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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Captain Frank D. Berrien to Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters

Receiving Ship,

New York,

17 Sept., 1918.

Dear Admiral.

     Many thanks for your letters.1 One was delayed about two months somewhere. I had great hopes of remaining in the Destroyer Force, but, as you know, the Bureau is removing all the Captain “T.”2 I am here waiting orders which are to be a transport or “some other command.”3 Perhaps some time in the future I may command a Flotilla.

     When I left the Union Iron Works, San Francisco, the destroyers there had all been delayed about a month beyond the time I gave you recently.4

     Thank you again for your letters. Please remember me to all. I hope I may be “over there” again before long. Best wishes.

Sincerely          

F.D. Berrien. 

Source Note: ALS, DLC-MSS, William S. Sims Papers, Box 49.

Footnote 1: Sims’ letters to Berrien have not been found.

Footnote 2: The Bureau of Navigation, despite protests from Sims, had decided that officers of the rank of captain should not command destroyers; only commanders and below would serve in that capacity. See: Sims to William S. Benson, 28 July 1918.

Footnote 3: Berrien was appointed the naval port officer at Bordeaux, France. Naval Register, 1919: 20.

Footnote 4: See: Berrien to Sims, 27 July 1918.

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