Remembering George Marshall:
A Conversation with Merrill Pasco

H. Merrill Pasco, served as a staff secretary on the War Department General Staff in World War II. During this time he had a daily and close association with General George C. Marshall. The interview provides insight into the seven-days-a-week, war-time operations of the Office of the Army Chief of Staff and General Marshall's relationship with civilian leaders (Winston Churchill, Harry Hopkins, Henry L. Stimson, Presidents Roosevelt and Truman, and congressional leaders) and military leaders (Eisenhower, King, and MacArthur). Colonel Pasco discusses the six tasks that Marshall dealt with in the management of the war and the decision to use the atomic bomb. Pasco also discusses the importance of Frank Capra's Why We Fight documentaries. Throughout the sometimes humorous interview, Pasco refers to Marshall's strength of character, his forceful personality, and his selfless service exemplified by his refusal to ask President Roosevelt for the assignment as the Supreme Allied Commander for the allied invasion of Europe. Running time approx. 56 min