Description:

Franklin Roosevelt
Washington, DC, April 30, 1919
Franklin D. Roosevelt Orders Chaplain to Duty in Dominican Republic
TLS
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT, Typed Letter Signed, to William W. Elder, April 30, 1919, Washington, DC. 2 pp., 8" x 10.375". Circular holes at top for binding; general toning; small edge tears.

As Acting Secretary of the Navy, Franklin D. Roosevelt issues orders to Chaplain William W. Elder to report for duty with the 2nd Provisional Marine Brigade in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. William W. Elder (1885-1964) graduated from Elon College and the University of Pennsylvania and joined the Navy as a chaplain in 1905. He later saw service aboard the USS Arizona and the USS Texas and served as chaplain of the Pensacola Naval Base and in 1941 as chaplain of the Atlantic Fleet. After a 31-year career with the Navy, he retired in 1946 as the Navy's fourth-ranking chaplain.

Excerpt
"You are hereby detached from duty on board the Receiving Ship at Norfolk; will proceed to Charleston, S.C., and report to the commandant, Sixth Naval District, for temporary duty pending transportation to Santo Domingo, D.R."

Historical Background
President Woodrow Wilson appointed Franklin D. Roosevelt as Assistant Secretary of the Navy in March 1913, and he served in that position throughout World War I to August 1920. During his tenure, he instituted a merit-based promotion system and extended civilian control over the various departments of the Navy. After the United States entered World War I in April 1917, Roosevelt oversaw the naval deployment, as the Navy expanded to four times its prewar size. Less than two years later, Germany signed an armistice in November 1919, and Roosevelt coordinated the demobilization of the Navy, though he preserved the Navy's Aviation Division, against the advice of older officers.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8" x 10.375"
  • Medium: TLS

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