Cited by G.W. Merck, 'Historical Report of War Research Service', Nov. 1944. National Academy of Sciences Archives. Committees on Biological Warfare. Box 5 Series 4: War Research Service.
Description:

'Early Steps Taken by the U.S. Government in Relation to B.W.

Before there was any unification of activity in b.w. several United States Government groups considered this subject independently and their efforts form the logical beginning of any narrative.

...

Independent of this early activity of the United States Public Health Service, the Office of the Surgeon General, USA, was also concerned with the possibility of b.w. particularly with reference to the protection of United States troops. G-2 had also been exploring the subject and at the same time, the Chemical Warfare Service had entered the field and had directed a small group of officers to study the posisbilities of b.w. (See Section II, pp. 3-4.)

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[ff. 13-14]

These independent efforts were soon to be joined. On July 15, 1941 the Office of the Surgeon General, USA, requested a committee of civilian scientists be set up to review the entire field. Before action was taken, the Office of the Secretary of War had begun an independent exploration of means by which the branches of the military services might most effectively combine in dealing with b.w. This resulted in a meeting being called by Mr. Harvey H. Bundy, Special Assistant to the Secretary of War, comprising representatives of the SGO, CWS, NAS and NRC. It was decided at this time:

1. That the Surgeon General (presumably because of the doctor's Hippocratic oath) could be responsible only for the defensive aspects of the problem, and that the Chemical Warfare Service would explore the offensive aspects.

2. That two civilian committees of scientists be formed to investigate all phases of b.w.

3. That the Navy be apprised of these plans and asked to collaborate.' (ff. 13-14)