WAR DEPARTMENT 
                    OCT 26 1942         
              WASHINGTON
 
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT:
 
 
Subject: Return of Captured Mexican Flags.
 
     You have asked me to comment on the suggestion made 
by the Under Secretary of State that certain flags captured by 
our troops in the battle of Chapultepec be returned to the Mexi-
can Government as an expression of the fine relations which now 
exist between our two countries. Particular emphasis is placed 
on the desirability of returning those flags which were taken from 
the Cadets of the Mexican Military College who died in the defense 
of Chapultepec Castle during that battle. As has been pointed out, 
the Cadets who lost their lives there have come down through 
history as the child heroes of Mexico, and September 13th is set 
aside annually in commemoration of their death.
                    
     The flags that were captured in the Mexican War were 
deposited for preservation at the United States Military Academy 
at West Point. Many of these flags cannot be positively identified 
as having been captured in any particular battle. Only one flag 
has been identified as having been captured at Chapultepec Castle, 
but the unit from which this flag was taken has not been identified.
It is possible that this flag may have belonged to the Mexican 
Military College, but to date it has been impossible to establish 
its identity. Further investigation is being made in this regard.
 
               I am advised that, according to the law, all property 
taken from the enemy, such as the flag in question, becomes the 
property of the United States, and can only be disposed of in the 
manner suggested by the Under Secretary of State by special authori-
zation of the Congress.
 
               If you desire that one or more of the captured Mexican 
flags be returned to the Mexican Government, the War Department 
would be pleased to initiate action with the view to obtaining the 
necessary legislative authority.
 
 
                         Robert P Patterson
                         Acting Secretary of War