furnish the Senate a report. Of course, I said I would do that to the full subcommittee, and will, of course, take that up with them. soon. As chairman of the subcommittee, it is my responsibility to follow through on this and I will do it as rapidly as I can. I can say now, however, that action has already been taken to insure that in the future all staff actions will be properly controlled and supervised so that the lines of responsibility will run as they properly should; that is, to me through the chief counsel. There will be no recurrence of these incidents. In this connection, the use of the questionnaire given military personnel at Henderson Hall and Andrews Air Force Base has been discontinued. STENNIS-SHOUP CONFERENCE I wish to add that this week I have had a full and cordial conference with Gen. David M. Shoup, Commandant of the Marine Corps. I am gratifield to be able to say that this discussion was most rewarding. Today we continue our hearings in the censorship or policy review area. Senator SALTONSTALL. Will the Senator yield? Senator STENNIS. I will be glad to yield to the Senator from Massachusetts. USE OF QUESTIONNAIRE UNAUTHORIZED Senator SALTONSTALL. In this connection, you said that the use of the questionnaire given military personnel at Henderson Hall and Andrews Air Force Base has been discontinued. My question is that this questionnaire was never authorized by the chairman or by the chief counsel. Am I correct? Senator STENNIS. The Senator is correct. That questionnaire was never authorized by the chief counsel or by the chairman, and, in fact, its contents were not known in any way. I think it is a fair comment to say that the gentlemen involved there were not experienced staff members in this kind of work, from the standpoint of investigating committees or subcommittees. There was lack of experience, but there was a combination of great zeal and special interest in the work. I have found no evidence whatsoever of any ulterior motives or any desire to entrap. REPORT ON STENNIS-SHOUP CONFERENCE The chairman's conference with General Shoup was very interesting, very rewarding and very agreeable, and the general was indeed reasonable on some of the points that were involved in the beginning, such as the legislative liaison being the proper channel to approach this matter, and he agreed heartily with that. He did not object to some sampling of the effect of their teaching program and all, but he objected to some of the methods used and the circumstances in which these questionnaires were presented. And he objected to the questionnaire itself as being too advanced and too forward. Frankly, I readily agreed that the questionnaire was too involved and too forward for that use. INVESTIGATION OF QUESTIONNAIRE INCIDENT But let me emphasize to all members of the subcommittee that all the facts are being developed and will be given to the full committee, for it to pass upon, and then something in the nature of a report will be made about it. Senator Symington, there is a copy before you there of an added statement that President Eisenhower submitted in response to my letter. Senator THURMOND. Mr. Chairman? Senator STENNIS. Senator Thurmond. DISAPPEARANCE OF INVESTIGATOR'S LETTER Senator THURMOND. If there is going to be any report made to the Senate about the Marine matter, I would also request the chairman to investigate the matter of the letter that was taken out of the bag of the investigator when he was in the Marine headquarters, so the chairman can make a report on that at the same time. Senator STENNIS. Thank you, Senator. Thank you very much. The Chair used the word "report" not meaning a formal report but something by way of summary on the points that were involved. And just as soon as it can all be collected, certainly we will carry out that mission. General Decker, we are delighted to have you here. We scheduled you once before, but you were engaged in testifying over at the House, and I believe that that day we were delayed some way and then you could not get here. We value the way you are filling your position. I remember when you came before the Senate Armed Services Committee to be confirmed, and I recall your very fine record up until then. In the chairman's opinion your appointment to this responsible position is certainly justified. DECKER BIOGRAPHY I have here the biography of General Decker, members of the subcommittee, that I wish to put in the record at this point. (The biography of General Decker follows:) GEN. GEORGE HENRY DECKER George H. Decker was born in Catskill, N.Y., February 16, 1902. He graduated from Lafayette College, Pa., with a Bachelor of Science Degree (Economics) in 1924. His military career began June 15, 1924, when he was commissioned a second lieutenant of infantry in the Regular Army. His first assignment was at Plattsburgh Barracks, N.Y., with the 26th Infantry. In April 1928, he was transferred to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, for duty with the 35th Infantry. He returned to the United States in September 1931, to officer' course of the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Ga. remained at Fort Benning for duty with the 29th Infantry. attend the company Upon graduation, he In June 1935 he was transferred to Vancouver Barracks, Wash., where he commanded Company C, 7th Infantry. In August 1936, General Decker was selected for attendance at the Command and General Staff School, Fort Leavenworth, Kans., and upon graduation served with the 10th Infantry at Fort Thomas, Ky., and Fort McClellan, Ala. In September 1940 he joined the 9th Infantry Division at Fort Bragg, N.C., and in December established Headquarters Company, I Corps, serving as its first commanding officer at Fort Jackson, S.C. He later was designated assistant supply and logistics officer of I Corps. In December 1941 he was detailed to the War Department General Staff in Washington, D.C., with duty in the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-4. Following the outbreak of World War II, General Decker was transferred to Fort Sam Houston, Tex., for duty with the Third Army as Deputy Chief of Staff in August 1942. In February 1943 he was ordered to the Southwest Pacific area to become Deputy Chief of Staff of 6th Army. In May 1944 he became Chief of Staff of 6th Army and served in this capacity throughout the New Guinea campaign, the operations to recapture Leyte, Mindoro and Luzon in the Philippine Islands, and during the early phases of the occupation of Japan. Upon inactivation of 6th Army in January 1946 General Decker returned to Washington, D.C., for assignment to Headquarters, Army Ground Forces, and 2 months later was transferred to Army Service Forces Headquarters. In July 1946 he was appointed Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of U.S. Army Forces, Middle Pacific, with station in Hawaii. In June 1948 he returned once again to the United States to assume command of the 5th Infantry Division at Fort Jackson, S.C. In March 1950 he was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Staff of the Army for duty with the Office of the Comptroller of the Army, and the following month was designated Chief of the Budget Division. General Decker was named Comptroller of the Army in May 1952. After almost 3 years as Comptroller of the Army, he assumed command of 7th Corps, stationed at Stuttgart, Germany, in February 1955. On June 1, 1956, he was selected to become Deputy Commander-in-Chief, U.S. European Command, stationed at Camp des Loges, near Paris, France, and on July 1, 1959, he became commander in chief, United Nations Command/commander, U.S. Forces, Korea/ Commanding General, 8th U.S. Army. General Decker's next assignment, on August 1, 1959, was as Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, in which capacity he served until September 30, 1960. He assumed his present duty as Chief of Staff, U.S. Army on October 1, 1960. PERSONAL DATA Born: February 16, 1902, Catskill, N.Y. Father: Gordon H. Decker (deceased). Mother: Mary Napier (deceased). Married Helen E. Inman, June 2, 1926, at Plattsburgh, N.Y. Children: James I. (employed by General Electric Co., Schenectady, N.Y.) (Married Carol Van Wely). Grandchildren: Kevin Richard, Kimberly Jaye, Jane E. (married Capt. Allan J. Francisco, U.S. Army). Grandchildren: James, John, Jeffrey. Official Address: c/o The Adjutant General, Department of the Army, Washington 25, D.C. Lafayette College, 1924 (B.S.). EDUCATION The Infantry School (company officers' course), 1932. National War College (equivalent). 26th Infantry, Plattsburgh Barracks, N.Y. 35th Infantry, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. The Infantry School, Fort Benning, Ga.. 29th Infantry, Fort Benning, Ga. 7th Infantry, Vancouver Barracks, Wash.. Command and General Staff School, Fort Leavenworth, Kans. 10th Infantry, Fort Thomas, Ky., and Fort McClellan, Ala. 9th Infantry Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. Headquarters Company, I Corps, Fort Jackson, S.C. Assistant Supply and Logistics Officer, I Corps Fort Jackson, S.C.. Office, Assistant Chief of Staff for Supply, War Department, Washington, D.C. Deputy Chief of Staff, 3d Army, Fort Sam Houston, Tex.. Headquarters, Army Ground Forces, Fort McNair, D.C. Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Forces, Middle Commanding General, 5th Infantry Division, Fort Jackson, S.C... Chief, Budget Division, Office, Comptroller of the Army, Washing- Comptroller of the Army, Washington, D.C.. Commander in Chief, United Nations Command; Commander, Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, Washington, D.C.. LIST OF CITATIONS AND DECORATIONS Distinguished Service Medal; Silver Star; Legion of Merit; and Bronze Star Medal (Meritorious). Service medals American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; Army Occupation Medal (Germany) (Japan); National Defense Service Medal; Philippine Presidential Unit Citation; Philippine Liberation Medal, two Bronze Stars; Philippine Distinguished Service Star; and Meritorious Unit Emblem. Badges General Staff Identification Badge. PERSONAL BACKGROUND MATERIAL Interests and hobbies General Decker is keenly interested in sports as a morale and health builder, and enjoys golf as his favorite. He is also very active in bowling and enjoys hunting, chess, and stamp collecting. Civic activities Phi Gamma Delta; Masons; and B.P.O.E. (Elks) (former member). Religion Protestant (Episcopalian). GENERAL DECKER BEGAN ARMY CAREER IN ROTC Senator STENNIS. If I may, I would like to refer to one fact on this record which is somewhat unusual and proves the outstanding qualities of General Decker. He came in the Army, through the ROTC program and received his commission first in the Reserve, based on that ROTC training. Is that correct, General? General DECKER. That is correct, sir. Senator STENNIS. Well, that is a happy fact to be reminded of. Unless some member of the subcommittee has a question first, General, we always, by custom, ask our witnesses to be sworn. Will you stand, please. Do you solemnly swear that your testimony before this subcommittee will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you, God? General DECKER. I do. Senator STENNIS. Have a seat. All right, proceed with your statement, please. TESTIMONY OF GEN. GEORGE H. DECKER, CHIEF OF STAFF, U.S. ARMY DECKER STATEMENT General DECKER. Mr. Chairman, gentlemen, I am pleased to appear before this committee to express my personal views on the important matters you have under study. I shall limit my remarks to some observations concerning governmental review of the public statements made by military officers, and concerning the orientation of all military personnel. I shall be very brief. As this committee well knows, the Communist threat which is the focus of your study is not a simple threat. Nor is the world situation created by this threat a simple one. The Communist challenge to our national security and our whole way of life is complex and insidiouscovert as well as overt. Its military, political, economic, and ideological aspects are deeply entwined, and often indistinguishable. The resultant situation all over the world is one in which our own efforts |