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:

'CHRONOLOGY ON B.W.

...

August 18, 1941 - Colonel James S. Simmons, M.C., recommends further study in memorandum to Mr. H.H. Bundy, Special Assistant to the Secretary of War.

August 20, 1941 - Mr. Bundy called a meeting of the National Research Council Committee: Dr. Ross G. Harrison, Chairman, National Research Council, Dr. A.N. Richards, Chairman, Committee on Medical Research, OSDR, Dr. Lewis H. Weed, Chairman, Division of Medical Sciences, NRC, Colonel J.S. Simmons, Office of the Surgeon General, Lt. Colonel Jacobs, War Department General Staff, and Lt. Colonel M.E. Barker, Chief, Technical Division, CWS. This Committee advised the War Department to set up two committees: One committee for offense to be selected by the National Defense Research Committee, and one committee for defense to be requested by the Surgeon Genral from the National Research Council. The Central Scientific Committee of the Office of Emergency Management to be consulted for membership in each.' (f. 8)

 

'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.

...

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)