DS, one page, 8 x 10.5, War Department, Office of the Chief of Staff letterhead, August 2, 1935. A “Memorandum for the Quartermaster General,” which reads: “In due course of time orders will issue directing the following named officers to proceed to Manila, Philippine Islands, for station and duty:
General Douglas MacArthur.
Major Dwight D. Eisenhower, Infantry,
Major James B. Ord, Infantry,
Major Howard J. Hutter, Medical Corps.
Captain Thomas J. Davis, A. G. D.
For the present it is not desired to make these orders public. In order, however, to enable these officers to proceed to pack their household goods and ship them on the transport leaving New York on or about September 17th, 1935, you are authorized to proceed with the necessary packing and shipping on the basis of the orders which will be issued later.” In very good to fine condition, with scattered small stains and staple holes.
In 1935, MacArthur was invited to return to Manila by his old friend Quezon, President of the newly created Philippine Commonwealth, to serve as head of a U.S. military mission charged with preparing the islands for full independence in 1946. Dwight D. Eisenhower would serve four long years in the Philippines under General MacArthur, accepting the position with some reluctance but content with the knowledge that his old and dear friend, James ‘Jimmy’ Ord, was going along and they would work together. In addition to his duties as assistant military advisor to the Philippine government, Ike continued to write MacArthur’s speeches, letters, and reports. Because MacArthur thought it beneath him to meet with President Quezon on a regular basis, Ike became an important liaison to the Philippine leader. Nearly nine months after his arrival on July 1, 1936, Major Eisenhower was automatically promoted — as was the rest of the class of 1915 — to lieutenant colonel.
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