December 5th, 1917.

Hon. Newton D. Baker,
Secretary of War,
Washington, D.C.

My dear Mr. Baker:-

I am making a departure from the rule of this office in writing a personal word in behalf of J. Walter Lambeth, Jr., of Thomasville, N.C. My apology for this departure will be found in the exceptional facts stated below.

Young Lambeth took his A.B. degree at Trinity College, N.C., in 1916, graduating at the head of his class. He at once went to Harvard where he took a post graduate course in Economics. While at Harvard he had four months military training, and made application for admission to the first Officers Reserve Training Corps at Ft. Oglethorpe. He stood a fine examination both physical and mental, but on account of the surplusage of applications he was not admitted.

He then made application for admission to the second Officers Training Camp at Oglethorpe, and went down there and spent several days. He was found to be well qualified, but inasmuch as he was not twenty-one until the 8th of January, 1917, he was not admitted. You will, of course, see that he will be 22 the 8th of next January.

He is well developed for his age, six feet tall and weights 170 pounds.

The father of this young man manufactures furniture, and in the beginning was not very interested in the war. The son has been profoundly interested from the beginning. I happen to know that the father offered the son a large block of stock in his furniture company if he would come home and take a position with the company, but the boy with a single mindedness that amounts to consecretion has steadily avowed his purpose to fight in this war. The enthusiasm of the boy has converted the father to the everlasting righteousness of this war.

I am aware of the general rule that confines admissions to the next Officers Training School to men now in the service, but if you possibly can do so I hope that you will waive this rule with respect to this particular young man and allow him to be admitted. I know he will make good.

With much respect, I beg to remain,

Very truly yours,

[Gov. Bickett]

B_G