[No. 187]

TO PROVIDE A HIGHER RANK ON THE THE RETIRED LIST FOR CERTAIN OFFICERS OF THE NAVY (H. R. 6167). MR. FLAHERTY

NAVY DEPATRMENT, Washington, January 26, 1942.

The CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS,

House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.

MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The bill (H. R. 6167) to provide a higher rank on the retired list for certain officers of the Navy, was referred to the Navy Department by your committee with request for report thereon.

The purpose of the bill H. R. 6167 is to reward certain officers of the Navy for World War service who have had not less than 30 years' service.

The Navy Department is of the opinion that the advancement of any officer of the Navy upon retirement to a higher grade is not warranted on the basis of wartime service or on length of service. There appears to be no equitable reason to justify the advancement authorized by the proposed legislation.

The bill H. R. 6167, if enacted into law, would result in an immediate increased cost to the Government of approximately $123,500 per annum. The future increased cost would be approximately $61,550 per annum, exclusive of those active list officers who may later qualify for these benefits.

In view of the foregoing, the Navy Department recommends against enactment of the bill H. R. 6167.

The Navy Department has been advised by the Bureau of the Budget that there would be no objection to the submission of this recommendation as the enactment of the proposed legislation would not be in accord with the program of the President.

Sincerely yours,

FRANK KNOX.

[No. 188]

PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A SAILOR'S MEDAL AND A MARINE'S MEDAL, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (H. R. 6275). MR. MAAS

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 26, 1942.

The CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS,

House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.

MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The bill (H. R. 6275) providing for the issuance of a sailor's medal and a marine's medal, and for other purposes, was referred to the Navy Department by your committee with request for report thereon.

The purpose of the bill H. R. 6275 is to authorize the President to present the appropriate one of two medals to be known as the sailor's medal and the marine's medal to any person who while serving in the Navy and Marine Corps shall hereafter distinguish himself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy, or to whom has heretofore been awarded a letter of commendation.

The retroactive feature of the proposed legislation would cause administrative difficulties and would make eligible for the medals persons who had been awarded letters of commendation for other than deeds of heroism.

It is considered by the Navy Department that the bill should proride for but one decoration to be known as the Navy ard Marine Corps Medal. Accordingly, it is suggested that the bill H. R. 6275 be amended to read as follows:

Providing for the issuance of a Navy and Marine Corps Medal, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That (a) under such rules and regulations as he may prescribe, the President is authorized to present, but not in the name of Congress, a medal, to be known as the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, of appropriate design with accompanying ribbon, together with a rosette or other device to be worn in lieu thereof, to any person who while serving in any capacity with the United States Navy and Marine Corps, including the Naval Reserve and Marine Corps Reserve, shall hereafter distinguish himself or herself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy.

"(b) No more than one Navy and Marine Corps Medal shall be issued to any one person, but for each succeeding deed or act sufficient to justify the award of the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, the President may award a bar or other suitable device to be worn as he shall direct.

(c) Each enlisted person or enrolled person to whom there shall be awarded the Navy and Marine Corps medal shall be entitled to additional pay at the rate of $2 per month from the date of the act of heroism on which the award is based, and each bar, or other suitable device, awarded for succeeding deeds of heroism shall entitle him to further additional pay at the rate of $2 per month from the date of the act of heroism for which such bar or other suitable device is awarded, and such additional pay shall continue throughout his active service, whether such service shall or shall not be continuous. No such additional pay shall be payable for periods of service which precede the date of the approval of this Act.

The cost of the bill H. R. 6275, if enacted into law, is estimated at approximately $330 per month.

The Navy Department interposes no objection to enactment of the bill H. R. 6275, provided it is amended as suggested herein.

The Navy Department has been advised by the Bureau of the Budget that there would be no objection to the submission of this report.

Sincerely yours,

FRANK KNOX.

[No. 189]

AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE UNITED STATES NAVY, ADDITIONAL ORDNANCE MANUFACTURING AND PRODUCTION FACILITIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, February 5, 1942.

The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Washington, D. C.

MY DEAR MR. SPEAKER: There is transmitted herewith a draft of a proposed bill authorizing appropriations for the United States Navy, additional ordnance manufacturing and production facilities, and for other purposes.

The purpose of the proposed legislation is to provide authorization for an additional $100,000,000 to be appropriated for tools, equipment, and facilities, at public or private plants, necessary for the production of ordnance material.

The war program has resulted in a greatly expanded demand for ordnance material. Provision has already been made for the expanded facilities, public and private, necessary for carrying out the program to date. It is anticipated, however, that as the war continues still more ordnance material will be required. The authorization sought in the proposed legislation will permit early provision of the additional facilities that will be necessary for the expeditious production of such additional material.

The proposed legislation will also permit provision of protection for those private plants which are engaged in ordnance work.

The Navy Department recommends enactment of the proposed legislation.

The Navy Department has been advised by the Bureau of the Budget that there would be no objection to the submission of this recommendation.

Sincerely yours,

JAMES FORRESTAL, Acting.

66266-42-No. 189

(2289)

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