Official Document Text
Source: The American Presidency Project (UCSB Archive)
By virtue of the authority vested in me by the Uniform Code of Military Justice (Title 10, United States Code, Ch. 47), and as President of the United States, I hereby prescribe the following Manual for Courts-Martial, to be designated as "Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, 1969." 1345 This Manual shall be in force and effect in the armed forces of the United States on and after January 1, 1969, with respect to all court-martial processes taken on and after that date: Provided, That nothing contained in this Manual shall be construed to invalidate any investigation, trial in which arraignment has been had, or other action begun prior to January 1, 1969; and any such investigation, trial, or other action begun prior to that date may be completed in accordance with the applicable laws, Executive orders, and regulations pertaining to the various armed forces in the same manner and with the same effect as if this Manual had not been prescribed: Provided further, That nothing contained in this Manual shall be construed to make punishable any act done or omitted prior to the effective date of this Manual which was not punishable when done or omitted: Provided further, That the maximum punishment for an offense committed prior to January 1, 1969, shall not exceed the applicable limit in effect at the time of the commission of such offense: And provided further, That for cases arising under section 12 of the Act of May 5, 1950, 64' Stat. 147 (50 U.S.C. 740), the provisions of paragraph 110, Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, 1951, shall remain in effect. LYNDON B. JOHNSON The White House September 11, 1968