Extracted text

OCR Page 1 of 5
357-7 Gebruary 13,1946 Dear Mr. Fleming: Although I am sure that the President would like to accede to your recent request that he present the Congressional Medal of Honor to the widow of Colonel Robert L. Vance, it appears that he cannot properly do SO. Due to the pressure of his official duties, the President has been forced to reserve the Presidential award of the Congressional Medal of Honor to surviving recipients. In pursuance of this necessary action, several requests such as yours have been reluctantly refused. I feel certain that you will understand that the President, in deference to the next-of-kin of other deceased heroes, feels unable to reverse this announced policy. I understand that the War Department has been in constant touch with Mrs. Vance during the past year and is anxious to arrange a suitable presentation. Sincerely yours, MATTHEW J. CONNELLY Secretary to the President Mr. Ed Fleming x Box 608 Enid, Oklahoma