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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, to Major General John J. Pershing, Commander, American Expeditionary Forces

May 8th. 1918.

My dear General,

          This is to inform you that I have finally found an officer that I think will be a good man to give you a lift with nautical matters on your staff.

          He is Commander Roger Williams who has been out here a considerable time in successful command of a destroyer doing escort duty.1

          I will first order him down to London and see that he is thoroughly conversant with all of the methods of handling convoys and supply ships, and then send him over to you.

          I am doing this without consulting the Navy Department, and asking them to send a man out to take his place.

Very sincerely yours,             

Source Note: TL, DLC-MSS, William Sims Papers, Box 77. Below the close, the letter is addressed, “General John Pershing. U.S.Navy,/General Headquarters,/American Expeditionary Force./F r a n c e .”

Footnote 1: Williams was the commander of Duncan, which had arrived for duty at Queenstown 15 November 1917.