USS Texas (BB 35) & USS Macon [Cover]
Cachet designed by Eric Tauer
From the Franklin D. Roosevelt Collection
Name/Title
USS Texas (BB 35) & USS Macon [Cover]Description
Cover with cachet of President Roosevelt with crossed American flags behind him, printed "PRESIDENT / FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT / Reviews United State Navy Fleet / New York Harbor / May 31st, 1934" above him, and "U.S.S. MACON / MANEUVERS WITH FLEET" to his left and right respectively. Postmarked "U.S.S. TEXAS / A.M. / MAY / 31 / 1934" with "FLEET PASSING / IN REVIEW" in killers and a silhouette of the USS MACON. Signed by "E.O. Tauer U.S.N" in green on the left. Addressed to the "Hon. Franklin D. Roosevelt. / Washington, D.C." Reverse has two-line red stamp “FROM THE FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT COLLECTION / AUTHENTICATED BY H.R. HARMER INC, N.Y.”Context
In 1934, two two-seat Waco UBF XJW-1 biplanes equipped with skyhooks were delivered to USS Macon. In June 1934, Lieutenant Commander Herbert V. Wiley took command of the airship, and planned a high-profile demonstration of the ability of the Macon to successfully locate enemy ships at sea. In July, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was travelling aboard the heavy cruiser Houston to Hawaii, accompanied by the New Orleans. Despite the location of the ship being top secret (and having made a detour to Clipperton Island after transiting the Panama Canal), the Macon successfully located the ships on July 19. Using the Macon's Sparrowhawk biplanes, newspapers and magazines were dropped to the president on the ship. Despite its success, Fleet Commander Admiral Joseph M. Reeves and other Navy officials were displeased with the unsanctioned demonstration. However, Rear Admiral Ernest J. King, who was in command of the Naval Bureau of Aviation, and the president were impressed. A communication from the Houston to the Macon after the mail delivery read: "from Houston: 1519 The President compliments you and your planes on your fine performance and excellent navigation 1210 and 1519 Well Done and thank you for the papers the President 1245."Category
Government & Politics
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