The news on September 13, 1950 was full of reports on how the Korean War was proceeding, how it was being taken at home and arguing if War production should start up again. There was also news about the appointment of former Secretary of State General George C. Marshall to be Secretary of Defense, a position previously held only by a civilian. Edward R. Murrow did an extensive background on Marshall and his assessment came something like this:
Edward R. Murrow: “As a country, we’re committed to the proposition that the control of military affairs shall rest in civilian hands. And that is a proposition to which most of us have subscribed. It is now clear that we are about the make an exception to that. The two key figures in our defense establishment will be Five star Generals Marshall and (Omar)Bradley. Both can work with the State Department and the Department with them. I think it is possible that historians will decide that they were both a little more than life size.”
Just another September day in history.
