AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT TO PRESENT, IN THE NAME OF CONGRESS, A DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS TO GEORGE F. THOMPSON (H. R. 5324). MR. WALLGREN

NAVY DEPARTMENT,

Washington, April 8, 1937.

The CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS,

House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The bill (H. R. 5324) authorizing the President to present, in the name of Congress, a Distinguished Service Cross to George F. Thompson, was referred to the Navy Department by your committee with a request for report and recommendation. This bill would authorize the President to present, in the name of Congress, a Distinguished Service Cross to George F. Thompson, of the United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous bravery while serving as a private in the Marine Corps on the night of July 18, 1918, at the Forest of Retz.

George W. Thompson was born April 21, 1897, and enrolled as a private in the Marine Corps Reserve February 13, 1918, to serve 4 years. He embarked on board the U. S. S. Henderson April 23, 1918, for duty overseas and served ashore in France with the American Expeditionary Forces from May 7, 1918, to July 25, 1919, when he embarked on board the U. S. S. George Washington for return to the United States. Private Thompson was transferred from the Reserve to the Regular Marine Corps September 5, 1919, and was honorably discharged therefrom upon expiration of enlistment February 12, 1922. He reenlisted in the Marine Corps September 9, 1922, and served until March 14, 1924, when he was honorably discharged upon report of a board of medical survey.

The records of the Navy Department show that as a member of the Forty-ninth Company, Fifth Regiment of Marines, Private Thompson. took part in the attack against the enemy June 21 to June 26, 1918, in Bois de Belleau, Bouresches sector northwest of Chateau Thierry; in the Allied drive against the Germans in the region of the Foret Domanilae de Retz, Chaudun and Vaux Castille; and September 12 to 15, 1918, participated in the American drive against the Germans in the region of Julney, France. The records further show him present as follows: Chateau Thierry sector, June 8 to July 9, 1918; Aisne-Marne offensive, July 18 to 20, 1918; Marbache sector, August 2 to 22, 1918; and St. Mihiel offensive, September 12 to 22, 1918. There is no record of a recommendation for the award of a Distinguished Service Cross or other decoration for Private Thompson.

The bill H. R. 5324, if enacted into law, would involve no additional cost to the Government other than the price of the Distinguished Service Cross.

The Navy Department recommends against the enactment of the bill H. R. 5324.

Sincerely yours,

CLAUDE A. SWANSON.

FOR THE RELIEF OF WILLIAM J. DEASY (H. R. 5082). MR. HIGGINS

NAVY DEPARTMENT,

Washington, April 8, 1937.

The CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS,

House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.

MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The bill (H. R. 5082) for the relief of William J. Deasy was referred to the Navy Department by your committee with a request for report and recommendation.

The purpose of this bill is to consider William J. Deasy as having been honorably discharged from the naval service on May 12, 1917. The records of the Navy Department show that William J. Deasy was born on July 12, 1895, and enlisted in the Navy on March 12, 1917. His record shows the following:

March 21, 1917: Absent over liberty 16 hours and 25 minutes.

April 25, 1917: Absent over liberty 65 hours convicted by summary court martial, and the sentence included a bad-conduct discharge, which was remitted subject to his conduct for a period of 6 months.

May 11, 1917: Left ship without permission while a prisoner at large. The commanding officer accordingly terminated Deasy's probationary period and directed that the bad-conduct discharge, adjudged, be effected, which discharge was effected at Boston, Mass., on May 12, 1917.

The bill (H. R. 5082), if enacted into law, would result in no cost to the Navy; however, it is probable that a charge under the Veterans' Administration would be involved now or in the future.

The Navy Department recommends against the enactment of the bill H. R. 5082.

Sincerely yours,

CLAUDE A. SWANSON.