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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 Captain Joel R. Poinsett Pringle, Chief of Staff, Destroyer Flotillas

SUBJECT COPY.                             FileNo. 31/10/3

CABLEGRAM SENT – May 28, 1918.  TOH

To:       Melvus, Queenstown.

Prep.by.  CS                        NCT

Sigcode                 

1787. A Line Officer rank Lieutenant Commander or Commander is to be sent to France on special temporary duty in company with a Commander Royal Navy to visit American Army Headquarters and possibly British Headquarters for the purpose of quieting some rumors that have been afloat as to lack of good feeling between British and American Forces, and to use their influence to remove some friction that appears to exist between our land forces and the British. Commander Allen Buchanan is available for this duty and will be sent unless you can suggest some other officer in Queenstown forces better fitted for the work. An Officer who has been some time on the station is desired, and one who is thoroughly imbued with the Force Commander’s ideas of hearty cooperation and good fellowship between ourselves and the British. Officer selected should be in London morning of June second at latest, and would leave London following morning for absence of about ten days.1 20428   1787

Sims                     

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. Document identifier in upper right-hand corner in columnar fashion: “1/3/J.”

Footnote 1: For more on this mission and confirmation that Cmdr. Allen Buchanan was sent on it, see: Sims to Pringle, 31 May 1918.

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