868.2222/10
The Greek Ambassador
94
(Diamantopoulos) to
the Acting Secretary of State
No. 2635
Washington
, October 19,
1942.
Mr. Secretary: Referring to your Excellency’s
letter dated July 13, and to the memorandum attached thereto concerning
the formation of separate battalions of Greeks to be assigned to the
various divisions of the American Army, I beg to enclose herewith an
outline of the conclusions reached by Colonel F. W. Evans, General
Staff, Chief, Mobilization–Organization Branch, and by Colonel Demetrios
Xenos of the Greek Army, and to make a formal application for final
decision from the War Department, these conclusions having been agreed
to by the Greek Government.
Accept [etc.]
[Page 821]
[Enclosure]
Memorandum by the Greek Embassy
- 1.
- The drafting of Greek Citizens in the United States will take
place on the same basis as drafting of Americans. Voluntary
enlistment is preferred.
- 2.
- At the beginning one Infantry Battalion will be formed.
- 3.
- The United States uniform, with a special badge or insignia
indicating the Greek character of the unit, will be worn.
- 4.
- Officers of the Unit. Officers of the United States Army who
are of Greek origin and are already serving in the United States
Army or are to be chosen from the unit being formed. A number of
officers of the Greek Army may be accepted on condition of their
incorporation with the United States Army officers.
- 5.
- If a second or a third battalion has to be formed, all three
battalions will form an infantry regiment.
- 6.
- If a further number of recruits are available the formation of
an artillery unit is not excluded.
- 7.
- The nucleus of the first battalion will be composed of
Greek-American citizens who speak Greek.
- 8.
- In case the number of the Greek recruits is not sufficient for
the formation of the first battalion, it will be filled up by
American citizens speaking Greek who expressed the desire to
serve in the Greek unit.
- 9.
- The entire expense for matériel and maintenance of the above
formations to be borne by the American Government.
- 10.
- Men enlisted in these battalions will have all the rights
enjoyed by those serving in other American units.
