Description
FOLLOWING THE CONTROVERSIAL WWII WAR CRIMES TRIALS, GENERAL MAXWELL D TAYLOR SIGNS DOCUMENT WHICH DIRECTS THE JUDGE ADVOCATE OFFFICE, IN BERLIN, TO INITIATE OFFICER INSTRUCTION IN "TRAINING IN MILITARY JUSTICE MATTERS".
General Maxwell Davenport "Max" Taylor (1901-87) Signed Document, "Maxwell D. Taylor", 8 x 6, on Headquarters European Command letterhead, signed as Major General Global Strike Command (GSC), Chief of Staff, 5 July 1949, by the senior United States Army officer and diplomat of the mid-20th century. He served with distinction in World War II, most notably as commander of the 101st Airborne Division, nicknamed "The Screaming Eagles"; served as Superintendent of West Point; commander of allied troops in Berlin following WWII; was U. S. Ambassador to Vietnam during the war; was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; author. This document was signed while he was commander of allied troops in Berlin following WWII. A few months before this document was issued there had been a network of Germans and sympathetic Americans who succeeded in discrediting the various Nazi War Crimes trials. They claimed that interrogators--some of them Jewish emigres--had coerced false confessions. The controversy generated by these accusations led to an American congressional investigation in the United States Senate, Investigations Subcommittee which held hearings in late 1948 that looked into these complaints. The military prosecutors in the Judge Advocate Generals Office were falsely accused of using various deceptions and torture techniques to elicit confessions. The Senate Committee also looked into the chain of command for more scapegoats. The controversy generated by these accusations, leveled just as the United States was anxious to placate it West German ally and ultimately resulted in the early release of many convicted individuals. General Taylor is probably very sensitive to this controversy and is here making sure all his senior officers are well versed in military justice laws and procedures. This interesting historical find is boldly signed by the general and is in fine condition, with minor age toning and tiny chip on lower left corner. Also included is a Maxwell D. Taylor, Secretarially Signed document, dated 20 July 1949, instructing the Berlin Judge Advocate Division regarding staffing during holidays. It is also in fine condition, with minor age toning.
$395 #11695
