The meeting with Admiral Wood was followed by a letter of application.

March
Twentieth
1 9 4 1

Comdr. H. R. Thurber, U.S.N.
Room 1050
Navy Department
Washington, D.C.

Dear Comdr. Thurber:
As I am an artist who has made a lifetime study of maritime lore, as well as historical research which I have used in my many big murals, apparently with telling effect; and as I am a small boat sailor and a thorough lover of the sea and ships, I would like to offer my services to my country by applying for a commission as a reserve officer in the United States Navy. This would enable me to do a thing which I trust would be of value to the government in the future as well as the present.
I propose to make paintings from sketches and drawings ashore and afloat of ships, yards, docks and all the many intricacies incorporated in the running of a mighty navy. For example, the turning over of our destroyers to Great Britain was an extraordinary event in the history of this country, and as far as I know, no painted record was made. That would be an interesting document to exhibit throughout the country within a few months, had a convincing record been made, and I am sure that it would be even more interesting fifty years from now. Already this type of destroyer is passing.
In England Muirhead Bone was at Scapa Flow in 1917-18 when the American fleet steamed in, and in this war he was on the cliffs at Dover at dawn to record the queer assortment of bottoms that brought the men back from Dunkerque. These and other contemporary records made by English painters for the Admiralty have already become so exciting to the American public that they were only recently published in "Life". I would willingly give my life and the knowledge of a lifetime to have a chance to make such records for our people. I know that at 90 Church Street under Comdr. O'Brien, McClelland Barclay is putting out posters and publicity for the Navy. My idea I feel, dove-tails with but does not overlap this more commercial branch of publicity. Theirs is a selling job, mine a recording one, for an historical record must be made by a man who thoroughly under-stands ships and knows how they perform in a seaway.
To show how sincere my interest has always been in helping to keep for posterity a record of maritime development, I have given freely of my time without remuneration to the enclosed list of nautical affiliations, together with many others not listed. In an entirely different field, it might interest you to know that I was commissioned by Columbia University, and am at the moment finishing, a large painting commemorating the visit of the King and queen of England to the University, as an historical record to be placed on the walls of the great library.
As I am thoroughly American, the first William Coale having landed in Virginia in 1620, I should like to donate these services were it economically possible. But through my efforts since a young man of eighteen I have made my living by painting, and having put up over thirty big mural decorations and many small paintings of ships, I have acquired a house in New York with a large studio which I would naturally wish to hold until my return to civilian life. Therefore if the Navy would accept my whole-hearted labor and endeavor, I must have the temerity to ask for a Reserve Officer's commission as a Lieutenant Commander, with the marriage, rent and travelling allowances, etc.
Trusting that this letter contains the information that you asked for, I am

Yours very sincerely,

GRIFFITH BAILY COALE

Then the governmental wheels started to turn.

Headquarters of the
Commandant Third Naval District
Federal Office Building, 90 Church Street
New York, N. Y.

April 1, 1941

Commander H. R. Thurber, USN
Public Relations Officer
Navy Department
Washington, D.C.

Dear Commander:
Five minutes after I got through talking with you on the telephone, I was in touch with Mr. Coale, who, in turn, came right down to see me. I have arranged to take Mr. Coale over to the Navy Yard personally, and see that he gets what he wants as far as the proper spot is concerned, to record the commissioning of the NORTH CAROLINA.
I have had all the heat turned on the matter of expediting his commission, that is possible. Commander Howe, Assistant to Captain MacFall, called Dater into his office and told him to push Mr. Coale's papers through without any delay whatsoever. Therefore, I have done everything that I can do for Mr. Coale.
Mr. Putnam, whom you sent here for application papers, has also been taken care of.

Sincerely yours,

JOHN T. TUTHILL, JR.
Lieutenant Commander, USNR
Public Relations Officer

GRIFFITH BAILY COALE
125 WEST ELEVENTH STREET
NEW YORK CITY

April
Twenty-first
1 9 4 1

Commander H. R. Thurber, U.S.N.
Room 1050
Navy Department
Washington, D. C.

Dear Commander Thurber:
I am delighted to report to you that I qualified at my physical examination, and have finally obtained a number of extra papers that the New York office required, and have filled out and turned in every form.
At 90 Church Street on one of my many visits, last Thursday Lieut. Bulkley showed me a teletype that had just come from Washington asking that my commission be expedited, which seemed to please all my friends in Lieut. Comdr. Tuthill's office. Therefore I await your further orders with keen anticipation.

Sincerely yours.

GRIFFITH BAILY COALE

Headquarters of the
Commandant Third Naval District
Federal Office Building, 90 Church Street
New York, N. Y.

May 2,1941

Commander H. R. Thurber, U.S.N.
Public Relations Officer
Navy Department
Washington, D.C.

Dear Commander Thurber:
We have checked into the application of Griffith Bailey Coale, and the status at the moment is as follows:
Griffith Bailey Coale - Investigation assigned April 21st, to Lieut. John Kremer. (Kremer is an officer of my section not on active duty ). Lieut. Kremer has advised us that he has completed the investigation, is having it typed up, and will have it in the District Intelligence Office on Monday, May 5th.

Cordial1y,

JOHN T. TUTHILL, JR.
Lieutenant Commander, USNR.
Public Relations Officer.

In Griff's report from January 4, 1943, he noted the final steps of his start in the Navy:

Aug 9 - 1500 Commissioned Lieutenant Commander, USNR, D-V(S), #113470, at Headquarters Third Naval District, 90 Church St., New York City. Rank from July 2, 1941. Instructed to return home and await orders. Spent this intervening time in studying Navy regulations, usages, nomenclature, etc., supplied by 90 Church Street, and bought and read a number of books.

Aug 30 - Orders received to report for Physical Examination at 90 Church Street.

Sep 4 - Reported for Physical Examination at 90 Church Street. Qualified.

Sep 15 - 0900 Reported to the Director of Public Relations, Navy Department, Washington, D. C., for active duty in the Public Relations Office.

Sep 16 Office of Public Relations, Navy Department, Washington, D. C., Sep 21 in Photographic Section, Lieut. Comdr. E. John Long, who gave me every co-operation.

Sep 22 - Received orders to proceed to Newport, R.I., to report for transportation to Newfoundland. Left Navy Department, Washington, 1600.

These were the orders:

September 22, 1941

From: Director, Office of Public Relations

To: Lt. Comdr. Griffith B. Coale, USNR.

Subject: Sketching, drawing or painting for data to be used for mural decorations and paintings desired by the Office of Public Relations.

1. You are being assigned for public relations duty in accordance with the authority granted by Admiral E. J. King, Commander in Chief of the Atlantic Fleet, to sketch and collect data where and when, in your judgment, it is necessary for background in portraying such historic subjects as:

(a) Founding of, and unclassified operations at U.S. Base at Argentia, N.F.

(b) U.S. Naval Vessels entering the harbor of Reykjavik Iceland. Landing of Marines, July 7, 1941.

(c) Life and routine activities, U.S. Naval ships on patrol, etc. Transports connected with the port of Reykjavik.

(d) And other historic and picturesque activities in connection with outlying U.S. naval establishments and ships.

2. All of your activities, of course, will be conducted at the convenience and discretion of the Executive Officers of ships and planes you board in connection with your duties, and of Senior Officers present at land bases.

3. To assist you in obtaining background materiel, the Recruiting Bureau, Bureau of Navigation, has assigned Chief Photographer Francis X, Clasby, who will take photographs in connection with your activities. These photographs are to be returned to the Office of Public Relations for review.

4. Upon completion of your duties you are to report to the Office of Public Relations, Washington, D.C.

 A. J. HEPBURN
Rear Admiral, USN
Director, Office of Public Relations

With this Griff was in the Navy and beginning a remarkable journey.

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