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Press Conference, 17 May 49 (Cont'd)

Col. D.:  And they have got to go into the whole procedure of writing a letter requesting transfer.

Maj. M.:  Also, if the Air Force can't find a slot for them, they will make them available to the Army, if the Army has a need for them.

Mr. R.:  Do you know about your reassignment?

Col. D.:  I am going to the Air War College at Maxwell in early August.

Mr. M.:  For how long a time, sir?

Col. D.:  A year - 11 months.

Maj. McD.:  I might state that is the highest Air Force service school, too.

Mr. M.: This Board, under the President's directive, and also Mr. Johnson's, it isn't the intent of the War Department, or the President, to waste a man who has been in the air arm a long time and throw him in with ground troops?

Col. D.:  Practically all of the people here who are presently in the Air Force will still be in the Air Force.

Mr. C.:  Will integration in the Air Corps mean some of the officers will be demoted in rank?

Col. D.:  Definitely not. The regulations on holding of rank by officers are very rigid. I don't see how in the world that could be possible. In fact, I would say freely, I would stake my word that it wouldn't happen. Same thing for airmen, too.

Mr. M.:  You mean enlisted men who have got stripes won't drop down a grade or two?

Col. D.:  Definitely.

Mr. R.:  At one o'clock the Board starts working your men, giving those two tests?

Col. D.:  Officers are not being given the tests Maj. McDaniels has.

Mr. R.:  Personal interviews for officers?

Col. D.:  Personal interviews for officers and wherever Maj. McDaniels is not able to come out and say a man should be assigned such and such a job in the Air Force, we will interview every enlisted man he entertains some question on.

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