"As a mark of recognition of the character of the work performed by Mr. Davis in a time of unusual strain ind emergency, and as an incent~ re to his colleagues of: the Foreign Service to put forth always their best efforts in behalf of the protection of Americans and American interests abroad, I heartily concur in the recommendation of the Foreign Service Personnel Board that Mr. Davis be promoted one class for guished Service, "I have conveyed to Consul Davis the thanks and commendation of the Department for his devotion to duty, efficiency and courage at Nanking as Minister MacMurray has suggested. At the same time, I feel strongly that Mr. Davis is not only deserving of commendation from you but that your action in commending him for his accomplishment would be recorded with pride in the annals of the Foreign Service and contribute in large measure to strength. ening the morale of our officers throughout the world,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.