Book Description

In May 1919, the War Department convened a board of officers in order to consider all recommendations looking to the improvement of the system of military justice, and to recommend to the War Department any changes in the Articles of War and administration of military justice in the Army that the board members believed to be necessary. The board of officers consisted of Maj. Gen. Francis J. Kernan, United States Army, Maj. Gen. John F. O'Ryan, New York National Guard, and Lt. Col. Hugh W. Ogden, judge advocate. Lt. Col. F. M. Barrows served as board recorder. The board invited all officers in command who currently exercised general court-martial jurisdiction, or who had exercised it, as well as all judge advocates, to make recommendations regarding the improvement of the system of military justice. Their report and recommendations, Proceedings and Report of Special War Department Board on Courts-Martial and Their Procedure, was issued on July 17, 1919.