TLS, one page, 8 x 10.5, Far East Command letterhead, March 31, 1950. Letter to Fred G. Raabe, in part: "The Far East Command is doing everything possible to approximate, in Japan and other areas of the Far East, the living and working conditions of the United States. Of course, there are occasions when this is not possible. The charges and insinuations made by Mr. Zinn are without foundation. The hospital and sick in quarters rate in the Far East Command, for all causes, is less than two per cent of the command and has not exceeded 2.5 per cent in the last three years. Recent figures indicate that only approximately one case out of every one hundred of those in the hospital or sick in quarters in Japan is a venereal disease patient. Out of every 5,000 troops, less than one individual is absent from duty due to venereal disease. This rate is continuously decreasing.
No penalty is imposed on military personnel who contract venereal disease. Only those who fail to report the contraction of a venereal disease are subject to disciplinary action. Adequate medical facilities are conveniently located for occupation personnel. Commanders at all echelons are fully aware of the venereal disease hazards existing in these oriental areas and are constantly on the alert to counteract their effects.
All known houses of prostitution have been placed off-limits by occupation authorities and are checked by frequent military police patrols. Troop barracks in Japan are generally adequately heated and comfortable, comparing favorably with group living conditions in the United States. The Army 1949 Far East Command reenlistment rate—45 per cent of those eligible for reenlistment with a rate of 63 per cent during the last three months of that year—speaks for itself as regards the high state of morale within this command." In fine condition, with areas of light soiling. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope and a full letter of authenticity from PSA/DNA.
