February 20th, 1945

Transcript

Times Log Location Source

0843*

Steaming on course 240, speed 20 in company with USS Savannah, Murphy and Baldwin.

USS Quincy

TRP

8:44am

Gen. Edwin M. Watson died in his cabin of a cerebral hemorrhage. He had been ill since the return to the ship at Great Bitter Lake. Mrs. Watson was immediately informed of his passing, but for security reasons - to insure the safety of FDR's return voyage - it was not decided to make a public announcement until FDR reached the continental US.

USS Quincy

TRP

12:00pm

Course and position noted. Distance traveled since noon, 485 miles. Distance since Algiers, Tunisia 896 miles.

USS Quincy

TRP

5:23pm

Task group changed course to 267. Air coverage was furnished throughout the day by aircraft operating from US bases in North Africa.

USS Quincy

TRP

6:04pm

The USS Frankford was directed to leave formation and, when well clear, to transmit by radio several dispatches addresed to Washington, DC These dispatches pertained to arrangements for Gen. Edwin M. Watson's funeral.

USS Quincy

TRP

7:00pm

All ships of the task group set clocks back one hour to conform to Zone Plus One time.

USS Quincy

TRP

8:00pm

FDR and members of his Mess attended movies ("Frenchmen's Creek") in the Flag Cabin.

USS Quincy

TRP

ER

In Washington, DC

USH

Houseguest

Miss Fannie Hurst (arr. 12:30), Mrs. Frederic S. Greene (arr. 12:45), Michael M. Hare (arr. 3:00), Mrs. Joseph Lash (dep. 3:30), Col. John Boettiger (dep. 5:30)

USH

USH = White House Usher's Diary, STE = Stenographer's Diary, PC = Press Conference, TU = Tully's Appointment Diary

These transcripts are based on archival sources documenting President Roosevelt's daily activities, including the White House Usher's Log and the White House Stenographer's Diary. The transcripts were created for reference purposes. Because errors can occur in data entry, we encourage you to review and cite to the original sources displayed below.

 
 
 

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