Recruiting the AVG
A tip of the virtual hat to Alan Armstrong, who forwarded these memos from the U.S. Navy files. "Inter-Continent" was the Pawley family holding company; it often served as a front for Central Aircraft Manufacturing Company (CAMCO) which was owned in large part by the Chinese. I have highlighted a phrase that suggests that Secretary Knox, at least, intended the AVGs to return to U.S. service eventually.Procurement of Personnel for China
Office of the Secretary
Washington
CONFIDENTIAL February 1, 1941
SUBJECT: Procurement of Personnel for China
1. Mr. Pawley and Colonel Chennault called today and informed me that an agreement had been reached between Curtiss, Inter-Continent and the Chinese for the servicing of 100 P-40's for China. It is also agreed that Inter-Continent will handle the procurement of American personnel.
2. Personnel requirements are:
100 pilots
150 enlisted ground crew.
They emphasized the need for experienced personnel and the only feasible solution appears to be Reserve officers and enlisted men. They are ready to send [their?] people, Pawley, Leighton and Chennault, at once to the Air Stations, both Army and Navy, to find volunteers. They realize the necessity for keeping things quiet and will take due precautions.
3. The followign will be required:
(a) Approval by War and Navy Departments of resignations of Reserve personnel without detriment to their future status in the service, in order to accept employment with the Central Aircraft Corporation.
Note: BuNav is ready to do this, but it will have to be taken up with the Army, and I understand that General Arnold has not yet been informed by Secretary Stimson. I suggest that you personally take this up with Secretary Stimson, and also with Admiral Towers, who is not very enthusiastic about the idea, I believe.
(b) Deferment of draft through Mr. [illegible], inasmuch as these people will all be subject to draft as soon as released from Reserve status.
(c) Passports to be cleared by State Department, the applicants requesting passports to China for employment with Central Aircraft Corporation.
Note: I have taken this up with the State Department and they are willing to issue the passports to individuals as bona fide employees of Central Aircraft.
(d) Pawley, Leighton and Chennault should have letters from someone in the War and Navy Departments, either the Secretarys or Chiefs of Personnel, authorizing them to visit the various Air Stations.
(e) It was pointed out to me that this considerable organization would hardly be worth sounding out and estabishing unless there were an excellent prospect for further rlease of planes to carry on the work. They will have to start more or less from scratch in [illegible] and work their way in against probable opposition.
Introducing the recruiters
MEMORANDUM FOR Command Officer, Naval Air Station, Jacksonville
1. This letter introduces Mr. C. L. Chennault, who has the permission of the Navy Department to visit your station.
2. He will explain the purpose of his visit.
FRANK K. BEATTY
Captain, U.S. Navy
Aide to the Secretary
[Identical letters went to the Navy Air Stations at Opa Locka and Pensacola, Norfolk, and San Diego. Capt. Beatty used the same phrasing in letters introducing Rutledge Irvine of CAMCO to the air stations at Norfolk, Pensacola, Opa Locka, and Jacksonville, and Corpus Christi, and to the Marine Barracks at Quantico. Perhaps because of resistance to these early visits, he was more emphatic when it came to Pearl Harbor:]
MEMORANDUM FOR Captain James M. Shoemaker, USN, Commanding Officer, U.S. Naval Air Station, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
1. This letter introduces Lt. C. B. Adair, who has the permission of the Navy Department to visit your station. He will explain the purpose of his visit.
2. It has been the policy of our Government for some time to facilitate the hiring by the Chinese Government of pilots and mechanics from our Services. The above-mentioned officer is a representative of the Intercontinent Company, which company is doing the hiring for the Chinese Government. The cooperation of the Commanding Officer is requested in permitting this representativde to interview pilots on your Station, to see if they are interested in being hired by the Intercontinent Company for service in China.
FRANK K. BEATTY
Captain, U.S. Navy
Aide to the Secretary
(By direction)
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