Michael J. Mulcahy letter to John L. Barkley - March 9, 1942
Transcript
HEADQUARTERS 721st M.P. Bn., (Z.I.) Fort George G. Meade, Maryland March 9, 1942 MJM/b Mr. John Lewis Barkley, Merriam, Kansas. Dear John: Received your letter just prior to my departure from Fort Sam Houston, Texas, but have been so busy for the past few weeks that I have had no opportunity to acquaint myself with facts which would enable me to give you any advice. In the course of the last few days, however, it has slackened up a little bit and I have been digging around Washington, as well as other places for information. Information has recently reached me that World War Veterans may now be commissioned as officers in the Corps of Military Police. With your record as a Medal of Honor Man and Reserve Officer I am quite certain it will be possible for you to secure a commission. I suggest that you go to the nearest recruiting office and submit an application for a commission. You may use my name as an indorsee if you so desire and I suggest that you also list the names of Major General Beaumont B. Buck, USA, Retired, who still resides at San Antonio, and a letter mailed to him at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Officers' Club, will be forwarded to him. Also to Major General Dorey, USA, Retired, who now resides at New Braunfels, Texas, a letter mailed to him there or through the Officers' Club, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, will reach him. I am inclosing herewith a letter of recommendation for what it may be worth. I hope in the course of the next few days to be able to write you a personal letter, but just at the present am rather pressed for time. Your sincere friend, [signature] MICHAEL J. MULCAHY Lt. Col. 721st MP Bn. (ZI) Commanding Inclosure
Transcript
HEADQUARTERS 721st M.P., (Z.I.) Fort George G. Meade, Maryland March 9, 1942 MJM/b To Whom It May Concern: I certify that I have known Mr. John Lewis Barkley of Merriam, Kansas, for a period of many years. Mr. Barkley has a most distinguished World War Record. He was cited on numerous occasions for valorous actions during the last war. He was decorated on several occasions and among these decorations was the Medal of Honor. This decoration was awarded him for his action near Cunel, France, during the Meuse Argonne operation where he mounted a German light machine gun in a wrecked French tank and single handedly broke up two enemy counter-attacks, inflicting casualties estimated at over four hundred on the enemy. This action came at a very critical time and was probably the principal reason that the depleted Fourth and Seventh Infantries were not only enabled to hold their positions but to actually gain ground. While this act may be classified as his masterpiece, it does not represent the only time he distinguished himself. He was cited on several other occasions for actions of a like nature. If Mr. Barkley should be commissioned, I should be delighted to have him serve under my command. [signature] MICHAEL J. MULCAHY Lt. Col., 721st MP Bn. (ZI) Commanding
Details
| Title | Michael J. Mulcahy letter to John L. Barkley - March 9, 1942 |
| Creator | Mulcahy, Michael J. |
| Source | Mulcahy, Michael J. Letter to John L. Barkley. 9 March 1942. John Lewis Barkley Collection, 1918-1976. 1996.19. The National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri. |
| Description | In this letter dated March 9, 1942, Michael J. Mulcahy wrote John L. Barkley concerning a visit to the local recruiting office and submission of an application for a commission. Mulcahy enclosed a letter of recommendation for further assistance. |
| Subject LCSH | United States. Army. Infantry Regiment, 4th; United States. Army. Division, 3rd; Military commissions |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Site Accession Number | 1996.19 |
| Contributing Institution | National World War I Museum and Memorial |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the National World War I Museum and Memorial: (816) 888-8100. |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. |
| Date Original | March 9, 1942 |
| Language | English |