The American Jewish Congress hailed this week-end the action of Navy Secretary Charles S. Thomas in granting a commission in the United States Naval Reserve to Midshipman Eugene Landy who, several months ago, was turned down for a commission on the grounds that his mother had once been a Communist. A message from Dr. Israel Goldstein, AJC president, to Secretary Thomas said that his action, which over ruled two Navy investigation boards, “effectively repudiates” the doctrine of guilt by kinship. Mr. Thomas said that he had discussed the case with Vice President Nixon.
Mr. Landy, 21, an honor graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, L.I., was denied a commission after his graduation this past August, although he personally was not involved with any organization or any activity believed to be influenced by Communists. At the time he was turned down, a Navy spokesman said that he had been too close to his mother.
Mr. Landy is now at Yale Law School, where he is studying admiralty law on a scholarship. He was second in his class and won a number of awards including one for excellence in naval science offered by the Daughters of the American Revolution. His appeal was carried forward by Adrian Unger, chairman of the New Jersey Commission on Law and Social Action of the American Jewish Congress.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
