Executive Order 8972—Authorizing the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy to Establish and Maintain Military Guard and Patrols, and to Take Other Appropriate Measures to Protect Certain National-Defense Material, Premises, and Utilities From Injury or Destruction

Whereas the United States is now at war; and

Whereas there exists a serious and Immediate potential danger of sabotage to national-defense material, national defense premises, and national-defense utilities which may menace our maximum productive effort; and

Whereas the Congress of the United States has In recent enactments recognized this danger by enjoining efforts to injure, Interfere with, or obstruct the national defense, and providing severe penalties therefor; and

Whereas It Is considered necessary in the Interests of national defense that, in particular Situations where hazardous, dangerous. or other unfavorable conditions may from time to time exist. special precautionary measures be taken by establishing and maintaining military guards and patrols or other appropriate means to protect from injury or destruction national-defense material, national defense premises, and national-defense utilities:

Now, Therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States, and Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of War, whenever he deems such action to be necessary or desirable, and the Secretary of the Navy, whenever he deems such action to be necessary or desirable, to establish and maintain military guards and patrols, and to take other appropriate measures, to protect from Injury or destruction national-defense material, national-defense premises, and national defense utilities, as defined In the act of April 20, 1918, 40 Stat. 533, as amended by the act of November 30, 1940, 54 Stat. 1220, and the act of August 21, 1941, 55 Stat. 655.

This order shall not be construed as limiting or modifying the duty and responsibility of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice, with respect to the investigation of alleged acts of sabotage.

FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT

The White House,
December 12, 1941.