THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON

		   August 7, 1945.

My dear Captain Foskett,

    There is attached hereto a copy of a letter which I have
just sent to Admiral McCann, in which I expressed my complete
satisfaction with Task Force Sixty Eight - its ships, its officers
and its men, for the excellent job which they have done in trans-
porting the American delegation to and from Europe for the Berlin
Conference.

    I cannot leave the AUGUSTA however, without sending you
this personal note to thank you and your Executive Officer,
Commander C.L. Freeman, U.S.N., and through you, your entire
crew for the delightful voyages which I have enjoyed with the
other members of my party in your ship.

     You are to be congratulated and highly commended for the
excellence of your command.

                                 Sincerely yours,

                                 /s/ Harry S. Truman

Captain James H. Foskett U.S.N.,
Commanding, U.S.S. AUGUSTA

THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON

					 August 7, 1945.

My dear Admiral McCann:

      Under your command, Task Force Sixty Eight as just
completed a most important mission - transporting the American
delegation to the Berlin Conference from Newport News to
Antwerp and from Plymouth on the return trip to the United
States. So far as I can tell, every proper plan was made; very
contingency provided for; and, as a result, , both voyages were
made on schedule with maximum comfort and pleasure as well as
facilities for work afforded the passenger.

      I was in the AUGUSTA - commanded by Captain J.H. Foskett,
U.S.N., and therefore had a better opportunity to observe the
operations of that vessel than I did the PHILADELPHIA. I can
not say too much in praise of Captain Foskett, Commander C.L.
Froeman his Executive Officer, and the officer and enlisted
personnel of the AUGUSTA. It was apparent to everybody on board
that this command was excellent in every respect - discipline,
sanitation, alertness esprit de corp, food and quarters. I
commend highly Captain Foskett and Commander Freeman for the
excellent results which they have obtained in the administration
of their ship.

      A particularly enjoyable feature of the cruise was the
excellent ship's band and orchestra under the leadership of
Chief Musician John H. Fultx, U.S.N. his organization contains
some really fine musicians and their excellent programs showed
the result of hard work and intelligent direction.

      The Marine Guard, under the command of Captain J.E. Skelley,
U.S.M.C., furnished the orderlies for the Presidential party and
by the outstanding performance of these young men I reached the
conclusion that the Marine administration is in thorough keeping
with the other excellent departments of the AUGUSTA.

       By copies of this letter to Captain Foskett, Captain Beller
in the PHILADELPHIA, the Secretary of the Navy, and the Commander
in Chief, United States Fleet, I am expressing to them my personal
appreciation of the part which they have played in making these
voyages a complete success from every angle.

       If in keeping with your policy, I should appreciate you
publishing this letter to all hands in Task Force Sixty Eight and
convey to them my personal greetings and best wishes.

                                       Sincerely yours,

                                       /s/ Harry S. Truman

Rear Admiral A.R. McCann, U.S.N.,
Commander Task Force Sixty Eight,
U.S.S. PHILADELPHIA (Flagship)