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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Admiral William S. Benson, Chief of Naval Operations, to Captain William D. MacDougall, United States Naval Attaché at London

 

          Cablegram Received      August 31 1917

Origin Opnav Washington                 Serial No. nav.At. 383

Via  Sigcode                                         Date No.

Copies to C. of S. J.V.B. Nav. Att. E.G.B.1File No.

Action referred to:

NAV. ATT.

E.G.B.

     From : Chief of Naval Operations

To   : Naval Attache, London.

N.A. 353. You are ordered as Intelligence Officer on staff of Vice-Admiral Sims in addition to present duties2 period Naval Attache Paris, France, Rome, Italy, Spain, St.Petersburg, Russia, Norway,3 have been instructed to communicate direct to Vice Admiral Sims through you in order to furnish him promptly with all important information and to cooperate to give every possible assistance in collection and coordination and of information period Lieutenant McCormick,4 Intelligence Officer at the Hague has been similarly instructed period

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13030.

Daniels Secretary Navy

     (NOTE)

Part of this cable refers to ciphers etc., and is is in the possession of the Communication Officer.5

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG45, Entry 517B.

Footnote 1: Capt. Nathan C. Twining, Chief of Staff for VAdm. William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operation in European Waters, Comdr. John V. Babcock, Sims' aide, and Lt. Edward G. Blakeslee, the head of Sims' Communications Section, respectively. The latter two were both Sims’ aides.

Footnote 3: Lt. Cmdr. William R. Sayles, Capt. Charles A. Train, Capt. Benton C. Decker, Capt. Newton A. McCully, and Lt. Horace U. Gade, respectively.

Footnote 4: Lt. Eugene D. McCormick.

Footnote 5: A handwritten note at the bottom from MacDougall acknowledges receipt of the order and that he reported to Sims for duty immediately thereafter.

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