Letter from Secretary of War Robert Patterson to Senator Brien McMahon

p y 7 March 1947 Honorable Brien McMahon United States Senate AMD Dear Senator McMahon: EFCORDS I have your letter of recent date, in which you dis- cussed War Department policy relating to utilization of Negro manpower in the post war Army. The War Department policy on the above subject is pub- lished in War Department Circular No. 124, dated April 27, 1946, a copy of which is inclosed. For convenient reference, I quote in part from the policy as outlined in this Circular: "To effect the maximum efficient utilization of the authorized Negro manpower inthe post war period, the War Department had adopted the following policy: "Negro manpower in the post war Army will be uti- lized on a broader professional scale than has obtained here- tofore. The development of leaders and specialists based on individual merit and ability, to meet effectively the require- ments of an expanded war Army will be accomplished through the medium of installations and organizations. Groupings of Negro units with white units in composite organizations will be accepted policy." "The Initial Objectives: The utilization of the proportionate ratio of the manpower made available to the military establishment during the postwar period. The man- power potential to be organized and trained" in consonance with the above policy. "The Ultimate Objective: The effective use of all manpower made available to the military establishment in the event of a major mobilization at some unknown date against an undetermined agressor. The manpower to be utilized, in the event of another major war, in the Army without regard " to antecedents or race.