TO PROHIBIT THE UNAUTHORIZED WEARING, MANUFACTURE, OR SALE OF MEDALS AND BADGES ISSUED BY THE NAVY DEPARTMENT (H. R. 3601). MR. VINSON OF GEORGIA NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 19, 1937. The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR Mr. SPEAKER: There is transmitted herewith a draft of a proposed bill "To prohibit the unauthorized wearing, manufacture, or sale of medals and badges issued by the Navy Department." The purpose of this bill is to prohibit the unauthorized wearing, manufacture, or sale of medals or badges authorized by the Congress for the naval forces of the United States or awarded by the Navy Department. There has come to the attention of the Navy Department the fact that specimens of Navy service or campaign medals and insignia in regulation sizes are offered for sale to any person who will pay a few dollars therefor. It appears that the purchaser's authority to wear such medals or insignia is not questioned, and that certain stores are in a position to furnish replicas of these various medals, badges, and insignia as desired. Miniatures of service and campaign medals also have been offered for sale. A similar provision of law has been enacted for the Army, namely, the act of February 24, 1923 (42 Stat. 1286; U. S. Code, title 10, sec. 1425), as amended by the act of April 21, 1928 (45 Stat., 437; U. S. Code, title 10, sec. 1425). The Navy Department feels that just as much consideration should be given Navy medals or badges. The proposed legislation, if enacted into law, would involve no additional expense to the Government. The Navy Department recommends that the proposed legislation be enacted. The proposed legislation is in accord with the program of the President. Sincerely yours, 91216-37-No. 5 CLAUDE A. SWANSON. (9) TO AMEND THE ACT APPROVED FEBRUARY 15, 1929, ENTITLED "AN ACT TO PERMIT CERTAIN WARRANT OFFICERS TO COUNT ALL ACTIVE SERVICE RENDERED UNDER TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT AS WARRANT OR COMMISSIONED OFFICERS IN THE REGULAR NAVY, OR AS WARRANT OR COMMISSIONED OFFICERS IN THE UNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVE FORCE, FOR PURPOSE OF PROMOTION TO CHIEF WARRANT RANK" (H. R. 3602). MR. VINSON OF GEORGIA NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 19, 1937. The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. SPEAKER: There is transmitted herewith a draft of a proposed bill "To amend the Act approved February 15, 1929, entitled 'An act to permit certain warrant officers to count all active service rendered under temporary appointment as warrant or commissioned officers in the Regular Navy, or as warrant or commissioned officers in the United States Naval Reserve Force, for purpose of promotion to chief warrant rank'." The act of February 15, 1929, reads as follows: That for the purpose of computing the six years' service required for promotion from warrant to chief warrant rank, all active service, for purposes other than training heretofore rendered during the period from April 6, 1917, to December 31, 1921, under a temporary appointment as a warrant or commissioned officer in the United States Navy, or as a warrant or commissioned officer in the United States Naval Reserve Force, shall be counted: Provided, That officers who have heretofore been commissioned chief warrant officers shall for all purposes be regarded as having been so commissioned from the date of completion of such six years' service, including the service authorized to be counted by this Act: Provided further, That no back pay or allowances shall be held to have accrued prior to the passage of this Act. By statute, warrant officers are eligible for commissions as chief warrant officers "after 6 years from date of warrant." (33 Stat., 346; U. S. C., title 34, sec. 331; 35 Stat., 771; U. S. C., title 34, sec. 333; 39 Stat. 573; U. S. C., title 34, sec. 336). By the act of February 15, 1929, above quoted, provision is made to permit certain warrant officers to count all active service rendered under temporary appointments as warrant or commissioned officers in the Regular Navy, or as warrant or commissioned officers in the Naval Reserve Force, for promotion to chief warrant rank. This act applies alike to warrant officers in the Navy and the Marine Corps (Harry H. Couvrette v. The United States, Court of Claims no. M-131, decided Jan. 9, 1933). No provision of law has been enacted, however, to cover active service performed during the war as warrant or commissioned officers in the National Naval Volunteers. enclosed draft would permit of the counting of such service. The The proposed legislation, if enacted, would affect three chief warrant officers formerly in the National Naval Volunteers. With the passage of this proposed bill, these officers would be given slight increases in pay based on longevity, about a year earlier than they would originally have received such increases, but due to their eligibility for retirement a year earlier the Government, in such event, would save the difference between active duty and retired pay which would amount to more than the present increases. The Navy Department recommends the enactment of the proposed legislation. The proposed legislation is in accord with the program of the President. Sincerely yours, CLAUDE A. SWANSON. |