<--PREV Doc #6  |  Memorial Commission Home Page  |  First Term Table of Contents  |  Presidential Papers Home Page  |  Doc#  |  NEXT--> Doc #8 Document #7; January 24, 1953 To Mark Wayne Clark Series: EM, AWF, Administration Series The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, Volume XIV - The Presidency: The Middle Way Part I: Charting a New Course; January 1953 to April 1953 Chapter 1: Developing a spirit of teamwork   Dear Wayne:1 Thank you very much for your fine letter.2 I am, of course, vitally interested in the ammunition question. From your paper I conclude that you feel fairly well satisfied on this question in all categories except the 155mm howitzer and the two infantry mortars. I have given the statement on the ammunition situation to Charlie Wilson, on a personal basis.3 I cannot tell you how appreciative I am of the concern you have shown in John's welfare and in his special situation.4 Of course he wants the opportunity to earn his own way just like any other young officer. Having a dad in my position is a great trial to him--this in spite of any secret filial pride, which I hope he has. In any event, I think you have taken every possible precaution against capture--which is the only contingency that gave you and me any great concern. Like all our other boys of the nation, he must, of course, take his own chances as a soldier as far as casualty is concerned. But his capture would be something else again--and the measures you have taken will certainly insure against that. My affectionate regard to Renie,5 and again my thanks to you for remembering to give me such a full report on these matters. Cordially 1 General Clark commanded U.N. forces in Korea and headed the U.S. Far East Command; for background see Galambos, NATO and the Campaign of 1952, nos. 61 and 1019. 2 Marked "personal" and dated January 19, Clark's letter (AWF/A) responded to a message Eisenhower had sent on December 29. Clark, who enclosed a report on the Far East "ammunition situation," complained that shortages of 155mm howitzer and light mortar ammunition had "continually plagued" U.N. forces. He admitted that during December 1952 U.N. troops had fired about ten times as much artillery and mortar ordnance as they received from the enemy. He explained that fire superiority minimized friendly casualties (see Galambos, NATO and the Campaign of 1952, no. 1019, n. 3). 3 Eisenhower's Secretary of Defense-designate and the former chief executive officer of General Motors, Charles Erwin Wilson (for background see ibid., nos. 995 and 1019). 4 See ibid., no. 1019. 5 Clark's wife, the former Maurine Doran. Bibliographic reference to this document: Eisenhower, Dwight D. To Mark Wayne Clark, 24 January 1953. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, ed. L. Galambos and D. van Ee, doc. 7. World Wide Web facsimile by The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission of the print edition; Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996, http://www.eisenhowermemorial.org/presidential-papers/first-term/documents/7.cfm <--PREV Doc #6  |  Memorial Commission Home Page  |  First Term Table of Contents  |  Presidential Papers Home Page  |  Doc#  |  NEXT--> Doc #8

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