hell on earth.
In the end, that conflict took more than 50 million lives.
And underscored, as few things have, man's inhumanity to man.
Our challenge today is to prove man's humanity to man by
preserving liberty without war. And thus secure what Franklin
Roosevelt called the "Four Freedoms": Freedom of speech, of
religion, freedom from want and fear.
Today, I want to focus on one of those freedoms -- freedom
from fear. The fear of war abroad. The fear of drugs and crime
at home.
To win that freedom -- to build a better, safer life -- will
require the bravery, and sacrifice, that Americans have shown
before. And must again. Already we have done much. Now, we
must do more. And achieve real peace -- both domestic and
foreign -- the kind of peace which lasts.
First, our mission at home -- to free our country from the
fear of drugs and crime. When we ask what kind of society the
American people deserve, our answer is -- and must be -- a Nation
in which law-abiding citizens are safe and feel safe.
4
That is why two nights ago, I announced America's first
comprehensive national strategy to win the war on drugs and crime
which plague the United States.
First, our plan seeks to rid America of violent criminals
with an attack on four fronts. New laws -- to punish them. New
agents -- to arrest them. New prosecutors -- to convict them.
And new prisons -- to hold them.
Our crime proposals are based on these principles.
Criminals in this Nation must understand that if they commit a
crime, they will be caught. And if caught, they will be
prosecuted. And if convicted, they will do time. By taking
hoods off the streets, we can -- and will -- take back the
streets.
In short, we propose to change' the rules of the game
dramatically. Mandatory time for firearms offenses. No deals
when criminals use a gun. And for the most heinous crimes -- you
remember my promise. For anyone who kills a law enforcement
officer -- no legal penalty is too tough. We want Congress to
enact the steps needed to implement the death penalty.
Now, over the last few days there's been a lot of talk about
our strategy. Some, incredibly, say it's not tough enough --
this from the very people who oppose the death penalty. Well,
it's that kind of thinking that's lost too many battles already.
Let's not let these critics lose the war. So I ask you to
support our crime plan. And also the other parts of our national
strategy.
5
This strategy aims to stop drug use before it starts.
Through education and prevention -- from grade school to graduate
school. And, third, through treatment, to help addicts who want
to get clean. With special emphasis on expectant mothers.
Finally, we're going to work with other governments to help crack
international drug rings.
As veterans, you know how battles are often fought -- house-
by-house, block-by-block. Well, we'll win this battle the same
way. Winning kid-by-kid, neighborhood-by-neighborhood.
For years now, drugs have written a sad chapter in the
American story. This morning, I ask you to help write an ending
all of us can be proud of. Cops can't do it alone. Teachers
can't do it alone. The addict weary of abuse can't do it alone.
They need your help. And I know they'll get it -- just as you've
helped handicapped kids, donated blood, aided the National League
of Families, and spurred good government through programs like
Boys State and Girls State.
Today, for instance, Post Number 65 in Rosemont, Minnesota,
runs the program "Drug Talk." And in Russelville, Arkansas, I
especially like Post Number 20's giveaway of thousands of rulers.
Their message says it all. "You really measure up when you say
'No' to drugs."
You know -- as I do -- that we're in this together. So let
us fight on any front, and every front. Supply and demand.
Education and rehabilitation. Interdiction and enforcement. In
the cities, and the towns. Walter Lippmann once wrote of a
6
"Nation at the mercy of violence." America must never surrender
to the violence of drugs and crime -- the future of our children
depends on it.
This morning, I have talked about our mission to secure
freedom from fear at home. But we also have another mission -- a
global mission -- to free America from the fear of war.
Half-a-century ago, Ike, and Nimitz, and Jimmy Doolittle,
and millions of unsung heroes -- like many here today -- fought
to end a war. You fought at Guadalcanal and Monte Cassino. At
Bastogne and Bataan. You fought to rid the world of
totalitarianism and tyranny.
Our challenge may be less dramatic, but just as vital: To
secure freedom in a world at peace. Today, ours remains a global
stage, and America remains its leading player. And we must use
our strength to maintain peace and freedom. For this we know
from World War II: The best way to protect that freedom and
ensure real peace is for America to be militarily strong.
Thankfully, America today is strong. And our strength has
helped democracy's tide run in -- even as tyranny's tide runs
out. The new breeze of freedom, which I have spoken of before,
is blowing in Poland and Hungary, in countries East and West.
Yet with even hopeful change comes uncertainty. And with
uncertainty comes the need for vigilance. This is no time to
declare freedom's victory before the fact.
That is why we need a national defense that ensures a strong
and secure America. And why I'm pleased that the Senate largely
7
agrees. This week, our defense authorization bill moves to
House-Senate conference committee. There's just one problem:
The House version is unacceptable. It continues unneeded
programs costing nearly $20 billion from 1990-94. Holding our
defense budget hostage to projects that will strip money from
programs crucial to strategic modernization.
This modernization is vital -- vital because America must
base its procurement decisions on the future capacity -- the
actual weapons -- that any Soviet leader might have available.
Here, there are hopeful signs. For Mr. Gorbachev is taking
some steps to reduce the threat posed by the massive military
machine that is the Soviet Armed Forces. We applaud those moves.
And we hope there will be more -- many more.
But at the same time, we cannot cause the Soviet Union to
reduce its forces by unilaterally disarming ourselves. Progress
has been made precisely because we have been strong. So far, in
terms of cutting strategic weapon systems, Soviet words have not
been matched by deeds. Our own strategic modernization program
must deal with deeds. And encourage the Soviet Union to work
with us in reducing the threat of nuclear war.
That is why we have begun a vital program to modernize our
strategic traid. And by that I mean: Submarines, missiles, and
the bombers.
We have called for two Trident submarines to be funded in
1990 and 1991. Today, I renew that call. And reaffirm my
commitment to the second part of our triad: strategic land-based
8
missiles. Already, the Soviet Union is deploying two mobile
systems. We have none. We need to move forward with our mobile
programs. Not only to modernize our forces into the 21st
Century. But to gain leverage for arms control.
What we're talking about is simple logic. Or as Sam Rayburn
said, "If a man has common sense, he has all the sense there is."
Accordingly, our ICBM program calls for a new single-warhead
small ICBM missile and our Peacekeeper multi-warhead ICBM. The
small ICBM represents the future of our ICBM force -- highly
mobile with a single warhead -- the very essence of stability and
deterrence. But it won't be ready until 1997. So I have asked
Congress for funds to make our existing Peacekeepers mobile by
utilizing our rail system in an emergency -- providing
survivability, at low cost, for this very effective and proven
system.
The third part of our deterrent triad -- the B-2 or Stealth
Bomber -- employs absolutely revolutionary technology to make
certain that it can penetrate defenses and assure the credibility
of our deterrence.
Finally, there's the last part of our defense equation --
the Strategic Defense Initiative. SDI will begin the movement
from offensive to defensive deterrence. And deter not merely
existing threats but also Nations on the verge of possessing
nuclear and chemical missiles. If that's not common sense, I
don't like fishing.
9
Fellow veterans, real peace is not an accident. So, let us
modernize our strategic forces. And, thus, encourage arms
control. We need the Trident and the small ICBM. We need the
Peacekeeper, B-2, and SDI. And I have proposed to the Congress
an affordable budget to pay for them. It is a solid, well-
thought-out and essential program. The Congress should support
it and not try to substitute pet projects in place of a closely
integrated strategic program. For this, above all, we know:
When it comes to national defense, finishing second means
finishing last.
We can have an America free from war, free from drugs and
crime. An America free from fear. What a wonderful legacy --
for this and generations of children to come.
Some might call it only a dream. I say: America is the
land of dreams -- dreams that come true. God bless you all, and
God bless the United States of America.
#
#
#
#
Trudie Eklund
(Smith/Blessey)
Draft Seven
August 23, 1989
LEGION
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: AMERICAN LEGION
WASHINGTON, D.C. BALTIMORE, MD
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1989
10:00 AM
Justice Gierke [GER-kee] -- and I let me salute the first Viet
John
Nam veteran to be selected National Commander. And all of you
Hansons
who represent our Nation's largest and fastest-growing veterans
PR.Am
organization -- now 2.8 million strong more than 3 million strong.
841 2700
As always, it is a great privilege to join you. And a deep
personal pleasure to renew old ties. And to greet new friends.
Today is September 7th -- and I'm determined not to repeat
the mistake I made last year when I referred to this date as
Pearl Harbor Day. Now that I've dispensed with that
announcement, I want to wish all of you a happy Thanksgiving.
Not surprisingly, anniversaries were on my mind as I
And then Fort McHenry. And it got me to thinking how 1989 marks
Aprec Nove
Griepenker
traveled here from Washington Past the Pentagon. The Congress
837-1793
the 175th anniversary of the "Star-Bangled Banner. " And how your
301/837 179
convention lies so near its famous birthplace.
Tuesday you did something that would have pleased Francis
aug 31
opitol news conf at
Scott Key -- and for which I thank you. For by supporting a
Constitutional Amendment making it illegal to desecrate the
Am-Leg. Am.Leg.PR
John Hanson Hanson
SUES
American flag, you joined the crusade to protect the symbol of
America's honor. What our flag embodies is too sacred to be
abused.
695
697- 9105 3435
2
Woodrow Wilson once called the flag "the embodiment, not of
sentiment, but of history. " And then he went on to say, "It
e-mail
represents the experiences made by men and women, the experiences
of those who do and live under that flag." "
What Wilson meant, of course, was that the flag -- like
America -- represents many things. It represents self-expression
and opportunity. And democracy for all.
Like America, too, Old Glory reflects the values -- moral
and intellectual, economic and military -- that have made, and
keep, us strong.
And like America, the flag symbolizes the gallantry of
Encyclopedia
veterans who love their country -- giving of themselves, and
Mil.
often of their lives. Storming the beaches of Anzio. Scaling
in
the cliffs of Normandy. Taking shell-torn hills named Hamburger
of Mil Histor
Encycloped:
and Arrowhead.
1919
Fellow veterans, for 71 years the "experiences" of the
Am Leg PR
John Namso
AL
American Legion -- its "men and women" -- have helped write the
8612700
Story of America -- and the story of our flag. And today -- in
peacetime, as in wartime -- you write their stories still.
Ino Jima
For the flag, like America, is more than "sentiment. "
It
volcano
Bill
Xisi
lives. On a rugged hill at Iwo Jima. It lifts. The tiny hand
NY, 1985
of the little girl I saw on a street corner in Gdansk, waving the
pp.35
Stars and Stripes. For both encapsule freedom. The freedom to
vote as we want, and pray where we choose. The freedom to go
about our daily lives without tyranny or fear.
Us Army lenter of Mil History
272-0313
3
Fifty years ago last Friday, our allies went to war to
protect this freedom. For as panzer tanks crossed the Polish
TIME
frontier, and bombers savaged Warsaw, liberty confronted an evil
which -- even now -- defines hell on earth.
libs
In the end, that conflict took more than 55 million lives.
And underscored, as few things have, man's inhumanity to man.
Our challenge today is to prove man's humanity to man. And by
Annual
preserving liberty without war, secure what Franklin Roosevelt
called the "Four Freedoms": Freedoms of speech, of religion,
longress, Message FOR, to
freedom from want and fear.
Jan. Le, Jan.6,1941
Today, I want to focus on one of those freedoms -- freedom
from fear. The fear of war abroad. The fear of drugs and crime
at home.
To win that freedom -- to build a better, safer life -- will
require the bravery, and sacrifice, that Americans have shown
before. And must again. Already we have done much. Now, we
must do more. And achieve real peace -- both domestic and
foreign -- the kind of peace which lasts.
First, our mission at home -- to free our country from the
fear of drugs and crime. When we ask what kind of society the
American people deserve, our answer is -- and must be -- a Nation
in which law-abiding citizens are safe and feel safe.
That is why we have sent a comprehensive battle plan to
Tell
Congress to put an end to the crime and drugs which plague the
United States.
Natl Archives + Records Admin
"Combat Area Casualty File"
11371.281
5328.494
146.777
16,846,552
4
First, our plan seeks to rid America of violent criminals
with an attack on four fronts. New laws -- to punish them. New
agents -- to arrest them. New prosecutors -- to convict them.
And new prisons -- to hold them.
We propose to dramatically change the rules of the game.
Mandatory time for firearms offenses. No deals when criminals
use a gun. And for the most heinous crimes -- you remember my
promise. For. anyone who kills a law enforcement officer -- no
penalty is too tough. We want Congress to enact the steps needed
to implement the death penalty.
In short, our crime proposals are based on three principles.
Every criminal in this Nation must understand that if they commit
a crime, they will be caught. And if caught, they will be
prosecuted. And if convicted, they will do time. By taking
hoods off the streets, we can -- and will -- take back the
streets.
I ask you to support our crime plan. And yet it's only one
part of the answer. So, two nights ago, I announced America's
first national strategy to win the war on drugs.
Our drug program aims to stop drug abuse before its start.
Through education and prevention -- from grade school to graduate
school. And, second, to help addicts who want to go clean. With
special emphasis on expectant mothers. Then, there's the third
part of our strategy -- giving drug dealers the security of the
5
slammer. And for their ultimate bosses -- the drug lords -- life
in prison, with no parole. And, finally, working with other
governments to help crack international drug rings.
As veterans, you know how battles are often fought -- house-
by-house, block-by-block. Well, we'll win this battle the same
way. Winning kid-by-kid, neighborhood-by-neighborhood.
For years now, drugs have written a sad chapter in the
American story. This morning, I ask you to help write an ending
all of us can be proud of. Cops can't do it alone. Teachers
can't do it alone. The addict weary of abuse can't do it alone.
They need your help. And I know they' 11 get it -- just as you've
helped handicapped kids, donated blood, housed the National
John Haneer John
League of Families, and spurred good government through programs
301/837 Am AmLey
like Boys State and Girls State.
Price
Today, for instance, Post Number 65 in Rosemont, Minnesota,
(como
runs the program "Drug Talk." And in Russelville, Arkansas, I
especially like Post Number 20's giveaway of thousands of rulers.
Their message says it all. "You really measure up when you say
'No' to drugs." You know -- as I do -- that we're in this
together. So let us fight on any front, and every front. Supply
and demand. Education and rehabiliation. Interdiction and
enforcement. In the cities, and the towns. Walter Lippman once
wrote of a "Nation at the mercy of violence." America must never
surrender to the violence of drugs and crime -- the future of our
children depends on it.
6
This morning, I have talked about our mission to secure
freedom from fear at home. But we also have another mission -- a
global mission -- to free America from the fear of war.
Half-a-century ago, Ike, and Nimitz, and Jimmy Doolittle,
and millions of unsung heroes -- like many here today -- fought
to end a war. You fought at Guadalcanal and Monte Casino.
At
Remagen and Bataan. You fought to rid the world of
totalitarianism and tyranny.
Our challenge may be less dramatic, but just as vital: To
make fragile peace strong, and temporary peace permanent. Today,
ours remains a global stage, and America remains its leading
player. And we must use our strength to keep the peace. Well,
this we know from World War II: The best way to ensure peace is
for America to be militarily strong.
Thankfully, America today is strong. And our strength has
helped democracy's tide run in -- even as tyranny's tide runs
out. In Poland and Hungary, in countries East and West, liberty
is sweeping the globe. Yet with even hopeful change comes
uncertainty. And with uncertainty comes the need for vigilance.
This is no time to declare freedom's victory before the fact.
That is why we need a national defense that ensures a strong
and secure America. And why I'm pleased that the Senate largely
agrees. This week, our defense authorization bill moves to
John Schwhart
House-Senate conference committee. There's just one problem:
The House version is unacceptable. It continues unneeded
OMB x4734
programs costing nearly $20 billion from 1990-94. Holding our
13844
The
American
Scheduling 9/5-9/7
3
Legion
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS * P. 0. BOX 1055 * INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46206
*
(317) 635-8411
*
OFFICE OF THE
NATIONAL COMMANDER
February 21, 1989
The President
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
The American Legion will hold its 71st Annual National
Convention in Baltimore, Maryland, September 5-7, 1989.
It is my pleasure to extend this formal and most cordial
invitation to you to address the delegates and guests of
our convention.
The most ideal time for your appearance would be on Tuesday
morning, September 5, during the opening session of our
convention. However, additional sessions of the convention
will be held on September 6 and 7. If either of these
dates would be more compatible to your schedule, the time
and date of your appearance on our program will be
arranged at your convenience.
The American Legion will be proud to welcome you to our
National Convention, both as our President and as our
fellow Legionnaire.
Sincerely,
Sparky Ginke
M. F. "SPARKY" GIERKE
National Commander
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 26, 1989
Dear Commander Gierke:
On behalf of the President, I wish to acknowledge and thank you
for your letter inviting him address The American Legion's annual
convention this fall.
The President is pleased to accept. This has been entered on his
schedule for September 7th, and nearer the date Mr. John Keller,
Jr., Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Advance,
will contact you about the President's acceptance of this
invitation.
The President's acceptance of this invitation should not be
announced to anyone until official notification is given by the
White House Press Office, and any public announcement of this
event must be coordinated with that office.
You should be aware that certain physical facility requirements
exist for any Presidential appearance. The costs associated with
these requirements are generally the responsibility of the host
and are summarized on the attached list.
If you wish to alter the current plans for this event in any way,
such as changing any part of the format, the location, or the
participants, please direct your request for the proposed change
to the Office of Presidential Appointments and Scheduling.
With best wishes,
Sincerely,
The JOSEPH W. HAGIN II
Deputy Assistant to the President
for Appointments and Scheduling
H. F. "Sparky" Gierke
National Commander
The American Legion
Post Office Box 1055
Indianapolis, Indiana 46206
08-13-89
Cheney Warns
DEFENSE BUDGET HEARTBURN ISSUES
HOUSE
SENATE
ADMINISTRATION
Defense Bill
VERSION
VERSION
REQUEST
"Star Wars' missile defense
Risks a Veto
$3.1 billion
$4.5 billion
$4.9 billion
Existing MX missile on rail cars
$600 million for research
$1.1 billion for research
$1.1 billion for research
alone
and production
and production.
Unrequested Arms
New Midgetman mobile missile
$0
$100 million
$100 million
May Force Troop Cuts
New Navy F-14D fighter plane
$857 million.
$0
$0
4/60/162
V-22 Osprey transport plane for Marines
$508 million for testing
$255 million for testing
$0
By George C. Wilson
and production
alone.
Washington Post Staff Writer
Stealth Bomber
President Bush will have no
$3.9 billion; no spending
$4.6 billion; no spending
$4.9 billion; no restrictions.
until fleet is cut.
until more testing is
choice but to veto the defense mon-
completed:
ey bill this year and sharply reduce
THE WASHINGTON POST
the number of men and women in
uniform in future years if Congress
rival defense authorization bills that
costly weapons as its stealth bomb-
keeps resurrecting weapons the
is to be convened shortly after Con-
er and fighters, also is shrinking
Pentagon wants to kill, Defense
gress returns Sept. 6 from its re-
dramatically. The Air Force has
Secretary Richard B. Cheney
cess.
gone from an active-duty force of
warned in firing the first shots in
Asked what would happen beyond
905,000 in 1968, the Vietnam War
the battle of the budget to resume
this year's budget battle if Con-
peak, to 571,000 today. Plans call
after Labor Day.
gress, as is likely, refuses to ap-
for the service to shrink to 567,474
"A veto is a real possibility" if the
prove Bush's request to increase
by the end of fiscal 1990.
House insists on a defense author-
the defense budget in real terms by
The Navy, which had 765,000
ization bill it recently passed rather
one percent in fiscal 1991 and 1992
men and women in uniform in 1968,
than accepting a measure close to
and by 2 percent in fiscal 1993, the
is scheduled to be reduced to
the Senate version, which Bush fa-
usually ebullient Cheney turned
591,541 by the end of fiscal 1990.
vors, Cheney said in an interview
glumly silent.
The Marine Corps totaled
with The Washington Post Thurs-
After a pause, the secretary re-
307,000 in 1968; it will number
day. "The president is clearly pre-
plied: "Then we've got a big prob-
197,159 at the end of fiscal 1990
pared to do that."
lem-even tougher" than the one
under the lowered force levels.
Pentagon officials complain that
that required him to cancel weap-
Cheney declined to predict how
the House subjected them to the
ons to accommodate Congress's
much the armed forces will shrink
triple whammy this year by refusing
demand for a zero-growth budget
for fiscal 1990.
after 1990 because of budget con-
to go along with weapons cancel-
lations, financing programs the
In those circumstances, he said
straints and the apparent ending of
president did not want by taking
"my bias" is to reduce further the
the Cold War. But he did say that he
money from ones he advocated and
size of the active-duty Army, Navy,
is determined to avoid going back to
Air Force and Marine Corps. This
the hollow forces of the 1970s
keeping the total defense budget at
would get people off the Pentagon
where the emphasis was on quan-
the no-growth total of $305 billion
rather than raising it to pay for the
payroll, resulting in immediate sav-
tity of people and weapons rather
add-ons.
ings in spending, without forcing
than quality.
Lawmakers counter that voters
the military to go without modern
"I'd ráther have capable forces,
did not send them to Washington to
weapons.
even if they're smaller, than I would
rubber stamp the Pentagon's bud-
Many career budget officers at
preserve the fiction of a larger
get request but to make their own
the Pentagon say there is no way to
force," Cheney said. He said former
avoid deep manpower cuts during
battalion commanders reinforced
choices on how the billions for de-
Bush's first term, given Congress's
his bias in favor of going small rath-
fense should be apportioned.
refusal to increase defense appro-
er than hollow by telling him re-
What the Pentagon calls the main
priations and the bow wave of bills
cently: "We remember when we
"heartburn" issues are the House
falling due in the mid-1990s from
had insufficient manning and large
decisions to keep the Navy's F-14D
weapons ordered in the boom years
vacancies in our roster of officers,
Tomcat fighter plane and the Ma-
of the Reagan administration. The
serious drug problems, lack of
rines' V-22 Osprey transport alive
Army, the largest service, will take
equipment, lack of spare parts,
rather than cancel them as Bush
the biggest hits, they predicted.
equipment that wouldn't work, in-
recommended, cutting money from
Today the Army is a little more
ability to train. We never want to go
the Strategic Defense Initiative and
than half of its Vietnam war size of
through that again."
the two newest strategic land mis-
1.5 million men and women. It is
Cheney said, "I've come away
siles-Midgetman and the rail mo-
slated to shrink further to a force of
from those kinds of discussions gen-
bile MX-to pay for the additions.
764,021 people by the end of the
erally with the view that we ought
"That's the veto bait," said one of
coming fiscal year.
to maintain the most capable force
the congressional staffers preparing
The Air Force, already reducing
possible. And if that means some-
for the House-Senate conference on
manpower to free money for such
what smaller forces, so be it."
American Lugion Sept. 7
old speech
JPP - questionqoire
CB backround
OMB for defense budget
Robert Howard [Jannt Graves) 4624
David Morrison
I
E.D. of American Legion (D.C.)
Mylio Krojo 737-7072
Lee Horris (317) 635 - 8411
368
Introduced by "Sparky" from No Dokoto
Supreme Cour Justice
Notl. Pres. of Dx.
5:00
David Marrison x4734
Bi-portison budget greement
- hold the line, no lower
- Appopriations - lower than budget
d contradictions
Hold the line oh b-p. budg. agreement
balonced program that provided
Sect Cheney 4/25/89 P.P.
- blue top - def. press release
on budget
- -testimency to House Armed Services
Comm.
Dorman letter Jamie Whitten (Chrm. App Comn
Senior Advisors have suggrsted reto
AUG 11 '89 14:31 FROM 2026951149
PAGE. 001
-
"If STATE
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301-1400
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THE AMERICAN LEGION
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
WASHINGTON, DC
August 16, 1989
FOR INFORMATION PLEASE CALL JOHN HANSON 861-2790 (W) OR 739-0924 (H)
Members of The American Legion and The American Legion Auxiliary have always
understood that the obligation to serve does not end when military active duty is over.
Since 1919 Legionnaires have returned to their communities and given of themselves
when no one asked them to.
Since 1985 members of the Legion and Auxiliary have given more than $13 million
in scholarships; $8.5 million in cash for needy children; $1.5 million to the United Way;
$6.5 million for handicapped children; and $2 million to the American Red Cross. That's
in cash, not time. In all, since 1985 the men and women of these two organizations have
given $144 million and more than 60 million hours.
Legionnaires and Auxiliary members did not need a Gallup Poll to know that
people were concerned about the danger of drug and alcohol abuse had on our children.
Long before more publicized programs were underway, the Legion was sponsoring
programs aimed at protecting our young people from substance abuse, teen suicide and
the epidemic of missing and abused children.
Nationally the Legion helps local posts by providing material about alcohol,
cocaine and marijuana. There are dozens of success stories locally over the years. Here
are two examples
Rosemont Post Number 65 in Rosemont, Minnesota, has put together a program
called "Drug Talk." Booklets, brochures and speakers are made available throughout the
local school system. The information carried to the kids focuses specifically on the types
of drugs that are available to them, and the threats those drugs pose to them now and in
the future.
in Russelville, Arkansas, American Legion Post Number 20 is directly involved in
"Operation War on Drugs." Thousands of six-inch rulers have been passed out, with the
message, "You really measure up when you say 'No' to drugs."
Post 20 sponsors d poster contest for 5th graders, and awards savings bonds for the
best drug awareness message, and the post is using 0 video, "Drugs, A Deadly Game,"
produced by the Boy Scouts of America, in the local school system.
A retreat sponsored by Post 20 attracted more than 1,600 young people who
of learned about the threat drugs pose to them. Recognizing a valuable resource, graduates
were the counselors local Boys at State the retreat. and Girls State programs, sponsored by the Legion and Auxiliary,
learned men and women of the Legion family care about every child.
"Operation that the War on Drugs" is spreading into the community, and total leaders have
Call me if you have questions-John
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AMERICAN LEGION MEMBERSHIP TOPS 3,000,000
INDIANAPOLIS -- For the first time in 41 years, membership in The
American Legion has topped the 3,000,000 mark. True to the stated
objective of National Commander H.F. "Sparky" Gierke, The American Legion
"will march 3,000,000 strong" into its 71st National Convention, Sept. 1-
7, Baltimore, Md.
With more than a week to go before Gierke's deadline, American Legion
enrollment totaled 3,003,584, and the counting machinery at National
Headquarters in Indianapolis is still recording members for 1989. The
membership accomplishment for 1989 will mark the fifth consecutive year of
expansion of ranks of this wartime veterans organization.
The last time American Legion membership exceeded 3 million was in
the immediate post-World War 11 era. In 1948, the Legion's ranks numbered
3,087,044.
When he assumed office last September, National Commander Gierke, the
first Vietnam veteran to be elected to the Legion's highest office,
challenged the organization's thousands of volunteer membership workers to
reach the 3,000,000 goal by the time he would preside over the annual
meeting in Baltimore and the election of a new national commander.
Gierke credited a great portion of this historic achievement to the
teanwork of thousands of American Legion volunteers and their leaders,
adapting and coordinating their traditional recruiting endeavors with a
membership marketing program developed at National Headquarters.
He also cited the role of the major American Legion programs in
widening the ranks of the organization. "Whether it something the Legion
does that is of direct benefit to the veteran, or a program that the
veteran recognizes as something vital to his or her family or community,
there's usually a reason that the new member has for joining," Gierke
said. "It is no mere coincidence that The American Legion has a pattern
of growth in its various programs in the some period that its membership
has climbed to 3,000,000."
Although he gave much credit for this membership achievement to the
thousands of recruiters and the marketing techniques of the national
organization, Gierke also pointed out that the veteran population, as well
as the general public, has also become more aware of Legion programs and
activities and more supportive of Legion positions.
"The American Legion is developing membership strength in areas we've
never been able to reach before,' Gierke said. "As we develop our
traditional programs of service in those areas, we develop a greater
awareness in those areas that The American Legion is an organization
that's 'in sync' with the mainstream of America."
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The
American
Legion
*
WASHINGTON OFFICE * 1608 "K" STREET, N.W. * WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006 *
(202) 861-2700 *
(202) 861-2728-1 - FAX
For God and Country
TELECOPY COPY COVER SHEET
DATE:
8-16-89
Cuet sonith
TO:
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COMPANY:
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FROM:
John Hanson
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COMMENT:
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
AUGUST 29, 1989
INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
THROUGH: CHRISS WINSTON
FROM:
CURT SMITH
as
SUBJECT: SEPTEMBER 7 AMERICAN LEGION ADDRESS
I. SUMMARY
On Thursday, September 7, at 10 A.M., at the Baltimore Convention
Center, you will address 8-9,000 American Legion members at their
annual convention. You last addressed this group one year ago to the
day. You will be introduced by the Legion's National Commander,
Justice H.F. "Sparky" Gierke.
II. DISCUSSION
The enclosed remarks (17 minutes) focus on what Franklin Roosevelt
called "Freedom from fear" -- in 1989, freedom from war abroad; freedom
from drugs and crime at home. They discuss the Administration's crime and
drug initiatives, and the importance of approving the Administration's
Defense Authorization Bill.
(Smith/Blessey)
Draft Eight
August 29, 1989
LEGION
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: AMERICAN LEGION
BALTIMORE CONVENTION CENTER
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1989
Justice Gierke [GER-kee] -- as a fellow Legionnaire, let me
salute the first Viet Nam veteran to be selected National
Commander. And all of you who represent our Nation's largest and
fastest-growing veterans organization -- more than 3 million
members strong.
As always, it is a great privilege to join you. And a deep
personal pleasure to renew old ties. And to greet new friends.
Today is September 7th -- and I'm determined not to repeat
the mistake I made last year when I referred to this date as
Pearl Harbor Day. Now that I've dispensed with that
announcement, I want to wish all of you a happy Thanksgiving.
Not surprisingly, anniversaries were on my mind as I
traveled here from Washington. Events like this 71st national
convention of the American Legion, or the 200th birthday of the
Coast Guard. Or the very first anniversary of the Department of
Veterans Affairs -- led by its Secretary and our good friend, Ed
Derwinski. A Department intent on serving you -- as you have
served your country.
Well, as you can imagine, these birthdays, in turn, got me
to thinking about another anniversary -- the 175th this year of
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the "Star-Spangled Banner." And how your convention lies so near
its famous birthplace.
Tuesday, you did something that would have pleased Francis
Scott Key -- and for which I thank you. For by supporting a
Constitutional Amendment making it illegal to desecrate the
American flag, you joined the crusade to protect the symbol of
America's honor. What our flag embodies is too sacred to be
abused.
Woodrow Wilson once called the flag "the embodiment, not of
sentiment, but of history." And then the 28th President went on
to say, "It represents the experiences made by men and women, the
experiences of those who do and live under that flag." "
He meant, of course, that the flag -- like America --
represents many things. It represents self-expression and
opportunity. And democracy for all.
Like America, too, Old Glory reflects the values -- moral
and intellectual, economic and military -- that have made, and
keep, us strong.
And like America, the flag symbolizes the gallantry of
veterans who love their country -- giving themselves, and often
their lives, to its protection. Storming the beaches of Okinawa.
Scaling the cliffs of Normandy. Taking shell-torn hills named
Hamburger and Arrowhead.
for seven decades the "experiences" of the
Vietnam War
Am
"men and women" -- have helped write the
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Story of America and the story of our flag. And today -- in
peacetime as in wartime -- you write their stories still.
For the flag, like America, is more than "sentiment." It
lives. On the rugged hill called Iwo Jima. It lifts. The tiny
hand of the little girl I saw on a street corner in Gdansk,
waving the Stars and Stripes. For both encapsule freedom. The
freedom to vote as we want, and pray when and where we choose.
The freedom to go about our daily lives without tyranny or fear.
Fifty years ago this month, our allies went to war to
protect this freedom. For as panzer tanks crossed the Polish
frontier, and bombers savaged Warsaw, liberty confronted the evil
of fascism which -- even now -- defines hell on earth.
In the end, that conflict took more than 50 million lives.
And underscored, as few things have, man's inhumanity to man.
Our challenge today is to prove man's humanity to man by
preserving liberty without war. And thus secure what Franklin
Roosevelt called the "Four Freedoms": Freedom of speech, of
religion, freedom from want and fear.
Today, I want to focus on one of those freedoms -- freedom
from fear. The fear of war abroad. The fear of drugs and crime
at home.
To win that freedom -- to build a better, safer life -- will
require the bravery, and sacrifice, that Americans have shown
before. And must again. Already we have done much. Now, we
must do more. And achieve real peace -- both domestic and
foreign -- the kind of peace which lasts.
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First, our mission at home -- to free our country from the
fear of drugs and crime. When we ask what kind of society the
American people deserve, our answer is -- and must be -- a Nation
in which law-abiding citizens are safe and feel safe.
That is why we have sent a comprehensive battle plan to
Congress to put an end to the crime and drugs which plague the
United States.
First, our plan seeks to rid America of violent criminals
with an attack on four fronts. New laws -- to punish them. New
agents -- to arrest them. New prosecutors -- to convict them.
And new prisons -- to hold them.
We propose to change the rules of the game dramatically.
Mandatory time for firearms offenses. No deals when criminals
use a gun. And for the most heinous crimes -- you remember my
promise. For anyone who kills a law enforcement officer -- no
legal penalty is too tough. We want Congress to enact the steps
needed to implement the death penalty.
In short, our crime proposals are based on three principles.
Criminals in this Nation must understand that if they commit a
crime, they will be caught. And if caught, they will be
prosecuted. And if convicted, they will do time. By taking
hoods off the streets, we can -- and will -- take back the
streets.
I ask you to support our crime plan. And yet it's only one
part of the answer. So, two nights ago, I announced America's
first comprehensive national strategy to win the war on drugs.
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Our drug program aims to stop drug use before it starts.
Through education and prevention -- from grade school to graduate
school. And, second, through treatment, to help addicts who want
to get clean. With special emphasis on expectant mothers. Then,
there's the third part of our strategy -- getting drug dealers
off the streets and behind bars where they belong. And for their
ultimate bosses -- the drug lords -- life in prison, with no
parole. And, finally, working with other governments to help
crack international drug rings.
As veterans, you know how battles are often fought -- house-
by-house, block-by-block. Well, we'll win this battle the same
way. Winning kid-by-kid, neighborhood-by-neighborhood.
For years now, drugs have written a sad chapter in the
American story. This morning, I ask you to help write an ending
all of us can be proud of. Cops can't do it alone. Teachers
can't do it alone. The addict weary of abuse can't do it alone.
They need your help. And I know they'll get it -- just as you've
helped handicapped kids, donated blood, aided the National League
of Families, and spurred good government through programs like
Boys State and Girls State.
Today, for instance, Post Number 65 in Rosemont, Minnesota,
runs the program "Drug Talk." And in Russelville, Arkansas, I
especially like Post Number 20's giveaway of thousands of rulers.
Their message says it all. "You really measure up when you say
'No' to drugs."
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You know -- as I do -- that we're in this together. So let
us fight on any front, and every front. Supply and demand.
Education and rehabilitation. Interdiction and enforcement. In
the cities, and the towns. Walter Lippmann once wrote of a
"Nation at the mercy of violence." America must never surrender
to the violence of drugs and crime -- the future of our children
depends on it.
This morning, I have talked about our mission to secure
freedom from fear at home. But we also have another mission -- a
global mission -- to free America from the fear of war.
Half-a-century ago, Ike, and Nimitz, and Jimmy Doolittle,
and millions of unsung heroes -- like many here today -- fought
to end a war. You fought at Guadalcanal and Monte Cassino. At
Remagen and Bataan. You fought to rid the world of
totalitarianism and tyranny.
Our challenge may be less dramatic, but just as vital: To
secure freedom in a world at peace. Today, ours remains a global
stage, and America remains its leading player. And we must use
our strength to maintain peace and freedom. For this we know
from World War II: The best way to protect that freedom and
ensure real peace is for America to be militarily strong.
Thankfully, America today is strong. And our strength has
helped democracy's tide run in -- even as tyranny's tide runs
out. The new breeze of freedom, which I have spoken of before,
is blowing in Poland and Hungary, in countries East and West.
Yet with even hopeful change comes uncertainty. And with
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uncertainty comes the need for vigilance. This is no time to
declare freedom's victory before the fact.
That is why we need a national defense that ensures a strong
and secure America. And why I'm pleased that the Senate largely
agrees. This week, our defense authorization bill moves to
House-Senate conference committee. There's just one problem:
The House version is unacceptable. It continues unneeded
programs costing nearly $20 billion from 1990-94. Holding our
defense budget hostage to pork-barrel projects that will strip
money from programs crucial to strategic modernization.
This modernization is vital -- vital because America must
base its procurement decisions not on perestroika and glasnost --
but on the future capacity -- the actual weapons -- that any
Soviet leader might have available. As decades change, so do the
weapons needed to deter other Nations' first-strike ability.
This President -- any President -- would betray his office if --
yielding to today's headlines -- he viewed America's deterrence
in a vacuum.
I don't -- and won't. For we we must maintain America's
defense by strengthening its deterrent triad. And by that I
mean: Submarines, missiles, and the B-2 bomber.
We have called for two Trident submarines to be funded in
1990 and 1991. Today, I renew that call. And reaffirm my
commitment to the second part of our triad: strategic land-based
missiles. Already, the Soviet Union is deploying two mobile
systems. We have none. We need to move forward with our mobile
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programs. Not only to modernize our forces into the 21st
Century. But to gain leverage for arms control.
What we're talking about is simple logic. Or as Sam Rayburn
said, "If a man has common sense, he has all the sense there is."
Accordingly, our program calls for two systems: A new
single-warhead small ICBM missile and our Peacekeeper multi-
warhead ICBM. The small ICBM represents the future of our ICBM
force -- highly mobile with a single warhead -- the very essence
of stability and deterrence. But it won't be ready until 1997.
So to fill the void, I have asked Congress for funds to shift
existing Peacekeepers to rail cars -- providing survivability, at
low cost, to this very effective and proven system.
The third part of our deterrent triad -- the B-2 or Stealth
Bomber -- employs absolutely revolutionary technology to make
certain that it can penetrate defenses and assure the credibility
of our deterrence. And here's how: the B-2 makes it impossible
for any country to destroy a mixed force of bombers and missiles.
Finally, there's the last part of our defense equation --
the Strategic Defense Initiative. SDI will begin the movement
from offensive to defensive deterrence. And deter not merely
existing threats but also Nations on the verge of possessing
nuclear and chemical missiles. If that's not common sense, I
don't like fishing.
Fellow veterans, real peace is not an accident. So, let us
modernize our strategic forces. And, thus, encourage arms
control. We need the Trident and the small ICBM. We need the
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Peacekeeper, B-2, and SDI. And I have proposed to the Congress
an affordable budget to pay for them. It is a solid, well-
thought-out and essential program. The Congress should support
it and not try to substitute pet projects in place of a closely
integrated strategic program. For this, above all, we know:
When it comes to national defense, finishing second means
finishing last.
Twenty-seven years ago, Douglas MacArthur returned to the
Plain at West Point, where he gave a speech to the cadets. "The
soldier," he told them, "above all other people, prays for peace
-- for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of
war. "
Each of us knows the truth of General MacArthur's words.
Yes, at times, war has been inevitable -- at times, even
necessary. But not here. Not now. Not if we summon the heart
and will to build a more secure and peaceful world.
We can have an America free from war, free from drugs and
crime. An America free from fear. What a wonderful legacy --
for this and generations of children to come.
Some might call it only a dream. I say: America is the
land of dreams -- dreams that come true. God bless you all, and
God bless the United States of America.
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