Newton D. Baker to Woodrow Wilson
Title
Newton D. Baker to Woodrow Wilson
Creator
Baker, Newton Diehl, 1871-1937
Identifier
WWP25349
Date
1918 October 30
Description
Secretary of War writes to President Wilson that Major Martin should get an honorable discharge.
Source
Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
United States. Army
United States. War Department
Contributor
Anna Phillips
Relation
WWP25350
WWP25351
Language
English
Provenance
Document scan was taken from Library of Congress microfilm reel of the Wilson Papers. WWPL volunteers transcribed the text.
Text
My dear Mr. President:
Referring to your letter of September 16th, 1918, and to the reply from this office, in regard to major Edwin Allen Martin, I have the honor to inform you that the papers in his case have been received.
Major Martin appeared before a Board of Officers appointed under the provisions of the first section of the Act approved May 18, 1917, and entitled, “An Act to authorize the President to increase temporarily the military establishment of the United States”. The finding and recommendation of this Board were as follows:
“1st. That temporary Captain Edwin A. Martin, 5th Cavalry, is not qualified and does not possess the necessary capacity to hold a commission in the regular army.
2nd. That his moral conduct has been satisfactory.
3rd. That he is not an efficient officer, and is not competent to perform all the duties that might devolve upon an officer of his rank.”
“The Board, therefore, considers this officer unfit and unsuitable for permanent appointment and recommends that under the provisions of Paragraph 7, G.O. 76, W.D., 1917, the provisional commission of temporary Captain Edwin A. Martin, 5th Cavalry, (now Major of Infantry, U.S.A.,Emer.) be terminated at once; and that the commission which he now holds as Major of Infantry, Emergency Appointment, be vacated.”
The proceedings were approved by the Commanding General, Southern Department and have been forwarded to the War Department for final action.
I have caused all the records of this officer on file in the War Department to be very carefully reviewed. It is the opinion of the Department that it is for the best interests of the service that the commission of Major Martin be honorably terminated, and after a personal examination of the papers I concur in this opinion.
As you have been interested in this young officer, I am enclosing a brief statement of his service for your information.
Unless you express a desire for some other action I will cause the necessary steps to be taken to honorably discharge him from the service.
Sincerely yours,
NEWTON D. BAKER
Secretary of War.
1 Incl.
The President,
The White House.
Referring to your letter of September 16th, 1918, and to the reply from this office, in regard to major Edwin Allen Martin, I have the honor to inform you that the papers in his case have been received.
Major Martin appeared before a Board of Officers appointed under the provisions of the first section of the Act approved May 18, 1917, and entitled, “An Act to authorize the President to increase temporarily the military establishment of the United States”. The finding and recommendation of this Board were as follows:
“1st. That temporary Captain Edwin A. Martin, 5th Cavalry, is not qualified and does not possess the necessary capacity to hold a commission in the regular army.
2nd. That his moral conduct has been satisfactory.
3rd. That he is not an efficient officer, and is not competent to perform all the duties that might devolve upon an officer of his rank.”
“The Board, therefore, considers this officer unfit and unsuitable for permanent appointment and recommends that under the provisions of Paragraph 7, G.O. 76, W.D., 1917, the provisional commission of temporary Captain Edwin A. Martin, 5th Cavalry, (now Major of Infantry, U.S.A.,Emer.) be terminated at once; and that the commission which he now holds as Major of Infantry, Emergency Appointment, be vacated.”
The proceedings were approved by the Commanding General, Southern Department and have been forwarded to the War Department for final action.
I have caused all the records of this officer on file in the War Department to be very carefully reviewed. It is the opinion of the Department that it is for the best interests of the service that the commission of Major Martin be honorably terminated, and after a personal examination of the papers I concur in this opinion.
As you have been interested in this young officer, I am enclosing a brief statement of his service for your information.
Unless you express a desire for some other action I will cause the necessary steps to be taken to honorably discharge him from the service.
Sincerely yours,
NEWTON D. BAKER
Secretary of War.
1 Incl.
The President,
The White House.
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Files
Collection
Citation
Baker, Newton Diehl, 1871-1937, “Newton D. Baker to Woodrow Wilson,” 1918 October 30, WWP25349, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.