Executive Order 9773—Disposal of the U. S. S. Lafayette (apv-4, Ex-normandie)

Whereas the United States Maritime Commission, by virtue of the authority vested in it by Executive Order 8771 of June 6, 1941,1 issued under the authority of section 1 of the act of June 6, 1941, 55 Stat. 242, took over, as of December 16, 1941, the title to the possession of the U. S. S. Lafayette (APV-4, Ex-Normandie), a foreign merchant vessel lying idle in waters within the jurisdiction of the United States; and

WHEREAS the French Government requested that the said vessel be returned to its former owners when the United States should no longer have need therefor; and

WHEREAS Executive Order No. 9001-A of December 27, 1941, authorized the sale of the said vessel to the former owners thereof when the United States should no longer have need therefor; and

WHEREAS a settlement has been reached with the French Government with respect to French claims against the Untied States on account of the said vessel; and

WEHREAS the Navy Department which heretofore has had possession and control of the said vessel, has declared it surplus for disposal by the United States Maritime Commission:

NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority contained in the said act of June 6, 1941, the Merchant Marine Act 1936, as mended, and the Surplus Property Act of 1944, and as President of the Untied States, it is hereby ordered as follows:

The said Executive Order No 9001-A of December 27, 1941, is revoked, and the United States Maritime Commission is authorized and directed to dispose of the U. S. S. Lafayette (APV-4 Ex-Normandie) in accordance with the provisions of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as amended, and other laws authorizing the sale of vessels.

HARRY S. TRUMAN

THE WHITE HOUSE,

September 3, 1946