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Memo 21x27cm, 5pp stapled top left. Printed on economy war time paper, heavily tanned, remarkably well preserved, with short closed tears and a little loss at edges (not affecting text), odd numbered pages ink stamped 17668. The Persian Gulf Command was formed in December 1943 to channel war supplies to the USSR through Iran and Soviet Azerbaijan. It was headed at this time by Major-General Donald Connolly. Addressed to "Personnel Concerned" for information, guidance and compliance, this lays out marriage guidance and procedures, the status of a wife who is not a US citizen, requirements for her entry into the US, time required for an immigration visa, and citizenship. Firstly, no marriage will be entered into without the permission of the Commanding General of this Theater. The prospective husband needs to provide evidence of financial status and ability to pay for the wife's passage to the US, and needs to abide by Iranian law. The ceremony will be performed in Tehran only, by a minister, priest, rabbi, or Chaplain of the US Army, with a US Consular Officer and 3 recognised witnesses present. Advice from the appropriate Legation needs to be sought for non-US citizens as marriage may invalidate her passport. As entry into the US is not assured, requirements need to be checked with the Consul at Tehran, with evidence of financial status showing the husband can support the wife, and references from acquaintances back home. The wife's police record needs to be submitted, with birth certificate, any other official records, a medical exam ("Dr D.S. Davies at the British Legation in Teheran is accepted by the United States Consul for this purpose"), etc, with additional requirements if the wife is an enemy alien. Time required for the Visa is vaguely stated as "several months", so application should be filed immediately after the marriage. Marriage does not confer US citizenship, which needs to be applied for soon after arrival. Such notoriously difficult policies provided a major obstacle for some 60-70,000 women wed by US servicemen during and immediately after WW2, seeking to start a new life in the US, many from countries proscribed by the 1924 Immigration Act. With pressure escalating to bring US personnel home with their new wives and minors, the Government enacted the "War Brides Act" on 28 Dec 1945 to expedite admission ("Coming To America: The War Brides Act of 1945", National WWII Museum, New Orleans). Very rare, with no other references found. Seller Inventory # 4943
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