THE DEMOBILIZATION OF THE US ARMED FORCES AFTER WWII REACHES PERSONNEL OF ALL RANKS

I am sure you realize the compulsion now upon the War Department to reduce the wartime Army...That this should affect you and other general officers personally is a matter of deep regret, but it is inevitable.

Typed letter signed by General George C. Marshall (1880-1969) as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army to Major General J. B. Brooks (1891-1975), 11th Air Force. Washington, D.C., 25 September 1945. 1p, X x X in. On "War Department / Office of the Chief of Staff" letterhead. Stamped "Secret" at top and bottom of page.

Marshall writes to Brooks regarding the post-war necessity of thinning the ranks of the army: "I am sure you realize the compulsion now upon the War Department to reduce the wartime Army...That this should affect you and other general officers personally is a matter of deep regret, but it is inevitable. The Secretary of War is well aware of your distinguished service not only during this war, but all through the long years of your service.... Nevertheless, as a result of the new organizational situation of the Army, it has regrettably been found necessary to place your name on a list now being prepared for reductions of some, and relief of active duty of other general officers...." Marshall then continues, expressing the appreciation of the Department for the "high quality of your service to the Nation in its time of need."

As Chief of Staff, Marshall organized the largest military expansion in U.S. history, inheriting an outmoded, poorly equipped army of roughly 174,000 men and transforming it into a globally dominant fighting force of over 8.3 million worldwide personnel. Sometimes described as a "genius of logistics," Marshall modernized the army and was a fierce advocate for combat readiness. Alongside Eisenhower, Marshall was instrumental in the planning of the invasion of Normandy. After the war, it fell in part to Marshall to dismantle the powerful war-machine that had led America and the Allies to victory in WWII. Here Marshall writes with warmth and resignation as he notifies Major General John B. Brooks that he would be subject to retirement or reduction.

Brooks began his military career in 1912, and was among the first to fly in the military service. During World War II he commanded the Second Bomber Command, Fort George Wright, Wash., and the Second Group Air Support Command, Colorado Springs. In 1942 he headed the Newfoundland Base Command, and returned to the U.S. in 1944. He was later named senior Air Force member of the Joint Post-War Committee of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, which wrote the Japanese surrender terms. His last command was Task Force 90, headquartered at Adak in the Aleutian chain. From there he led the final raid of the war on the Kurile Islands. His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Service Medal.

Accompanied by a stamp-signed copy of the 25 September Marshall letter, a typed letter signed by Major General Edward F. Witsell outlining Brooks's potential "courses of action" for retirement or reduction, and a 1p autograph letter signed to Brooks from Lt. General Delos C. Emmons (1888-1965). The 18 September [1945] ALS reads, in part: "Dear Johnnie: I have had word that you, among others, will be reduced in grade in near future. Will explain what I know of situation when I visit Adak [Army Airfield] this week. A surprise to me and am sorry it will come so soon. Believe that you will remain here...and become the Alaskan Air Comdr." 

A strong document grouping anchored by a signature of one of WWII's most consequential generals.

[World War II, WWII, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Adolf Hitler, Axis, Allied, George S. Patton, Air Force, Navy, Naval History, War in the Pacific] [Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs]