Memorandum from Secretary of State George C. Marshall to President Harry S. Truman

5638 President net t Seaf 8/24/48 original with origint State mean from the TOP SECRET August 23, 1948 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT it TRATIONAL Subject: Western Union Organization of Defensive Forces of I have just completed a lengthy discussion with Secretary Forrestal, Secretary Royall, General Bradley and General Gruenther regarding a decision that has to be taken by us prior to the meeting tomorrow in London regarding the Western Union organization of the defensive forces. It has not been thought advisable to attempt to see you personal- ly because of the fact that the meeting might be reported, and in view of the tense situation in Moscow, that would be unfortunate. Hence this memorandum. It is the unanimous opinion that our observer should go ahead in agreement with the organization on the continent of a Western Union supreme commander and staff, this to be done as secretly as possible, no American representative being formally included on the staff at this time, but a place reserved for an American deputy supreme commander. Further, that we support the appointment of a Western Union supreme commander from among the list Montgomery, Alexander, or the French General Juin, now in Morocco. The probability is that the French would not put forward General Juin, but someone else less desirable. Our feeling is that under the circumstances, considering the extreme dif- ficulty of the position in the early stages of hostilities, should that develop, a man of the forcible character of Montgomery would probably be preferable. The point of this memorandum is that we did not want, without ad- vising you, to commit ourselves to the support of the appointment of a supreme commander of the Western Union forces, who would automatical- ly become the supreme commander of the Western front and, as such, would be exercising command over the American troops now in Germany. We are all in agreement at the present time that during the preliminary phases of hostilities, should that occur, it would not be advisable to have an American commander. Incidentally, the British are very insistent that there should be an American commander. DECLASSIFIED TOP SECRET E. O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) or (E) R. VOL III / 14t pay' 221 Dept. of State letter, Aug. 9, 1973 re ceus UPTI 1948 P.221 By NLT- He , NARS Date 6-2-76