Proposed Message from Secretary of Defense George C. Marshall to Secretary of the Army Frank Pace

TOP OLONC DECLASSIFIED E.O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) WHITE HOURE PRESS RELEASE LIMITH NARS Date. 37-75 PROPOSED MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MARSHALL TO SECRETARY PACE: This message is in three parts. Part I. It is desired that you deliver in person, preferably at the Embassy, the following message to General MacArthur at 1000 hours, Thursday, Tokyo time. If on Thursday morning it appears that President's message cannot be delivered at that hour, you should send a flash message to the Secretary of Defense in order to control the release in Washington of the President's directive and statement. and Order to General MacArthur "I deeply regret that it becomes my duty as President and Commander-in-Chief of the United States military forces to replace you as Supreme Commander Allied Powers; Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command; Commander-in-Chief, Far East; and Com- manding General, U. S. Army, Far East. "You will turn over your commands, effective at once, to Lt. General Matthew B. Ridgway. You are authorized to have issued such orders as are necessary to complete desired travel to such place as you select. "My reasons for your replacement, which will be made public concurrently with the delivery to you of the foregoing order, will be communicated to you by Secretary Pace. " Statement by the President "With deep regret I have concluded that General of the Army Douglas MacArthur is unable to give his wholehearted support to the policies of the United States Government and of the United Nations in matters pertain- ing to his official duties. In view of the specific respon- - sibilities imposed upon me by the Constitution of the United States and the added responsibility which has been entrusted to me by the United Nations, I have decided that I must make a change of command in the Far East. I have, TOP SEORED