DS as president, one page, 7.25 x 8.75, January 2, 1952. Issued from the White House, a typed “Citation to Accompany the Award of the Medal of Merit to Basil O’Connor,” which reads, in full: “BASIL O'CONNOR, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the United States as Chairman of the Central Committee, and as President, American National Red Cross, from November 16, 1944 to October 1, 1949. Under Mr. O'Connor's enlightened leadership the Congress enacted legislation which brought the organization closer to the heart of the American people by enlarging the base of operations and securing active participation by hosts of new volunteer workers. Due to his intensive devotion to a policy of humanitarianism of the highest order, the American National Red Cross during his tenure developed a program of unprecedented proportions in meeting new and additional needs in the field of human welfare; at the same time carrying out all its normal activities and supplementing most effectively the morale-building programs of the armed services. Mr. O'Connor's comprehensive grasp of the difficult problems confronting the Army, Navy and Air Force in the maintenance of a high state of morale at all times in personnel at home and abroad, and his indefatigable endeavors to aid in the solution of these problems, were of inestimable value to the successful operation of the American National Red Cross during that period.” Cloth-matted and framed with an engraved plaque and a portrait of President Truman to an overall size of 21.25 x 18.5. In fine condition.
A significant document presented to Basil O'Connor, an influential figure and philanthropist who, with Franklin D. Roosevelt, started two foundations for polio research and treatment: the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation and the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, which is now known as the March of Dimes. President Roosevelt later appointed O'Connor to the American Red Cross, of which he served as chairman (1944–47) and president (1947–49). In this capacity, he also chaired the League of Red Cross Societies from 1945 to 1950. O'Connor declined payment for his leadership of the Red Cross. ‘For 20 years I have gladly given over a large part of my time to charitable work, particularly to the fight against infantile paralysis sponsored by President Roosevelt…I have never accepted or received any compensation for that work. It therefore goes without saying that I shall accept no salary as chairman of the American National Red Cross.’
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