of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 791

BETHLEHEM STEEL, ARMY—NAVY "E" AWARD,

November 6, 1942

Baltimore

War news these last few days is more encouraging! The growing victory
of the British and American tank troops and flyers in Egypt may well prove
to be as Field Marshall Jan Christian Smuts, of South Africa suggests; "The
turning point in this war". But whether it will be this particular victory, or
some other engagement that definitely marks the beginning of the end for our
Axis enemies, one point already has been established to the satisfaction of every
American citizen.

Ultimately, the successful conduct of the war by America and the United
Nations will depend upon the achievements of America's workers, here in this
great Bethlehem Steel plant and in the thousands of other typical American
shops and industries now dedicated totally to the defeat of Hitler and his Allies.

The "soldiers and sailors manning the guns and ships; the tank crews and
flyers will have the final say, naturally. The Victory that must come to the
United Nations forces, if freedom is to be preserved throughout the world, will
be made possible, however, by the efforts of the workers here at Bethlehem,
together with hundreds of thousands of loyal 'production soldiers' in the other
great plants of our land.

If there is any single element that might be termed absolutely essential
to success in this world-wide struggle, it is steel—steel for the ships that must
carry America's fighting forces and their equipment and supplies to far off
fighting centers—steel for the tanks and guns that must go forth in unending
streams to supply millions of fighting men all over the world—steel for the
railroads of our own Country that must make, possible the speedy delivery of
all the needed raw materials, to the points where they are needed, on schedule.

When today, therefore, you see the coveted Army-Navy "E" Pennant flying
from the Bethlehem Steel flag staff, every worker here is entitled to consider it
a personal decoration, given by an appreciative Government for distinguished
service in the cause of Victory. All the employees and officials of this vast
organization, which contributes so mightily to the arming of American forces
today, 'can rightly feel that they are just as truly members of America's fighting
forces as are any of the men in uniform who today are doing their part in the
defense of the rights and the liberty of individuals everywhere.

Without supplies produced by American workers, they can't be successful.
With such outstanding efforts as have been recognized today by your Govern-
ment, they can and they will be successful. Their contribution may be the more
publicized, because human nature always will react to the thrills of personal
combat but, nevertheless, the roots of Victory are planted deeply in such plants
as this throughout America. You at Bethlehem have done your job extraordi-