Office of the Historian

882.20/479½

Memorandum by the Acting Chief of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs (Alling) and the Chief of the Division of Controls (Green)

[Washington,] July 28, 1939.

It has been suggested that the War Department might detail six negro non-commissioned officers to assist the Military Adviser to the Liberian Government in the training of troops in the use of machine guns.

There is no authority in law for the detailing of American Army personnel for service in Liberia. Such action could be accomplished only by means of the subterfuge of assigning a negro military attaché to the Legation in Monrovia, and detailing six non-commissioned officers ostensibly as members of his staff. Such action might subject the Administration to severe criticism.

This memorandum has been seen and approved by the Chief of Staff of the Army.

  • Paul H. Alling
  • Joseph C. Green