Volunteering to Help FDR

March 22, 2025 Receiving a phone call on the last Tuesday evening in March 1945, Frank Tuttle, the retired Amy Major and best friend of former Michigan Normal College football and baseball star Mickey Mathews, identified himself, listened, and handed the receiver to Mickey. Frank indicated the caller, Frank said, was their “old friend John Becker, head of the FBI’s Detroit Office.” Pausing, Frank added, “But he’s calling from Washington. Now what?”

Taking the receiver, Mickey, and with him Frank, agreed to travel to Washington at the off-the-record request of President Franklin Roosevelt. It seemed threats had been made on FDR’s life as he was leaving for a rest of two weeks at his cottage in Warm Springs, Georgia. The next day Mickey and Frank were riding an Army Air Force plane to Washington, DC, and from there they would travel on the President’s  Special Train to Warm Springs. Mickey soon asked their good friend Tommy Jefferson to join them in Warm Springs, but Tommy would have to board a segregated train in Virginia before completing his train journey.

From Jim Sargent, Warm Springs Mystery (Doce Blant Publishing, 2022), page 56:

On FDR’s train a day one day later, Mickey, after Frank took a closer look at a suspicious couple seated nearby, returned his gaze to DuPont, who was saying, “… at [Flint] Central I played mostly end on offense and linebacker on defense. But really, we had a weak team in 1933 and 1934.”

[Agent] Lawton elbowed him. “Tell them what you told me about the President’s health.”

[Agent] DuPont leaned forward, lowering his voice. “We’re off the record here, right?”

Mickey nodded, and Pete glanced around. “The President’s regular doctor is a Navy Vice Admiral,” he said, keeping his voice low. “His name is Ross McIntire, but he’s not along for this trip. A few months ago Roosevelt was examined by Doctor Howard Breunn, head of Cardiology at the Bethesda Naval Hospital. Breunn is on the train. Having a cardiologist along says the President’s health is not good.”

Lawton whispered, “Pete saw the President being carried onto the train. We’re sorry to say he really doesn’t look very good.” He lowered his eyes for a moment. “He’s the only President I really remember….” He cleared his throat, leaving the thought unfinished.

“We understand what you’re saying,” Frank said, his deep voice an octave lower than usual. “But everyone we’ve talked to says Roosevelt always gets a lift out of coming to Warm Springs. They say the warm mineral water is very good for people, including for the polio patients.”

Lawton and DuPont nodded slowly. Frank continued: “I think we should drop the subject.” Mickey was agreeing as Frank stood up and stretched.

Mickey got up. “You coming, Jack? I want to have the porter fix the berths for tonight.”

Both agents stood up. DuPont said, “Yeah, it’s time to check on the sleeper car.”

Remember, Warm Spring Mystery has this previously untold account of armed agents trying to reach FDR in 1945.