There never was a doubt that the people of the Philippines were worthy of their independence.

Our decency was mistaken for weakness.

The United States promised to help build a new Nation in the Pacific, a Nation whose ideals, like our own, were liberty and equality and the democratic way of life.

The whole American Nation today exults at the news that the gallant men under your command have landed on Philippine soil.

You have the Nation's gratitude and the Nation's prayers for success as you and your men fight your way back to Bataan.

I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of War to designate the Commanding General, United States Army Forces, Pacific Ocean Areas, as the military commander within the meaning of the act of March 21, 1942.

This year, more than ever, we need the friendly aid and assistance of all these great humanitarian agencies for our fighting forces.

Wherever our boys in the services go, they are welcomed not only as liberators but as good friends.

This gift of friendship—this participation in our community war appeal- is one war job we are not compelled to do, but it is one that we all willingly wish to do.

I know that we will keep faith with them, as they are keeping it with us, until their job is done.

The survival of that spirit is more important than ever.

I am deeply grateful, therefore, for this award.

The people of the United States will never forget how the other American Republics... rallied to our common defense.

This means that if we do not now take effective measures to prevent another world war...

We have not labored long and faithfully to build in this New World a system of international security and cooperation—merely to let it be dissipated...

Today—every day—many times that number of men and many tons of cargo are carried across the ocean by air—they go across in a few hours.

When that military objective is accomplished—and much of it has not yet been accomplished—the Italian people will be free to work out their own destiny, under a government of their own choosing.

We shall require—all of us—the same determination, the same devotion, as we steer our course through the great age of exploration...