Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947, General; The United Nations, Volume I

123 Herschel V. Johnson

Memorandum by the Secretary of State to President Truman

Washington , July 9, 1947.

The absence during the month of July of Ambassador Warren R. Austin, United States Representative to the United Nations and Chief of Mission of the United States Mission to the United Nations, raises the question of designating a Deputy Chief of Mission to act in his stead during such absences. It is therefore proposed that Ambassador Herschel V. Johnson be designated as Deputy Chief of Mission, in order that he may act as Chief of Mission during the month of July and at such other times as Ambassador Austin may be absent.¹

There is attached a proposed letter² for your signature to Ambassador Johnson, designating him as Deputy Chief of Mission.

This designation is proposed pursuant to Executive Order 9844 establishing the United States Mission to the United Nations and providing for its direction and administration.

I recommend the appointment of Ambassador Johnson as proposed in the attached draft letter.

G. C. Marshall

1. The appointment of Ambassador Johnson as Deputy Chief of the United States Mission to the United Nations was a move to rationalize the organization of the Mission in light of the failure of the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 to set up a position of Deputy United States Representative at the United Nations. (It was not until 1949 that the position of Deputy United States Representative at the United Nations was established by an executive order under the authorization of legislation that amended the Act of 1945.)

   The position of Deputy Chief of Mission created in July 1947 is not to be confused with that of Deputy to the United States Representative at the United Nations; the latter position had been established in March 1947, and John C. Ross held the post at this time.

2. Not printed.