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178295380
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Press Release, Correspondence Between President Harry S. Truman and Robert Patterson
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doc
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document
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1
Source metadata
id
178295380
contentType
document
title
Press Release, Correspondence Between President Harry S. Truman and Robert Patterson
citationUrl
collections
White House Press Release Files (Truman Administration)
White House Press Releases
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178295380
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day
18
logicalDate
1947-07-18
month
7
year
1947
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nara-archive
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1
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photo
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1e058aa4844c92f4
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288
#1241
IMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 18, 1947
The Prosident has today sent the following lotter to the
Honorable Robert P. Patterson, accepting his resignation as Secretary of
War:
"July 18, 1947
Doar Bob:
Your lotter of this dato leavos me no choico but to
accept your resignation as Secretary of War, offoctivo at the
close of business July twonty-fourth. Never have I accepted
a resignation from the Government service with more poignant
regret. I yield to your desire only because I can no longer
FRUMAN
in good conscience ask you to stay on.
NARA
5
It is hard for me to find the proper words with which
to describe the character of your service to our country. It
has boen magnificent. It has been utterly selfless. I saw
a
great deal of your work when I was head of the Senate Committee
to Investigate the National Defense Program and you were Under
Secretary of War. You then had charge of the procurement of
supplies for our Army. How woll you acquitted yourself in that
vital task is attested by the results. Whon Secretary Stimson
resigned I was comfortable in the knowledge that the adninistration
of the Var Department would bo carriod on with the samo zeal and
efficiency that he had domonstrated. Again, the results provo
the truth of this conviction.
I want to add, Bob, that I valuo, more than words can
tell, the friondship that has grown up betwoen us. The of ficial
loss of your services is also to me a doep personal loss
I want to feol froe to call on you from time to time for
counsel.
With every good wish, believe me, as always
Vory sincerely yours,
/s/ HARRY S. TRUMAN"
Mr. Fatterson's letter to the President follows:
"July 18, 1947
Dear Mr. President:
I am submitting my resignation as Secrotary of War, to
take effect not lator than July 24th.
As you know, I could not see my way clear to leave until
the issue of reorganization of the military establishment was re-
solved. I have done everything in my powor to promote the unity
of the armed forces. Now that it appears that the reorganization
lavi is about to be enacted in final form, the time has come to lay
down the duties I have borno for seven years as Assistant Secretary,
Under Secretary and Secrotary of War.
I cannot leavo without expressing my deop gratitude for
the trust and confidence you have always given me, as well as my
approciation for the inspiring leadership you have furnished.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ ROBERT P. PATTERSON"