Extremely rare Medal for Merit with two accompanying signed documents. One, an engraved DS, signed as president, one page, 12 x 9.75, dated July 18, 1946, presenting Frank L. McNamee the Medal for Merit. In part: “This is to Certify that the President of the United States of America in accordance with the Order issued by General George Washington at Headquarters, Newburgh, New York, on August 7, 1782, and pursuant to Act of Congress, has awarded the Medal For Merit to Frank L. McNamee for extraordinary fidelity and exceptionally Meritorious Conduct.”
The other, a DS, signed as president, one page, 8 x 10, to accompany McNamee’s award of the Medal for Merit. In full: “Frank L. McNamee, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the United States as an official of the War Manpower Commission from July 1, 1943 to October 15, 1945. Mr. McNamee, as Manpower Director of one of the most critical industrial areas in the country, consisting of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, initiated many new programs that were later adopted as national policy…He instituted a weekly survey of labor market conditions in the country, which carried through the trying period of demobilization of workers from war plants; he developed a fine working relationship with other war agencies concerned with manpower mobilization and worked closely with the National Management–Labor Committee, and was able to bring the War Manpower Commission safely through to the completion of its wartime job, never deviating from its original course of mobilizing manpower for the greatest labor army ever amassed without a recourse to force.”
Also included is the Medal for Merit presented to McNamee, 4″ long, with its purple ribbon and pin, a gold eagle with its wings outstretched within a blue circle of stars, and a Latin quote at the bottom. In very good condition, with moderate toning to both documents from previous display, as well as some dampstaining to document. The medal is in fine condition. Established by Executive Order by President Roosevelt in 1942, the War Manpower Commission’s purpose was to regulate the most efficient use of labor during World War II. It was within this Commission that Frank McNamee earned his Medal for Merit which, during the period it was awarded (1942-1952), was the highest civilian decoration in the United States. This prestigious and rare medal—awarded personally by the president to only 238 people—complete with the citations and presidential signed documentation, seldom appears at auction. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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