DECLASSHHED Authority a com scirishq 027000 THE SECRETARY NAVY 2835 WASHINGTON June 26 1942 My dear Francis Immediately upon my return to the office yesterday after my talk with you concerning the Johnston case I instigated an inquiry as to how much either the Army or Navy knew of Johnston's record now revealed by the files of the British Intelligence when they cleared his name for service as a correspondence I have just received the following from Admiral Hepburn Mr Johnston's name was submitted for clearance to O N I of the Navy Department and 6 2 of the war Bepartment The investigation by the war Eepartment included an invest- igation by the F B I His name was returned as approved for war correspondent with the United States armed forces Nothing derogatory was reported from any source I learned that the only reason the Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet through his Public Relations Department did not require of Johnston a signed pledge which is now required of corres pendants before going aboard an American combatant vessel was that the directive requiring such a signature had not then been received by the Pacific Fleet Johnston however was informed orally of his response ibilities and furnished with a memorandum for correspondents a copy of which is attached In addition to that Admiral Sherman who commanded the LEXIRGTOE has been queried and has informed us that he personally had spoken to Mr Johnston of his responsibility to submit anything he wrote for publication to the Commanderuin-Chief of the Pacific Fleet or to a representative designated by him I also enclose a memorandum from the Fleet dealing with this case which may be of i value to you Sincerely yours 7 if 4 ofThe Honorable Francis Biddle The Attorney General Washington D C Fransznox A                     National Security Archive    Suite 701  Gelman Library  The George Washington University    2130 H Street  NW  Washington  D C  20037    Phone  202 994‐7000  Fax  202 994‐7005  nsarchiv@gwu edu