A year ago today I welcomed the inauguration of this radio service and expressed the hope that it would serve the fighting men and women of this theater well. Since that time, the microphones of these stations have recorded the important events marking our march to ultimate victory.

We have come a long way. It hasn’t been easy going - none of it. The training, the waiting, the landing in Africa, the Tunisian campaign, Sicily, Italy - all this has meant days of working, marching, fighting. In the airfields, ports, and battle areas of all these places I have had the opportunity to meet and talk to some of you. Those men know, as I hope all of you know, how appreciative I am of your efforts and how proud I am to have you in this Command. Likewise I am proud of the unique success that British and American forces of all three services have attained here in molding themselves into the powerful unit that is now operating on the Italian front.

In other theaters we have watched during the past year our Russian allies drive the enemy back, almost to his own frontiers. We have watched our forces in the Pacific gain new outposts from which to strike at the heart of Japan. Our French allies have taken Corsica and a rejuvenated Chinese army is on the march. Altogether it has been a year of success and of hope for the future.

I have just returned from a conference with our Commander-in-Chief, the President of the United States. Concerning that conference I can tell you only that your part in the big job that lies ahead is a vital one; one that will require even greater achievements from all of us.

We have been together a long time. Living together, working together. It is impossible for each of us to meet all the others that are serving on this great fighting team. But if these radio stations, by bringing us news and entertainment, have created a stronger bond between us, then they have accomplished their mission. I wish both you and them continued success. Good luck!

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER